Key-to-Life by Shannon Cutts

What You Are Saying ...

Shannon is always out and about, and after each event is over, you keep in touch with us to share your experiences .....

Shannon is a wonderful speaker and singer. She is so down to earth and easy to relate to. Her positive outlook shines thru. Her message is one that needs to be heard. We've had positive feedback from students, particularly those who are struggling with an eating disorder.-Jeanna Brauer, Cottey College

Having Shannon speak for Trent was both an enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable experience. Beauty Undressed brought to light the issues that many students struggle with in our community. Students felt the program to be enlightening and thoroughly beneficial for all those who attended. Further, Shannon’s presentation helped to battle the stigma and silence that surround mental health issues. We are looking forward to having Shannon back very soon! -Sabrina Stephen, Trent University

Everyone attending the program enjoyed it, Those that stayed after really liked that Shannon was personable and easy to talk to. They also like the fact that the message wasn't just about eating disorders but that they could relate her presentation to any challenge in life. -Heather Borland, Columbus State Community College

I just thought I'd let you know that I was bombarded at school today with nothing but WONDERFUL comments about the presentations yesterday. I had several girls who asked if I knew if you could come back again next year. The general consensus, among those who attended, was that it was VERY informational and really gave them "stuff to think about," as one girl put it. There was one specific comment I loved. It was something along the lines of, "Man, we were sitting there saying, 'if she were our age she would totally be the person I'd want to have for my best friend!' " I really liked that one. Thanks again for coming to our school! -Rebecca Jackson, Paul G. Blazer High School, Ashland, KY

Shannon is a delightful and inspiring presenter who is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the cause of educating young people to the dangers in eating disorders. Her presentation is informative, enlightening and entertaining. She relates extremely well to young people and they are touched, moved and transformed by her. Beauty Undressed was e xtremely well received. We had five classes of students, in addition to community members and faculty and staff attending. -Natalie Kaye, Women's Center Director, Bucks County College, NEDA Week 2008

Shannon was very real and honest. Her program was very informative and beneficial to anyone that is struggling with these issues, or knows someone who is. -Kristi Campbell, Tiffin College

Our students and staff that attended very much enjoyed Shannon’s presentation. There were many students who stayed after her performance to speak with her and/or tell her how much they appreciated her message. Shannon is a very caring person and has a real passion about the message that she is sending to our students. -Kelley Nudo, Frostburg State University

Students reported the program was well organized and relevant. They liked Shannon's personal style and knowledge of the issues and facts. -Donna Okaro, Collin County College

Just a quick note to express our thanks for your role in helping make our 84th Annual Convention such a success as our Third General Session Speaker! -Lisa Fall, CMP, Director of Conventions & Meetings, TAHPERD

Shannon was fabulous last night – it was a joy to meet her and have her perform. The students really loved her. Thank you for your help in making this happen. I hope to have her back in the future. -Laura Lockwood, Trinity College

I never formally thanked you for taking the time to speak to us. The response from attendees was unbelievable! Your approach was unique to any other lecture I’ve attended in that you provided a historical perspective most people were never aware of. Thanks again for your powerful words. -Tara

This was wonderful. Lots of new ways to think about the issue of eating disorders in our culture today. And the song Shannon played was beautiful and moving! -from event comment cards

I just wanted to tell you that you did an awesome job speaking at our school. Thank you sooo much for coming and talking to us, and for your beautiful music. I have friends who are struggling right now, and my mom struggled with an eating disorder when she was a teenager. I know you have touched so many lives here and it's VERY exciting to think about it! -Liz

Shannon has a deep heart for those who are hurting. She can look into the hearts of students and see that there is a need for love, acceptance, and healing. It would be great for anybody to have Shannon at their event to speak. My students really responded in a real positive way to what she was saying. -Rev. John Bodine, Minister to Students, First Baptist Church of Lake Charles

Shannon was fantastic and the presentation was amazing. Wow. this is something that should be presented in every school and to every parent! -from event comment cards

I appreciated your presentation. My daughter experienced an anorexia in college. It was a terrifying experience for all of us. You provided me a better understanding of where this might have all started from and grown into the situation that it did. Thinking about the many things you said were markers in your life, I can see parallel markers in her life that eventually led to the her disorder. Again, thank you for your enlightening presentation. It was different hearing about it first hand than reading from a book. -LL, Texas Education Agency Conference

