Shawnee H.

Shawnee Harkins came from the humblest of beginnings in Dallas, Texas before moving away at the age of seventeen. Wanting to find a place where her true self could surface, California was the natural choice. Adjustment to California did not come without some major obstacles and sacrifice, including an almost fatal car and rollerblading collision at age eighteen that molded Shawnee into the person she is today. After that tragedy and triumph, She gave back to her community for some time as both a Fire Fighter and EMT, a childhood dream, before finding her true passion.

"The collision left me with significant brain damage, tetraplegia (quadriplegia), and on life support. My prognosis was to die or remain a vegetable. It was a miracle, I survived the accident, and regained feeling and movement in my body. My accident taught me that life is precious. I learned first hand the value of mental and physical strength. The greatest lessons I learned throughout my recovery are courage and persistence. When I am faced with the repercussions of head traumas and spinal cord injury, my internal flame never burns out and there still remains a twinkle in my eye! This is my second chance at life and I choose to spend it committed to helping others."
Shawnee's true passion for physical fitness, not only began as an athlete in her youth, but also surfaced from her time in the medical field as a fire fighter and emergency medical technician, including her post trauma recovery after the car and rollerblading collision. Combined with her entrepreneurial heart and dedication to helping others, Shawnee fell in love with fitness training and decided to make this her career. After gaining significant experience during her employment at Gold's Gym, Shawnee took her skills and business sense to the streets opening her own private business.

Los Angeles based, Celebrity Trainer and Consultant, Shawnee Harkins has joined forces with Jillian Michaels as her Master Trainer to launch Michaels' newest fitness program, "BodyShred." Harkins' gifts of human connection and encouragement naturally landed her in the spotlight as a Health and Fitness Television/Media Personality and Motivational Public Speaker. Her openness to share her personal story from defeat to victory truly magnifies the essence of inspiration and motivation. Shawnee continues to be a great leader in the sports and fitness movement through joining Athlete Ally as an Ambassador. Harkins' combines her passion for fitness and love of writing, making her an authoritative expert in the health and fitness industry.

Shawnee has trained Celebrities such as "Criminal Minds" star, Kirsten Vangsness, Dr. Phil contestants, top movie and television producers, writers, athletes, and anyone who is ready for a healthy lifestyle change!

She continued to move and shake in the health and fitness world, partnering with Shake Weight as their brand ambassador in 2011. Harkins' created, developed and launched the NEW Shake Weight Class Fitness Program in Southern CA. Harkins' co wrote the Accredited Shake Weight Instructors manual and certified fitness professionals as Shake Weight Instructors. Exercise TV partnered with Shawnee to create and star in her own instructional workout videos, bringing her training style and flare to fitness enthusiasts everywhere.

Shawnee has always felt a desire and responsibility to be an active voice in the Health and Fitness Community naturally making a splash into the media arena through her time spent in Abu Dhabi and Dubai filming her first television show, "The Hydra Executives", aired 2008-2009 on Showtime International and Infinity TV, representing the fitness world. Harkins then went straight to her second television show, "The Dr. Phil Show", "The Ultimate Weight Loss Race" which aired on CBS in 2008 & 2009. Shawnee traveled the country as one of Dr. Phil's celebrity trainers helping America get fit. Shawnee inspired, educated and motivated the country, while helping two ordinary individuals to exceed at the extraordinary by accomplishing a new level of transformation through healing the spirit, strengthening the mind and physical fitness.

Harkins' is creator and executive producer of the hit web series, "Empower Me in 6 Weeks", creator and producer of "Fit in The Streets", and "Fat to Fab", all web series centered on health and fitness. Additionally, Harkins' also mentors young fitness and seasoned professionals.

Shawnees' true intention is to touch, move and inspire others to take action for their well being, so they may experience a harmonious and balanced lifestyle.

An athlete since, I was in elementary through College. Basketball (began at age 9) Track & Field in Junior High & High School. Collegiate Crew ~ Sweep Rowing, Club Crew ~ Sculling.

Training Style: I am a happy, upbeat, positive, motivating and optimistic person and personal trainer. My personal training & strength conditioning is harder than it may appear at first because I smile constantly and laugh, having a great time in our workout sessions are very important to me. Make no mistake, I am no pushover (smile)..if I can overcome paralysis, a traumatic brain and spine injury, and then become a Fire Fighter/EMT at age 21, then you bet your butt - YOU can do anything you set your mind to... most of the time, it's about devising an execution strategy, implementing your plan, and making sure you have a positive support system around you! Finish what you start is key!

“You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction.”
― George Lorimer