SHANTEL ROSS' JOURNEY FROM TURMOIL TO TRIUMPH IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
BATTLING SHADOWS
In the heart of Texas, Shantel Ross, a resilient soul with roots in Alabama, embarked on a life-altering journey at the tender age of 13. The news of relocating to Dallas, Texas, sent shockwaves through her world already marred by the challenges of making friends and combating relentless bullying. Shantel's insecurities, compounded by feelings of unworthiness, set the stage for a tumultuous period in her life.
Upon arriving in Dallas in 2009, Shantel, her mother, and seven cousins encountered a series of unsettling experiences while searching for stability in various hotels. Despite the initial hardships, divine intervention eventually led them to a home in Frisco, TX, where Shantel's true story began to unfold.
Reflecting on the trials she faced, Shantel found it daunting to condense the narrative. From struggles with self-esteem and bullying to a traumatic encounter at the age of 14, her journey was fraught with pain and darkness. In the quest for acceptance, Shantel made choices that haunted her well into her mid-20s, leaving scars both physical and emotional.
Fast forward to 2020, a pivotal year that marked a turning point in Shantel's life. A harrowing incident prompted her to reassess her path and seek healing. Despite enduring a tumultuous past, Shantel found solace in therapy and rediscovered her worth. Embracing a newfound strength, she ventured into modeling, achieving notable success and winning accolades for her acting skills.
The year 2022 brought both triumph and adversity as Shantel launched her lingerie brand, Shay's Goodies Boutique, only to face a sudden downturn. The subsequent months saw her losing everything, navigating toxic family dynamics, and grappling with personal injuries. Despite the setbacks, Shantel persevered through hospitalization, eviction, and temporary homelessness, finding stability in unexpected places.
Amidst the challenges, Shantel faced another tumultuous relationship, marked by emotional and mental abuse. With courage and support from loved ones, she extricated herself from the toxic situation, determined to rebuild her life.
Tragedy struck once again in 2023 with the passing of Shantel's younger sister, triggering a health crisis that left her bedridden and seizing uncontrollably. Misunderstood and dismissed by some in the medical field, Shantel emerged from the darkness with a diagnosis of Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures and arthritis in her back and hips.
Returning to her mother's care and armed with resilience, Shantel gradually reclaimed her life. As of 2024, she works as a full-time insurance agent, resumes her modeling career, and navigates the ongoing journey of physical and emotional healing. Through faith and perseverance, Shantel emerged from the shadows, embracing a renewed sense of happiness and gratitude for the battles that shaped her.
Her story serves as a beacon of hope for those facing adversity, a testament to the strength found in faith, self-discovery, and resilience. Shantel's journey reinforces the belief that, even in the darkest moments, the promise of a brighter tomorrow awaits those who endure.
Who is Shantel?
QSM: Taking a stroll down memory lane, Shantel, can you share an amusing or memorable moment from your move from Alabama to Texas at the age of 13, one that still brings a smile to your face today?
Shantel: Aw man so many memories while moving here, I can remember one when we made it into Dallas, seeing all the big buildings my cousins and I were in in shock because remember I said I thought Texas only had horses. I’m pretty sure I said something along the lines of “I didn’t know they had actual buildings it’s so beautiful”. It was this beautiful painting on the side of one of the buildings and again I was shocked because I had never seen anything like that before.
QSM: Modeling seems like a world of glitz and glamour, but we all know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Can you share a behind-the-scenes blooper or mishap during a shoot or show that you've never told anyone before?
Shantel: mhmmm yesss, so this was actually few years ago, I want to say 2022 for the Juneteenth fashion show, I was walking to the stage and had to go up some stairs wearing 4inch or taller heels and my heel got snagged on the stair and I feel up the stairs in front of so many people it had to be 100s of people and it was stuck stuck. I took my shoes off and walked that runway like nothing ever happened. In my head I was literally crying but you couldn’t tell me I didn’t work the heck out of that runway hahah. I cried when I got off the stage though lol. Only because of embarrassment. But come to find out, barely anyone noticed smh.
QSM: Launching Shay's Goodies Boutique must have been a rollercoaster of emotions. What was the first "pinch me, is this real?" moment you experienced in seeing your lingerie brand come to life?
