SHIRLEY MATHEW
Empowering Transformation Through Soul Coaching
With a diverse background spanning the corporate world, entrepreneurship, and education, Shirley Mathew’s path has been one of continuous evolution—personally, professionally, and spiritually. But her most profound transformation came when she stepped into her true calling: helping others reclaim their power through soul coaching.
As a Certified Soul Coaching® Practitioner, Shirley blends her wealth of experience to guide individuals, especially parents and educators, toward self-awareness, authenticity, and empowerment. Through her platform, Train Every Muscle, she equips people with the tools they need to rewrite their personal narratives and create lasting change in their own lives and in the lives of those they serve.
Shirley’s personal journey has been deeply intertwined with love, faith, and self-reflection. Her bond with her husband, which began when she was just 11 years old, has been a constant source of strength and growth. Throughout their 18-year marriage, Shirley and her husband have navigated life’s challenges with friendship and faith as their foundation. Together, they are raising two teenagers—who, in many ways, have served as catalysts for Shirley’s own healing journey.
During her Zoom interview with VBD Magazine, Shirley shared her inspiring journey and the transformative power of soul coaching. With a calm, reassuring presence, she offered a glimpse into her practice—demonstrating how moments of introspection and guided self-awareness can create shifts in mindset, ultimately leading to lasting transformation.
FINDING HER PATH
Shirley was born in Houston, Texas, to Indian immigrant parents, but at a young age, her family relocated to New York, bringing a major cultural shift. She describes the transition as “a complete culture shock,” moving from a suburban Texas life to the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere of New York City.
After earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Pace University in New York, Shirley felt a strong pull to return to Texas. “I always knew I wanted to go back, but I didn’t know how the door would open. I just knew New York wasn’t for me, and if I stayed, I wouldn’t make it,” she recalls.
Shirley’s faith played an integral role in her journey. “I started my spiritual journey after college. I attended church frequently, accepted Christ, and things began shifting internally. Living in New York, I just felt like I was coming out of alignment, with the fast-paced lifestyle that didn’t match where my heart was leading me.”
After returning to Texas, Shirley followed a familiar pattern—entering the corporate world and adopting the hustle-and-grind mindset she had learned in New York. In the corporate space, she developed a strong foundation in leadership, problem-solving, and fostering meaningful connections. However, she soon realized that while professional success was fulfilling in some ways, it lacked the deeper purpose she craved.
FROM CORPORATE LEADERSHIP TO SOUL COACHING
The desire for deeper impact continued to stir within her, leading Shirley to explore paths that blended her skills, passion, and a greater sense of purpose. She transitioned into entrepreneurship, running her own business. Yet, it was her seven years as a teacher that truly ignited her passion for guiding and nurturing others.
“I was laid out on the floor journaling, asking God, ‘What is my purpose? I don’t understand. You pulled me out of teaching, out of everything that I thought was grounding me.’ And the words kept coming back to me: Soul Coach.”
At first, she hesitated. “It went against everything I had been taught. I was skeptical—it wasn’t traditional. But I could feel the Holy Spirit drawing me in. And when I finally trusted, I realized this was where I was meant to be. This is the work I was born to do.”
“I always questioned my journey. There was so much self-doubt, always looking externally for validation. My career path was unconventional—I took leaps of faith, shifting from corporate work to education, to business ownership. But every experience led me to this moment, where I realized I was being called to deeper healing work.”
WHAT IS SOUL COACHING?
Soul Coaching® is not therapy, but a deep, transformative process that helps individuals reconnect with their authentic selves and heal emotional wounds. At its core, soul coaching helps individuals:
· Release limiting beliefs and past traumas.
· Navigate life’s transitions with clarity and confidence.
· Develop mindfulness and self-awareness.
· Break free from the cycle of self-doubt and fear.
“We all carry inner stories—some serve us, some hold us back,” says Shirley. “Soul coaching allows us to unravel those stories, release what no longer serves us, and step into our full potential.”
With this discovery, Through Train Every Muscle, Shirley’s Soul Coaching® practice was established.
HEALING THROUGH BREATH AND BODY AWARENESS
Whether through one-on-one coaching, group programs, or workshops, Shirley’s work is dedicated to helping individuals awaken to their true potential and create a ripple effect of positive change.
“We all carry within us the wisdom we seek,” Shirley explains. “My role is to help you quiet the noise, tune into your inner guidance, and step into the most empowered version of yourself.”
Through her coaching, Shirley helps individuals recognize that their past does not define their future. She is a firm believer that we all have the power to rewrite our stories, reclaim our purpose, and step into the life we are meant to live. “Every single one of us carries a story—some of it empowering, some of it limiting,” she says. “But the beautiful thing is that we have the power to rewrite that narrative at any moment.”
One of the key aspects of Shirley’s coaching practice is nervous system regulation. “Most people are in a constant state of fight-or-flight without realizing it. Their bodies are in survival mode 24/7. Before we can truly heal, we have to calm the nervous system. That’s where breathwork and mindfulness come in.”
Shirley emphasizes that healing isn’t just about the mind—it’s about the body, too. “Trauma is stored in the body. If we don’t release it, it manifests as pain, tension, even illness. You can’t just pray it away. Healing requires action. Faith without works is dead. God gives us the tools—we have to use them. Through movement, breathwork, and mindfulness, we can begin to free ourselves.”
BREAKING GENERATIONAL PATTERNS
A key element of Shirley’s work is helping people break free from generational cycles.
“Many of the patterns we struggle with didn’t start with us. Studies show that DNA carries memories from up to 14 generations before us. That means the fears, doubts, and struggles we experience may not even be ours. But healing is our responsibility.”
By choosing to heal, individuals can rewrite their family’s narrative. “When I began this work, I saw the effects ripple through my family. My children, my husband, even my extended family—they all benefited. When one person heals, it shifts the entire bloodline.”
Read more about Shirley Mathew: Subscribe to VBD Magazine's March 2025 Issue (Free)
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Website: https://www.traineverymuscle.com
Photo Credits: Me Ra Koh
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