Meet Cathy Reilly of Sharing The Shine in Littleton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Reilly.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cathy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I share my story as I wish to help others learn to be their own advocate in life and wellness. I believe we are all a gift and bring value and if I can help one person to shift into thinking they have a voice and have the ability be their own advocate (ideally without going into a hospital), then my journey is worth it.

This story starts and ends in the hospital. In 2010, unbeknownst to me, I had an ectopic pregnancy and my fallopian tube had burst. The pain continued to build throughout the day, but because I was raised with the “don’t be a bother” mindset, I didn’t call anyone for help. (I was telling myself it’s just gas. I got this.) I waited for my husband to get home. By the time we got to the hospital, they rushed me in for emergency surgery.

If one hospital visit wasn’t enough, I ended up having two more surgeries in a four-month time span. One of those surgeries was for a detached retina. (Just so you know, that wasn’t fun.)

The recovery from the eye surgery was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was heavily medicated for six weeks and couldn’t function. My six-year-old daughter was left to bring me food and drink. It gave me a lot of time to think. During my recovery, I realized that while I was doing my best to be a good parent, I wasn’t being a good example on how to live life. The words you say are only a portion of the message you send. I had to be a living example. I had to start taking care of myself so my daughter could learn how to take care of herself.

After leaving the hospital in 2010, I started to focus on my own wellness, inside and out. I became my own advocate. I researched medications and natural solutions, I questioned medical plans for recovery, started to eat better and even removed all toxins from my home and environment. I attended empowerment workshops, hired a coach and started to recite my own self-empowerment mantras.

It was time for me to BE the example for my daughter. To raise a strong, empowered, educated woman, I needed to be a strong, empowered, educated woman. I learned how to be my own advocate.  

Fast forward to 2016, my work was put to the test. I was faced with yet another health crisis (because that’s just how I roll.) Blood clots covering both lungs. This time, when I knew something was wrong, I didn’t hesitate to ask for help and headed to the hospital right away. The doctors put me on medications, but because of the research I had done, I knew they would only make my condition worse. This was the time to put my advocacy and empowerment practice into action. I challenged my doctors; I did my own research; I had continuous dialog with all my doctors and made them talk to each other (news flash – that can happen). I forced them to think outside the box (by way of natural solutions). Collectively, we made my recovery a success! I stand here today because I learned to be my own advocate. I stand here today strong in mind, body, and spirit.

I now teach others, mentor others, how to be their own best advocate.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, there were many struggles in my journey, including facing the reality that that today is a gift and tomorrow isn’t promised. What we do today and everyday matters.

A few lessons – learning how to ask for help! It’s not easy and I learned tools that help what I call the Itty Bitty $hitty Committee to be able to ask for help, to feel worthy of receiving help and know that I matter. I also learned how to use my voice so that I could ask for help. I learned how to pay attention to my body, my mind, my environment, and question others.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Sharing The Shine story. Tell us more about the business.
I am a Personal Wellness Specialist. I work with individuals, household and companies to educate on how to shift into wellness to avoid hospital visits, reduce medication, increase energy and be your own best advocate. There are so many things in our environment right now that disrupts our health and wellness and it’s time to take our wellness back.

I live what I teach. I learned the hard way how to be my best advocate. It’s a constant state of work and it’s a journey that I am honored to still be on. If I can help one person shift into their own wellness, into being their own advocate, then all the hospital visits and lessons I learned is worth it.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I see luck as being the same thing as the grace of God. I should not be here. My doctors told me that, not once but twice. Yet here I am sharing my story and helping others make better choices. He’s got a plan and I am on this journey until He tells me it’s over.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sharingtheshine.com
• Phone: 720.984.5751
• Email: creilly@sharingtheshine.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharetheshine/

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.