Meet Shannon Pfeffer | Board-Certified Health & Nutrition Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shannon Pfeffer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shannon, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
With years of experience in the high-pressure world of corporate food marketing and as a holistic health coach, my background has allowed me to create a consulting arm for my business. I work with young and established health, wellness, and mental health companies to develop, launch digital products, and grow brands.

Through my work, I’m not just bringing brands to the forefront; I’m making wellness and personal health accessible. I’m breaking down the barriers that have long made it seem like only the wealthy have the right to properly care for themselves. Everyone, everywhere, should feel in control of their health and have the tools to address their unique needs.

The world would be a better place if we knew how to put our health and wellness first. There’s a reason flight attendants still tell you to put an oxygen mask on before helping anyone else. You are the most important part of the puzzle. By taking care of yourself first, you show up better for those around you and as a citizen of this world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I created Shannon Pfeffer Wellness because I know that taking control of your health changes your life. It changed mine.As a former corporate ladder climber in the food and tech industries, I knew burnout far too well and what a toll it takes on our bodies. That after-work drink or two to take the edge off felt great at the moment but not the next day. The working all night or weekend to impress a new boss or prove you’re good enough for your promotion – running on fumes. Missing out on important things for your family or friends because you didn’t have the energy – I’ve been there too many times. I spent years being constantly sick, bloated, and using a lot of “glowy” makeup to amp up a sallow complexion that I thought was normal. Until I realized it wasn’t.

I did what every good strategist does—research! With deep understanding and knowledge, I experimented with modalities, supplements, eating plans, etc. Over time, I discovered a proven method that teaches you how to feel good again. I started testing it on family and friends, and remarkably, they started to feel better, too – more energy, less bloating, better handling of their stress, etc. I knew I was onto something, so I took the steps to turn my idea into a reality.

I shifted gears and was accepted into Stanford’s Graduate School of Business for a Women’s Leadership program to bring my health coaching business to life. Shortly after starting the business, I became certified as a holistic coach and nutritionist through the prestigious Institute for Integrative Nutrition and spent another year training, studying, and passing the NBC-HWC board exam and the CNC board exams.   

Today, I run Shannon Pfeffer Wellness full-time and coach clients 1:1 or in a group setting with my team. I also partner with founders to develop and launch digital products and grow their brands in health, wellness, and mental health.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
After living in LA for over 15 years, I’ve become such a creature of habit. And I’ve also tried out all the city’s must-tries. These are my go-to’s for every occasion:

Go with a group: Din Tai Fung
Any location is equally delicious. Order a couple of items from each section of the menu. Two simple veggie items stand out: the cucumber appetizer and the steamed bok choy.

Date night: Son of a Gun
This tiny, intimate restaurant has been around for over ten years, and it just keeps getting better and better. Their lobster roll and fried chicken sandwich are known standouts, but the peel-and-eat shrimp has long been my under-the-radar favorite.

Celebratory Meal: Connie & Ted’s
The best martini’s in the city, alongside the oyster’s Rockafeller, fresh grilled fish, and some of the finest whoopie pies, make this classic meal one to remember.

Best Sushi: The Brothers
Deep in the Valley, but worth the drive is The Brothers. It’s very LA, with a nearby strip mall-like sushi spot appearance. The decor doesn’t matter when the food is fresh and good. And a comparable meal to one I had in Japan.

Best Burger: Standing’s
This seasonal pop-up has very limited hours, but the burgers made by Burger Papi, Jose, of Standing’s, are next level. They are simple, juicy, and flavorful—everything you would want in a burger.

Best Smoothie: Erewhon
While spending $20+ on a smoothie isn’t something to blink an eye at, despite how weird the ingredients sound, you can’t go wrong with any of the smoothies on the menu, especially the seasonal collabs.

Best Coffee: Coffea
Another hidden gem in the Valley. This teeny coffee shop makes the fastest lattes in town and also the most flavorful. Classic flavors, great coffee, nailing it every single time.

Best Wellness Shop: goop
Head over to the Brentwood Country Mart to check out goop IRL. The store is expertly curated, and you’re bound to find something for yourself or an outrageous gift for your best friend.

Best Bookstore: Chevalier’s
If they don’t have what you’re looking for in-store, they’ll order it or recommend something else that you’ll totally dig. The staff has been there long-term, so they get to know their customers by their first names—a rarity in this city.

Best Concert Venue: The Hollywood Bowl
You can’t go wrong with any concert, movie, or event at the Bowl. From the epic sunsets to delicious food to people-watching to the inevitable end-of-the-night fireworks, it’s LA in a nutshell.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here today without my family—parents and grandparents—and the family I made—husband and three kids. There aren’t a lot of no’s in my life or limiting beliefs. There’s an incredible amount of support and love. If that’s your starting point, then there’s less fear about creating your own path, you just go. I’ve failed over and over and over again, but my family sticks by me. Because they believe, like I do, in “fail, fail, fail, fail, win.” You learn from your failures to eventually win.

Website: https://www.thisissyrup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonpfef/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonpfeffer

Image Credits
Emily Ulmer, Molly Hauge