Shannon Perry is a woman of many talents. A former school counselor and professional singer, Shannon is passionate about helping women find purpose. She’s a humorous, down-to-earth speaker who hosts a weekly TV show and is the author of several books including Grace and Guts, which uses relatable stories to give practical solutions for everyday life.
What does it mean to have grace and guts?
In one year, my best friend, my mom, and my dad were diagnosed with cancer, I lost part of my finger in a freak horse accident and our property was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. In that same year, my only child was deployed to the Middle East, doctors believed they found cancer in my eye and my mom passed away. I wrote the book Grace and Guts because I desperately needed grace (divine, unmerited favor) and guts (the courage to do something) to survive the punches being thrown my way. When life hits us repeatedly, we can find victory when we have the guts to enter the ring, the grace to endure the fight and throw the knockout punch of truth. For me, that truth is found in the Bible.
Why do you share so many personal stories in your work?
I believe stories help make me relatable. Getting stuck in a toilet paper holder in the Nashville airport, getting my lips injected with collagen the day before an event (my lips were numb) and leaving a sandwich in my purse for two weeks are just a couple of the stories I tell. I’ve always believed that humor combined with God’s word is a winning combination. Women need to laugh and they want truth. Stories are a great way to help deliver both.
The holidays look different this year for many people. What message do you have for this season?
Gratitude changes our thinking. If we have a roof over our head, food to eat and people to love, we are blessed. This pandemic has done a lot, but it can’t dictate the attitude of our heart, the things we fix our thoughts on, or determine the foundation of our hope. What we choose to think on is key this holiday.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
My favorite story to tell is how I became a mom. My son, Sean, was my first-grade student and was raised by a single father. Ten years later, his daddy and I reconnected and married. I never had children and that little boy who never had a mom is now my son. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and is a C-17 Pilot for our United States Air Force.
