“From the very first conversation with Shayla, I knew she was someone whose spirit would shape the future of NL. She’s not just teaching—she’s living the work. We’re so grateful her path led her home.” ~ Bettina Shultz-Jobe, CEO and Co-Founder of NL
Each month, we shine a light on someone in our Natural Lifemanship family whose journey reflects the depth, presence, and relational richness that guide everything we do. This time, we’re celebrating Shayla Anderson—our new Lead Teacher and Guide at Old Mill Creek Academy & Schoolhouse.
Her story is one of courageous transition, soulful return, and a sunrise-hued commitment to walking with children in their most formative years.
A Seeker of Light and Meaning
Shayla grew up in Southern Maryland, where her love for nature, animals, and creative expression began to bloom. After years in South Carolina—where she studied, taught, and shaped young minds—she recently made a big move to Brenham, Texas.
Ask Shayla what fills her soul and she’ll tell you: chasing sunrises, capturing beauty through a camera lens, writing from the heart, and singing loudly with the windows down to Celine Dion, country, and Christian music. She’s a chaser of light in more ways than one.
A Path That Kept Circling Back
Shayla first discovered Natural Lifemanship in 2017 while volunteering at a barn that partnered with young adults with disabilities. She was finishing her master’s in special education and was drawn to the authenticity of NL’s approach. Though her formal training didn’t begin until 2020—during a season of deep personal and professional exploration—the resonance was immediate.
After taking the Fundamentals training and a powerful experience at the 2020 Interconnected Conference, Shayla was hooked. “I was left speechless and hungry for more,” she says. “More authenticity, more growth, more life.”
But growth isn’t always linear.
Home, Lost and Found
For a couple of years, Shayla’s life shifted. She juggled multiple caregiving and farm jobs, unsure how or when she might find her way back to NL. But as often happens in this work, the connection never disappeared. A series of consultations with Bettina offered seeds of possibility—though none felt quite in reach at the time.
And then, in November 2023, Shayla returned. The Sacred Landscapes Conference cracked something open. “It struck me to my core,” she reflects. “Every interaction I’ve had since then—with trainers, presenters, members—has been nothing short of divine and tender.”
In April 2024, she took the plunge into the Personal Immersion, exploring her own nervous system, patterns, and longings in sacred community. “I am forever changed,” she shares. “I learned so much and shared space with a powerhouse group of women.”
But perhaps the most profound moment came weeks later—when Bettina mentioned a dream. A school. A space for children to learn, grow, and heal. And it needed a lead teacher.
Shayla said yes.
Holding Space for Children, Holding Space for Herself
Today, Shayla is the Lead Teacher and Guide at Old Mill Creek Academy & Schoolhouse, NL’s new educational initiative grounded in connection, nature, and nervous system regulation. It’s the most full-circle “yes” she’s ever made.
Still, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. “The most challenging part right now is the transition,” she says. “I just left a place that holds so many parts of me. But I’m trusting that I left something good, only to find something better and deeper.”
The reward, however, is just as real. “Every day, I wake up and choose that same yes that landed me here. Even in its uncertainty, newness, and unexpectedness. That’s the beauty of it.”
What She Wants You to Know About NL
Shayla says it best: “Horses matter. People matter. We are EACH a part of a grandeur scheme and THAT matters.”
She believes that how we treat others—and ourselves—creates the foundation for meaningful, honest relationships. And that’s where NL shines: “When you treat yourself with utmost respect, love, curiosity, and attentiveness, it allows for true reciprocity in your relationships with other beings.”
As a newly official member of the NL team, Shayla is eager to resume her formal training and deepen her practice—not just for her own growth, but to serve every student, animal, and human who crosses her path. “I want to be of service in all the places and ways I’ve yet to discover,” she says.
Her advice for anyone considering the journey? “Your awakening awaits. NL is like a sunrise. Each experience, each transformation—it’s all welcome. It all matters. And no two paths look the same.”
Looking Forward: Growth, Community, and the Power of NL
We are honored and overjoyed to have Shayla Anderson as part of our Natural Lifemanship family. Her journey is one of returning, remembering, and rising again—just like the sunrises she loves.
If you’re interested in learning more about Natural Lifemanship and the amazing work our team is doing, we invite you to join our community.
Learn more at naturallifemanship.com/memberships.
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