In this powerful Spotlight Series episode of the Fair Game Podcast, co‑hosts Lauren O’Brien and Anika Howard sit down with author, executive, speaker, and transformational leader Shantel Love—a woman whose story embodies resilience, reinvention, and the courage to rewrite your own narrative. Recorded at the Light & Wonder Studios, this conversation dives deep into mindset, rejection, identity, and the extraordinary strength that comes from owning your truth.
The episode opens with Lauren and Anika reflecting on their own mindset shifts—moments when they had to move from feeling powerless to reclaiming agency in their careers. Their vulnerability sets the tone for Shantel’s remarkable journey, which begins with her upbringing as the daughter of a 15‑year‑old mother working four minimum‑wage jobs. Shantel shares how she once carried shame about her beginnings, often hiding the truth to fit into corporate spaces. But a pivotal moment early in her career—when she chose honesty over hiding—became the catalyst for her transformation. She learned that while people may label you, you decide what those labels mean.
Shantel’s story is one of relentless determination. After relocating from California to Texas, she took a major step back—financially, professionally, and emotionally—moving from a six‑figure leadership role to an entry‑level sales job making $40,000 a year. She describes the humbling experience of starting over, making 120 cold calls a day, facing constant rejection, and learning to reframe “no” as “not right now.” That mindset shift became foundational to her growth.
Through perseverance, strategic networking, and a commitment to excellence, Shantel quickly rose through the ranks. She was tapped for leadership roles, promoted into director positions, and eventually entrusted with a $19 million customer service transformation project—an initiative that led to her becoming Vice President of Customer Success at the world’s largest learning company. Her journey is a testament to the power of clarity, consistency, and courage.
Shantel also shares how her speaking and authorship career emerged organically. As colleagues and professionals across industries sought her guidance, she realized she needed a scalable way to share her strategies. The result was her book, Promote Your Damn Self, which teaches readers how to advocate for their value, build social capital, and reimagine rejection as a tool for growth. Her message is clear: promoting yourself starts in your mind long before it shows up in your career.
This episode is an inspiring reminder that your beginnings do not define your destiny—and that every setback can be the setup for something greater. Shantel’s story will leave listeners feeling empowered, energized, and ready to step boldly into their own potential.