Hey, I’m Shannon Mary. I’m a NeuroEmotional Coach trained by The Center for Emotional Education, here to help you feel deeply, think clearly and lead powerfully – in that order. Because when you get those 3 things right, in that order, anything becomes possible.

86% of start-ups in South Africa fail – but not because the ideas aren’t good…

They fail because the people running them are burnt out, stuck in survival mode, or making emotionally clouded decisions. I know because I used to be one of them.
Businesses are built by people. And people make decisions.
And if those decisions aren’t coming from a state of strategic clarity, the consequences ripple through operations, culture, and ultimately, profit.

Emotional clarity is an untapped asset in South African business.

I believe entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of this country – a driving force for growth, progress and community elevation.
But it’s not just about having good ideas.
It’s about the state of the people leading them.

South Africa needs regulated entrepreneurs and leaders, now more than ever.

Grounded, clear-minded humans who can lead with vision, resilience, and emotional intelligence, and model the way for others to do the same. Because the more we learn to work in alignment with our nervous systems, instead of against them, the more capable we become of building sustainable businesses, creating real change, and shaping a better future for South Africa from the inside out.

When I look back at my 20+ years as an entrepreneur, one thing is crystal clear:

The missing piece, the one that would’ve helped me get out of my own way so much faster, was realising just how foundational emotional regulation is to everything: clear thinking, consistent action, confident decision making, healthy boundaries, navigating conflict, and building a business that actually lasts.

It impacts every part of how we operate as entrepreneurs.

Because if our nervous systems are dysregulated, we’re not making decisions from clarity – we’re reacting from fear, ego, decision overwhelm, or outdated programming. And we will pay for that down the line, when we become part of the 86% that fail.

Learning how to “Speak Brain” – was a game changer for me.

Once I learnt how to assess my own brain state and elevate it in real time, everything changed.
I was able to lead in a way that brought out the best in others.
I could connect more deeply – with clients, collaborators, and my own values.
The vision to sell and exit my own business became a reality.
I stopped scattering my energy and started channelling it into what actually mattered.

Nervous system work is about reaching a state of aligned performance.

The kind that doesn’t cost you your sanity or your soul.
And when you’re aligned – emotionally, mentally, and physiologically – you make decisions that actually move things forward, without burning yourself out.

What became possible once I understood my nervous system?

I sold the business I’d spent 10 years building and, for the first time in my life, walked away with financial security. This was in a space where I’d been told by investors time and time again, “It’s very rare to sell a business this small and completely walk away.” But I stayed clear on my vision. I knew the value of what I’d built, the reputation, the community and operating systems behind it.
I was clear in my numbers, calm in negotiations, and confident in my vision – because I was making decisions from a regulated nervous system, not from fear or urgency. That’s what nervous system mastery makes possible.

The real ROI of emotional regulation?