COVER STORY
Courtney Dawn Shaw
TV/Radio Host, Author, Spokesperson,
Mrs. Florida America 2014-15
H
Has anyone ever asked you how you
got into your line of work? Well, I get
asked that question quite frequently. I
never went to school for broadcasting
or journalism. As a matter of fact, I
never finished my college degree. I got
certified as a personal trainer right out
of high school and started working at a
gym while going to community college.
As a former athlete, I found a passion
helping people get healthy spirit, soul,
and body. I fell in love with this process
so much that I started my own personal
training business and learned what it
was like to be a young entrepreneur.
My husband, Jeff, and I teamed up
to co-author a national health and
wellness curriculum called FIT 2-B FREE
Movement. We were the hands and feet
of the Let’s Move initiative in the faith-
based community. We also became
members of the President’s Council on
Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and helped
be a part of one million Americans
earning their Presidential Active Lifestyle
award. We served so many people
across the country and inspired them
to take their health back. This led us to
appearing on a local television show
to talk about our curriculum and share
success stories. I was asked to come
back as a health expert, and not long
after, they asked me to host women’s
inspirational show called, “Let’s Chat.”
Here’s the kicker—I had never hosted a
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TV show before! There were some
amazing people who took me under
their wing and mentored me. This
was a volunteer position where I
learned so much about production
and television. I discovered talents
and strengths that I didn’t even know
I had. I helped come up with show
topics, booked guests, host, and help
coordinate filming days. I just had
our daughter during this time and
had a 5 year old little boy. I was busy
serving my family and serving at My
Christian Films. We ended up filming
14 episodes and I learned so much
during that experience.
Not too long after I met my husband,
I started helping him in youth ministry
and volunteered my time pouring into
the next generation. I loved being able
to share my struggles and help them
get unstuck from peer pressure and the
difficulties of life as a teenager.