Meet Shelley

Shelley Hastings is the Founder and CEO of Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC which operates as Shelley Hastings Coaching, specializing in intentional lifestyle and travel coaching for well-being. Shelley first launched her coaching business by being accepted onto the national roster of Lifemap coaches for AARP Life Reimagined. Shelley is currently a professional member of the International Coaching Federation and the Travel Coach Network. Special interest memberships include the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the U.S. Lighthouse Society, and All Fifty States Club. Shelley has been a published contributing author for several online publications. She has also enjoyed traveling through all 50 U.S. states and 16 countries over 4 continents.

Prior to starting on the journey of entrepreneurship, Shelley was well-known in the field of higher education through her lengthy career at Wilmington University. Shelley earned her Master of Business Administration degree, then continued on to earn her professional credentials, first as a Certified Event Planner, and then later as a Certified Career, Executive, Business, and Marketing Coach. Before her retirement from education, she was a business and marketing adjunct instructor at Wilmington University and taught LinkedIn classes for the Workforce Development Program at Delaware Tech. She also served as a Career and Leadership Development Events judge at both the Delaware and National FFA Association Conventions. 

Her hobbies and interests include exploring the world, reading about travel, landscape and lighthouse photography, listening to music, pursuing lifelong learning and personal enrichment opportunities, and drinking flavored coffees.

My Origin Story

Beyond the excitement of my early travel experiences as a child, travel has become so much more meaningful to me as an adult. It has become a way of rewarding both my accomplishments and milestones and those of my family, providing me a backdrop to set goals and live out my dreams, re-prioritizing what is most important to me when I get off-course or feel stuck, and probably most significantly, helping me to cope with sudden lifestyle changes, first when my husband passed away unexpectedly leaving me as a young widow and single parent, and then later, when I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable autoimmune disorder.

What I have been shown repeatedly through my life experiences and challenges is that life is short. Illness or tragedy can change it in an instant. The famous quote tells us that life happens while we are busy making plans, and sometimes life ends abruptly for loved ones, before the plans we have made with them come to fruition. What I have learned is that it is more important than ever, in this fast-paced and ever-changing world we live in, to live life intentionally, fully and in the present moment. Planning is a great tool; waiting to execute your plans is risky business.

In re-launching my coaching practice after taking a few years off to prioritize and focus on improving my own health and well-being after my diagnosis, I am returning with a renewed sense of passion and purpose – to help people make more intentional decisions about what is really important to them, to help them create a lifestyle filled with meaning based upon their values, to prioritize regular self-care, health advocacy and wellness, and to use intentional travel as a tool to support the achievement of their goals and lifestyle choices to optimize their overall well-being.

Ever since my earliest memories, being a traveler has always been one of my favorite things to do. I love broadening my knowledge by visiting new destinations, learning about new cultures, enjoying beautiful scenery, and experiencing world-class amenities. It has paved the way for some of the most pivotal decisions, special moments and cherished memories I have experienced in my life. Coming from a small town, travel led me to expand my thinking and understanding of the world well outside of the boundaries of where I grew up. Now I appreciate travel for the powerful healing and transformative way it can change lives.

Top Credentials

Master of Business Administration

Certified Event Planner

Certified Professional Coach

Specialized Certifications in Career, Executive, Business and Marketing Coaching

In The Media

“One of the most interesting things I have encountered as a career coach is why people consider changing employers. The reasons are varied, but there is a common theme that typically emerges as we dive deeper into what is happening in their day-to-day work life: trust — or, rather, a lack of trust.”

From: Training Industry Publication: Shelley Hastings

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“My favorite off-the-wall interview question would be to ask a candidate what they would do if they worked for me and won the lottery. Their answer would tell me not only about their motivation for working, but also about their character in general. For someone who loves their work, the money would be a bonus, but if they would quit right away, that speaks of their work ethic and sense of loyalty.” - Shelley Hastings, Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC

From: Forbes Coaches Council

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“A common time management tip that is actually a myth is the concept of multi-tasking. The more effective way to manage time is to practice mindfulness and be fully present in the moment, increasing the ability to both focus and recall information, which saves time and increases productivity.” - Shelley Hastings, Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC

From: Forbes Coaches Council

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“With the overload of technology in the workplace, it can easily become a distraction rather than a tool. To increase productivity and minimize ineffectiveness due to technology interruptions, schedule "technology breaks" where you can actively engage in the use of technology at specified times to stay up-to-date, then schedule "work time" where technology is silenced or hidden from view.” - Shelley Hastings, Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC

From: Forbes Coaches Council

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“The best strategy a manager can implement to foster employee engagement and high morale is to communicate with their employees regularly that they are valued, respected and competent. By creating a culture of gratitude and trust in their ability to perform their duties well, a manager can gain the respect needed to inspire most employees to do great work.” - Shelley Hastings, Synergy Empowerment Coaching, LLC

From: Forbes Coaches Council

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Testimonials

  • "As an empty nester, my unfulfilled music career in my 20’s on the Hollywood Club circuit with such bands as Guns N’ Roses, Poison, and Metallica still haunts me. For 10 years I have been trying to decide which options to pursue to re-establish my music career to some level of satisfaction to feed my passion, but unable to accomplish my goals. It was evident I needed help to stay focused to evaluate the myriad of new options available today." "I tend to hop around too much with ideas which makes me question my goal. Shelley is doing an awesome job of keeping me on task and reeling me back in to feel confident about pursuing my goal. Shelley has great ideas in cost effectively advancing my ideas. Working with Shelley each week has helped me to evaluate each step in identifying what is important for the next step and keeping me on task."

    - Craig, Musician from California

  • “It is my pleasure to write this testimonial for my Circle of Excellence partner Shelley Hastings. She has truly been a mentor, a guide, and a passionate accountability coach through my program." "Shelley is highly educated, expertly trained, and well versed as a Synergy Empowerment Coach. She helped me to uncover and create new opportunities that I couldn’t see before. She gave me a safe space to develop and grow my confidence. She taught me to explore options by challenging my limiting beliefs about personal and professional financial growth. Our sessions were enlightening, meaningful and transformative. If you need a strong and competent coach to guide you through transition/change, and ameliorate your decision-making process, I highly recommend Shelley. You will be and feel empowered!"

    - Susan Lee Woodward, Medical Intuitive

  • "Shelley is one of the most inspiring individuals that I know and have had the opportunity with whom to work. She provided me with a variety of suggestions about what next career venture. Her suggestions and encouragement to 'press beyond my limits' has helped me become an international speaker and also a published author." "If you have the opportunity to work with Shelley in any capacity, you will not regret the decision."

    - Dr. William H. Lane, International Speaker / Published author – Stop Being Invisible Overcoming Communication Barriers

  • "Have you ever you felt that you're stuck in your situation and your own thoughts? I have!! Numerous times! To cut the story short, I was looking a coach to brainstorm my ideas and make them into action plans. I found Synergy Empowerment, and we just clicked. I knew I could work with her then, and the rest is history. I have to say, the time I have with her has been very positive, and she has been encouraging me to keep moving and take actions in small steps. Yes, I need to do the work, but it was constructive to have someone that can count on my accountability. In all, it has been very beneficial for partnering up with Shelley. She saw my problems or situations from a different angle, and we worked through in finding the solution. I encourage whoever out there who are looking for improvement, whether, in career or your own business venture, I highly recommend Synergy Empowerment! Thank you, Shelley!"

    - Mel Accountant, Pennsylvania