Meet Shannon & John
Every story of transformation begins with truth
— the moment we realize we can no longer live by someone else’s definition of who we are. For both of us, that realization came after years inside a high-control system that shaped how we thought, felt, and loved. Stepping away meant losing almost everything familiar — but it also opened the door to something greater: the chance to rebuild life with authenticity, courage, and compassion.
Together, we founded Luminous Connections as a reflection of that journey — a space where healing becomes growth, resilience becomes strength, and every person is invited to remember who they’ve always been.
Below, you’ll find our individual stories — the personal paths that brought us here, and the heartbeat behind everything we now share through our work.
Shannon Avery Briggs
Deserving: Become who YOU are.
Shannon Avery Briggs
MBA, CHPC, Founder of Luminous Connections
I am Shannon Avery Briggs, writer, speaker, and Certified Transformational Resilience Coach. My work is rooted in helping people rise from life’s hardest seasons with clarity, strength, and purpose.
Raised in a small town where I often felt invisible, I made a choice early on: my circumstances would not define me. That decision became the spark that ignited a lifelong pursuit of healing, empowerment, and freedom.
In 2016, after receiving a life-changing cancer diagnosis, I began a deep journey of reclaiming my health and identity. With the unwavering support of my husband John, I turned to holistic healing and emotional recovery. This season became the birthplace of what I now call the “Secret Garden” — a collection of strategies, mindsets, and emotional tools that changed my life from the inside out.
My path led me to become a Certified Transformational Resilience Coach, HeartMath Mentor, and founder of Luminous Connections. I left a 25-year corporate career to help others shed shame, reconnect with their core truth, and rise in their full aliveness.
Today, I live in Arizona with John and our beloved dogs. I coach individuals, especially those rebuilding after trauma, loss, or control, to find their own Secret Garden — that inner place of wisdom, joy, and healing.
If you’re ready to feel alive again, I’m here to walk beside you. Let’s unlock what’s been waiting for you all along.
🌱 Secret: Most people think healing is about fixing what’s broken. But often, it’s about finally seeing what’s always been whole.
Focus Areas
Reclaiming Identity After Control
Helping you rediscover who you are beyond what you were taught to be.Healing Emotional & Spiritual Trauma
Creating space to release fear, shame, and self-doubt with compassion and safety.Rebuilding Confidence & Self-Trust
Learning to trust your own voice again — and make choices that honor it.Designing a Life of Freedom & Purpose
Moving from survival to creation, and building a life that reflects your truth.
John D Briggs, Jr
In the Journey of Recovery, Every Day is a Chance to Rewrite Your Story and Redefine Your Future.
John D Briggs, Jr
CHPC
I am John Briggs, a Certified Transformational Resilience Coach, speaker, and recovery mentor. My path, like many of yours, has been marked by challenges, transformation, and moments of profound growth. As someone who has overcome addiction, I know the struggles, the highs and lows, and the redemption that comes from rebuilding one’s life. It’s this journey, combined with science-based, proprietary coaching techniques, that has shaped my mission to help others.
After three decades of professional experience in industries ranging from logistics to transit, I discovered my true purpose: supporting others on their recovery journey. I’m here not just to guide you toward sobriety, but to help you unlock your full potential, achieve balance, and find growth in every area of life.
My coaching approach blends transformative tools with a personalized understanding of recovery, providing both the strategies and the empathy needed for those navigating this path. For me, words like “personal development,” “growth,” and “community” are the foundation of my philosophy and the pillars of a life rebuilt with purpose. Together, we can transcend past struggles, harness the present, and shape a future filled with fulfillment.
Outside of coaching, I find joy in the simple moments: spending time with my family, connecting with nature, journaling, and laughing. Humor is one of life’s greatest healers, and I believe deeply in its power to bring light and healing.
If you’re ready to embark on your own personal development journey, I’m here to light the way. Let’s work together to unlock your maximum potential and move forward with resilience and purpose.
Focus Areas
Recovery & Resilience Coaching
Guiding individuals through the process of rebuilding life after addiction, control, or loss of identity.Purpose-Driven Personal Development
Helping you identify your “why,” clarify your goals, and live aligned with your values.High-Performance Habits for Everyday Life
Blending structure and mindset tools to create consistency, accountability, and confidence.Leadership Through Authenticity
Teaching how to lead yourself — and others — through honesty, courage, and compassion.
Together, We Built Luminous Connections
Our stories are uniquely our own, but our mission is shared — to help others heal after systems of control, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and create lives defined by courage, clarity, and freedom.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin again.
All you need is a safe place to start — and someone who understands the road you’ve walked.
We’re here to walk beside you as you rediscover your voice, your courage, and your direction.
What Guides Us
Shannon and John follow three guiding principles:
Clarity over Complexity
We believe healing and growth don’t have to be complicated. Simple, consistent steps create real change.
People-First Presence
Every person’s story matters. We lead with empathy, safety, and genuine human connection — not performance or perfection.
Curiosity that Cultivates Growth
We approach every conversation with openness and wonder, knowing that curiosity leads to awareness, and awareness leads to transformation.
- Clarity over complexity
- People-first decisions
- Continuous curiosity
Want to see how these values come to life in our programs and sessions?
Ready to Connect?
If Shannon and John’s story resonates with you — or you’d like to explore how transformational resilience coaching could support your journey — they’d love to hear from you.
Stay Connected
Email: [email protected] | LinkedIn: /shannonaverybriggs| Copyright © Luminous Connections 2025