Meet Shelbe Rodriguez | Freelance writer and content creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelbe Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelbe, how do you think about risk?
Ok, so here’s the truth: I’m a thirty-something divorced working girl-mom learning how to navigate through life and I have no clue what’s next –– and it’s fabulous! That’s it. That’s the opening line to my story. No captivating witty one-liners or fancy quotes that draw you in.

Let’s back up a little bit. You know how in nearly every movie ever, just before a character meets their horrendous fate, their entire life flashes before their eyes? When I made the decision to divorce my highschool sweetheart in the height of the pandemic, I felt like my entire life flashed before my eyes, but instead of seeing all the great moments in my life, I saw all the things that I hadn’t accomplished yet. I saw all of my dreams that I let fall to the wayside and every moment that I drifted further and further away from the woman that I always imagined I would become. For as long as I could remember, I lived a very safe life –– no risks; no adventure; and riddled with fear.

Whether it was graduating college and choosing a long-term career path or getting married and starting a family, like most women, I had gone through my entire life checking off boxes. One day, I happened to come across the incomparable Shonda Rhimes’ book, “Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person,” which is a brilliant read about not only saying ‘yes’ to opportunities, but saying ‘yes’ to yourself. It’s about taking risks and building the life that you want. It was at that moment that I decided to make 2021, and every year after, my year of ‘yes.’

While most of us call it risk taking, my devout mother would call it stepping out on faith. I like to think it’s giving yourself permission to live your own life. There’s something so freeing about figuring out the things that scare you, taking the risk and doing them anyway. It’s driving with no destination in mind, but embracing the journey every step of the way. For the next year, every opportunity that came my way and every risky decision I faced came with a profound ‘yes!’ With every promotion that became available at work, I took a risk and seized the opportunity.

My year of yes is also how I secured a spot as a contestant on Peacock and NBC’s reality TV series, “The Traitors.” I had seen the casting flier for the show just a few months earlier and, while being on a reality show was never an actual goal of mine, I thought to myself, ‘Why not? Let’s do it!’ Six months later, I found myself on a first-class flight to what would become my home away from home for a month, the Scottish Highlands. Two words –– mind blown.

In the midst of my year of ‘yes,’ I decided to create a bucket list filled with everything that scared me from ziplining and skydiving to complicated cooking recipes and travel excursions. With my 6-year-old daughter Skylar along for the ride, I’ve continued to chip away at that bucket list growing more fearless and bold with each item that I scratch off.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a freelance writer, I’m fueled by crafting compelling blogs, articles, social content and thought leadership pieces that help businesses, brands and organizations grow and thrive. It’s telling a story that not only resonates with target audiences, but has the power to spark movement and impact change. As a content creator, I’ve made it my mission to show my life as a mother completely unfiltered. I show the good, the bad and the organized chaos of it all so that other mothers know that they’re not alone. Being a mother to my beautiful daughter Skylar is my proudest moment in my life, but somewhere along my journey I realized that it can’t and shouldn’t be the only proud moment in my life. With every photo, video and Instagram reel, I show myself living fearlessly and completely out loud. Through my lens, my audience gets a front row seat as I write my own story as a single mother working to rebuild my life and find my own path outside of motherhood –– the journey is far from over.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a Houstonian, I’m always on the hunt for hidden gems and low-key spots in the city that don’t break the bank. When my besties are in town, we love to grab brunch at Lucille’s, a Black-owned restaurant located in the heart of Houston’s museum district that caters to Southern cuisine. When we’re in need of an afternoon hangout, we’re definitely making a stop at Buffalo Bayou Brewery for the best eats, brews and downtown views in Houston. This 3-story brewery is also kid-friendly, which I absolutely love! We’re finishing the night off like only true Houstonian’s know how: traditional bar hopping on Main st. One of my favorite bars to visit is Notsuoh. This eclectic bar is a living work of art where poets, musicians and other creatives have traditionally gathered to showcase their work.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I first fell in love with storytelling at the age of six while listening to my great grandmother Elizabeth share stories about her life growing up and the memories that she’d made within her lifetime. Since then, I’ve spent my entire life listening to the captivating life stories of family members and close friends: stories of heartbreak; love; loss; despair; triumph; and success. It’s those same stories that helped me to pioneer the story of my own life.

Website: https://linktr.ee/shelberodriguez

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelberodriguez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelberodriguez/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shelberodriguez

Image Credits
Auzenne Photography