Shantel: That’s a great question but it’s funny because I have a video of me crying. Honestly yes, I had been drinking with friends at home and for some reason I just started laughing then crying in disbelief that I put together a whole fashion show and actually made this happen after having such a clear vision of my business. It might have been just a week before the big day, and I just couldn’t believe it. So yes, it was very emotionally but it was all happy tears.
QSM: What made you choose lingerie?
Shantel: Growing up I always found it hard to love my body and my shape. I thought I had to be really skinny to wear lingerie, but by the time I had hit adulthood around 22 or 23, I knew I was sexy and absolutely gorgeous. Nobody could tell me anything different; even going up and down with my weight, I fall in love with myself at every stage. I wanted to be a spokesperson or brand that gave plus size women a place to never feel like they had to be a certain size to wear sexy clothes or be sexy. I love my curves and the curves of plus size women, and I just want us to all feel sexy and look sexy in what we wear.
QSM: Girl, life threw curveballs, and you faced some pretty tough times. Can you take us to a specific moment during those setbacks where you thought, "Okay, this is it, I'm done," and then somehow found the strength to push through?
Shantel: Honestly, when I was in the hospital last April/ May, mind you I was there for 30 days and I think it was a week before I knew I was going to go home, that I had to push myself to relearn how to walk or at least do the bare minimum, which is get to the toilet because I couldn’t even do that. But I didn’t want to be handicapped; I didn’t want people taking care of me for the rest of my life, I wanted some type of control back, because again I felt as if I had no control over what was happening to me. I cried probably every day, but the strength of God got me out that bed the week before. It hurt, it was hard, I even seized after every therapy session, but I knew I couldn’t spend another moment in that hospital. Even though I didn’t have a place to call home I just wanted to be out of there. So yea that’s the moment I was like I will not let this define me, I will not let this be the end of me, the devil cannot have me, he is not welcomed here anymore. I just kept saying that every day in my head.
QSM: Dealing with health issues and the diagnosis in 2023—no joke, that sounds intense. What's the most absurd or humorous thing that happened during your road to recovery that made you go, "Well, this is my life now"?
Shantel: The seizures honestly are the most absurd thing, just because I didn’t grow with them, they came from too much trauma. I honestly don’t want to say it’s a part of my life, but it is for the moment, but I pray I find the right help to get rid of them completely because it truly takes my breath away. It knocks me so far down when they happen, but I don’t want it to define my life. I deal with it when it happens but other than that, I do my best to live a normal life as much as possible.
QSM: Now, you're back in the game, modeling, and working full-time as an insurance whiz. What's your go-to self-care ritual or guilty pleasure that keeps you sane amidst the chaos?
Shantel: Thank God for putting me back in the game is number one. I keep my life as peaceful as possible and low stress. I sleep a lot these days hahah; I put myself first. If it does not resonate with me, I don’t do it. If I don’t want to do something I say no thank you and move on. I have put my foot down on a lot of things personally, relationships and even career wise. I self-date myself and let nothing get in the way of my happiness. I don’t have an actually ritual yet but I guess every night for the last few months I lay in bed and watch the show Friends or Big Bang Theory every single night; it’s like my happy place right now lol. I don’t know if that’s weird but if it is oh well it makes me happy ahahah.
QSM: Let's wrap it up with a fun one! If you could invite three celebrities, dead or alive, to a dinner party at Shay's Goodies Boutique, who would they be, and why?
Shantel: Lizzo for sure, Ashley Graham and Rihanna the reason why is because they have one thing in common, they don’t care what others think of them, they are body positive, and know how to have a good time and just seem very chill to be around.
QSM: People reading your incredible journey are bound to be inspired. How can they keep up with your adventures and show some love and support? Any social media handles, upcoming projects, or ways for them to be part of #TeamShantel?
Shantel: Yes of course, you guys can follow me on IG: @Shantelthe_model, Tiktok: @shayyy_shayyyy20 and I even have a YouTube channel: Shantel Ross. I have several things I am getting ready to work on, getting back to acting which I did not mention, I am an actress as well. And just stay tuned I have lots of photoshoots/ fashion shows I’m working up here soon.
Photo credits:
Model: Shantel Ross
Photographer: @lionelwhytephotography
Pose Coach: @blu3modelcoachingllc
