I first heard about Shannon Bell through a friend who had gone to see her for a ‘soul reading’.
He couldn’t stop talking about how she had told him so many accurate things that no one else could have known.
Naturally, I was intrigued.
I’ve always been a bit of a skeptic when it comes to psychics, so I decided to book a session but went in with my guard up, expecting to meet someone who fit the stereotypical ‘spiritual person’ image I had in my mind.
What surprised me was how different Shannon was from that expectation.
Instead of crystals and incense, I met a polished, confident young Geelong mum with a sweet but fierce demeanor.
She radiated warmth and authenticity.
It was only after our reading that I learned about Shannon’s heartbreaking story of loss – an experience that fueled her mission to help others reconnect with their own intuition.
Here’s a glimpse into our conversation.
Q: Shannon, your journey into motherhood sounds deeply transformative. Before you became a mother, you had big dreams of becoming a brain surgeon or a chef. Can you share more about how your early ambitions shaped your path, especially growing up without the support of your mother?
Shannon: From a young age, I had this intense fascination with the brain and the medical field.
I remember being just 4 or 5 years old, studying brain photos in an encyclopedia, imagining myself as a brain surgeon one day.
I always knew I wanted to help others, and that passion led me to nursing.
But when my mother left when I was 6, life became very different.
I had to take on responsibilities early, and I didn’t have much support emotionally.
Losing my son Jude later in life helped me realise that my mother wasn’t able to provide what I needed.
Those early challenges, though, built my resilience and made me even more compassionate.
Q: That resilience has certainly shaped your path as both a mother and a professional. How has becoming a mother, especially at such a young age, influenced your journey?
Shannon: Becoming a mother at 19 was challenging, but it was also one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.
I felt like I had to prove myself, especially being so young, but I always took pride in being a mum to Xavier.
We grew up together in many ways.
Now, with the wisdom I’ve gained, motherhood feels different.
I don’t feel the need to prove anything anymore – I can just enjoy the moments with my sons, knowing I’m doing my best for them.
Q: What a beautiful evolution. You’ve shared that your journey into becoming a psychic medium was deeply tied to the experience of losing your son, Jude. Can you tell us more about that connection?
Shannon: Absolutely. I’ve always felt connected, even as a little girl, but life pulled me away from that.
When I had Jude during COVID, I felt this deep, telepathic bond with him from the moment he was born.
After his passing, that connection reopened in a profound way.
It became my way of healing, and now I use that connection to help others.
It’s about using my spiritual gifts to bring healing and clarity to those who need it.
Q: Losing a child is unimaginable for many of us. How has that loss changed the way you approach parenting with your other children?
Shannon: It’s made me trust my intuition more than ever.
With Jude, I knew something wasn’t right, and I had to fight to get medical help.
It was terrifying, but I trusted my gut, and that’s something I continue to do with my other children.
I believe parents are intuitively connected to their kids, and it’s important to listen to those feelings, even if others don’t understand them.
Q: How can parents learn to trust and develop their own intuition, especially when it comes to raising their children?
Shannon: Start by paying attention to the small nudges – those gut feelings you get when something doesn’t feel right, or when you ‘just know’ something without being able to explain why.
That’s your intuition speaking.
I like to think of intuition as a guide from our higher self, or even our ‘future self’, leading us toward our highest potential and what’s best for everyone involved.
It will never steer you wrong or make you feel fear.
Reconnecting with it is about building a relationship of trust in the wisdom that’s already
within you.
The more you listen and act on those feelings, the stronger that connection becomes.
Trust in yourself and give it time to grow by nurturing your wellbeing with self care and self love and always remember to show yourself compassion for where you are in your journey.
Q: And for parents who want to nurture their children’s intuition, what would you recommend?
Shannon: Children are naturally intuitive.
They may talk about dreams or imaginary friends, which I believe is part of their spiritual connection.
Rather than dismissing it, encourage them to explore what they feel and think.
By supporting their intuition, they’ll grow up confident in trusting it.
Q: For parents who feel disconnected from their intuition and want to reconnect, what advice would you give?
Shannon: Start small. Just a few minutes of mindful breathing or a short walk in nature can make a big difference.
Self-care is crucial too. When you take time for yourself, you’re better able to show up for your kids.
It’s about finding those little moments to tune in and reconnect.
Q: That’s such a comforting approach. Have you had any experiences where trusting your intuition as a parent made all the difference?
Shannon: Definitely. With Jude, I knew something was wrong from the start, even when doctors told me otherwise.
I had to push and push until they found what was wrong, but I never stopped trusting my instincts.
That experience solidified my belief in the power of a parent’s intuition.
You know your child better than anyone.
Q: Many parents struggle with guilt when it comes to making time for self-care. How do you balance self-care with parenting?
Shannon: It doesn’t have to be a big thing – just five minutes of quiet or a short walk can do wonders.
When you take care of yourself, you’re better able to care for your children.
Remember, your energy affects them, so looking after yourself is not selfish – it’s essential for being the best parent you can be.
You can find Shannon on Instagram @yourwellbeingwarrior.
***BREAKOUT
Fast facts
Name: Shannon Bell (Shannon Patching on Instagram).
Age: 34.
Occupation: Holistic and spiritual mentor with a background in nursing.
Childrens names, ages and three words to describe them: Xavier, 15 – funny, kind, stubborn. Jude, 4 earth years, forever 6 months – wise, gentle, brave. Sonny, 2.5 – intelligent, curious, intuitive.
Quirky or annoying habit: I twirl my hair constantly, to the point that my arm aches, but I can’t stop, especially if I’m stressed or tired. Just like I did as a child. I’ve learned it’s a self-soothing thing to calm the nervous system.
Go-to karaoke song: Summer Rain was the last song I sang at karaoke but I do love old school rap, haha!
A movie you love: Bridesmaids. I have seen it so many times and I still laugh.
An embarrassing moment: I actually can’t think of one – I’m sure there’s plenty!
Mantra: Everything you desire, you deserve.
A quote you love: I have so many! But I think it would be, “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
What superpower would you love to have and why? To give full health back to people. I don’t want anyone to ever suffer in their body.
