Hello! My name is Tonya.
I am an author, speaker, and advocate who understands that healing begins with the courage to face life’s challenges head-on. Through my journey of confronting profound adversity, I discovered the resilience and purpose that emerge when we dare to address the pain we carry. We can’t heal what we’re not willing to face, and it’s my mission to inspire others to lean into life’s struggles with hope and determination.
My story is a testament to the transformative power of courage, renewal, and hope, even in the face of life’s deepest struggles. Through my writing, speaking, and community-building efforts, I strive to help others unlock their inner strength, break through the barriers of fear and pain, and embrace the possibility of healing and growth.
Together, we can rise above our past, confront our fears, and live boldly as empowered overcomers, proving that even the hardest journeys can lead to profound renewal.
Official Biography
Tonya Shellnutt is a prolific author, dynamic podcast host, and inspiring professional speaker dedicated to helping individuals break free from victimhood and embrace lives of courage, faith, and resilience. Through her various platforms, Tonya empowers others to overcome adversity and discover their inner strength, guiding them toward a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Currently, Tonya serves as the Senior State Government Relations Director at a leading religious liberty legal organization, where she passionately champions pro-family policies. In this role, she leverages her extensive expertise to protect society's most vulnerable, further reflecting her deep commitment to faith and family public policy issues—a dedication that has earned her prestigious awards such as the American Red Cross Good Samaritan Award, the Concerned Women for America Initiative Award, and the South Carolina Federation of Republican Women Leadership Award for her efforts to save women's sports.
Before stepping into her current position, Tonya was a successful small business owner for 15 years and served as State Director for Concerned Women for America (CWA) in both Montana and South Carolina, where she led impactful initiatives that strengthened the fabric of American society.
As the host of the acclaimed Courageous Overcomers podcast, Tonya uplifts individuals who have faced adversity, sharing powerful stories of overcoming addiction and abuse with courage and hope. Through her podcast, she inspires listeners to confront challenges head-on, demonstrating how hope, freedom, and courage can emerge from even the darkest of circumstances. Her message is clear: every individual possesses the innate courage and resilience not just to survive but to thrive.
Tonya is also the author of Wounded and Defined: Trading Victim for Victory, where she shares a deeply personal account of her journey from pain to providence, confusion to clarity, and fear to faith. Her writing, like her speaking, is a testament to the power of faith and resilience in transforming lives.
As a sought-after speaker, Tonya addresses audiences nationwide on the importance of strengthening families and cultivating resilience. She draws on personal and professional experiences to offer guidance and support, counseling many women through addictions and life's trials. Her philanthropic activities further reflect her commitment to faith and community, actively supporting pregnancy resource centers, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and various faith-based groups.
Tonya's life and work embody the principles of hope, courage, resilience, and fearlessness. Married for three decades to her husband, Rich, and a proud mother of five, Tonya is deeply committed to sharing these values with others. Through her writing, speaking, and advocacy, she continues to inspire individuals to break free from fear and victimhood and step into lives filled with courage, faith, and resilience.
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