This evening has shed light on what a good friend is facing, and what I myself might face in the future. Thank you sooo much - I know you were brought here to reach out to a lot of women, but there was a specific one in the audience that was here to understand what she is going through and see that hope. Thank you, Shannon! -Melanie

She is definitely someone (that the 100 females in treatment at Remuda) can relate to. It is encouraging to see somebody who has battled the same things and then has the skills and talents to be able to sing about it. What's important is the way she conveys in her music and her speaking that she needed to make a decision to really allow a change to take place and to have the courage that it takes to make some of those changes. -Henry Rojas, Remuda Ranch

Hi Shannon - your speeches have made me think and care more about some friends I have that are bulimic and now I am gonna talk to them. Thank you so much. -Sarah

Shannon, you are a wonderful speaker. I somehow listen in a different way than I do usually. I can't explain in words how much you have already inspired me in just one hour. I have this feeling that I'm going to be thinking later in my life about what you're saying to me. I'm thinking about it now too. This sounds corny but it's true – you have a special, beyond special gift to talk and influence people. -Christina

Shannon, thank you for so much for sharing your talent and loving message with our girls last week. They all had a great time and loved you. -Lynell Kennedy, Memorial Drive UMC

Excellent Speaker! Shannon was wonderful - I am so glad I attended. Her talk was very well presented and she has a very moving story. -from event comment cards

Shannon, I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do for young women with eating disorders.. It feels so good to hear you speak - and to know that someone who has been there and survived understands what it is like. You are absolutely amazing and SO very wise! -Sam

Hi Shannon, I wanted to thank you so much for coming to visit my school. It meant more to me than you might know! Your words were very inspiration and so helpful. I've been struggling a lot, but you definitely made my day a wonderful one! It's been the best day I've had since I've been here, and I've got you to thank for making it that way. Thank you again for your words and your guidance. I will talk to you soon! -from the web

Well, the journey continues...thank you for walking with me. You make my heart sing - to watch and see that you have 'made it', and that gives me hope, when before there was none. Yeah 'Camp Shannon'! :) -mw

I had an eating disorder when I was younger and I have never told anyone about it till now because I was embarassed. But now that I have heard your story I have already convinced one of my friends to stop her eating disorder. Thank you - I love you. -from event comment cards

Thank you very much for speaking to our Men-Of-Action breakfast group. You are a real inspiration - I have heard many favorable comments about your talk, and everyone really appreciated hearing your message. The work that you do for the young people that you speak to is very valuable, as we hear so much about these problems so often in the media. Keep up the good work! -Jerry Clark

I just wanted to let you know something. When you came to our chapel and spoke and sang, and gave all the girls a copy of your cd, the song "A Different Girl" has since become one of the "anthems" of my recovery. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it and listened to it over and over and over again! Your words and this song inspired me so much and reminded me that the girl I was when I was sick and depressed and at a low point, is in the past, and I am proud of the girl that I am now becoming. Thank you for your inspiration! you are amazing! -Halie

Hello Shannon. I am doing better than I was before I met you. You really helped me to start feeling better about myself and now I don't care what other people say about me because I know in my own heart what the truth is so I don't have to worry about it. You really helped me see what really matters and for that I owe you my appreciation and gratitude. Thank You so much for coming to speak to us. --from the web

I saw you perform in Flagstaff, Arizona in the winter of 2004 I believe. During that time, I had been struggling through a second chapter of anorexia for a couple months. Your presence, in addition to a particular book I was reading, helped me to address that I once again had a problem. As you know, sometimes simply naming the problem helps tremendously in recovery. I was touched by your grace and sense of compassion and solidarity towards me and the other women there. I am happy to say that I have been eating well, and living an exceptionally blessed life for almost fours years now. -A., Northern Arizona University

I don't think I ever got to tell you how much you impacted my life in a positive way. One night you came out and told your story, and played for us. The fact that you knew you could not pursue your dreams if you continued with the eating disorder, and the way you spoke about that, was really profound. Anyway, it's been a couple of years since then, and I am happy to say that now I am completely recovered. Thanks again. -from the web

Again, I would like to say how much I learned from your presentation and the personal insights that you shared. You appear to be very knowledgeable in this field, as well as caring and compassionate. -R.M., Texas Behavioral Health Institute Conference

I think your message on eating disorders & other addiction issues, & the freedom past that cycle of shame, is a needed message to young people (and old.) I also thought it an important part when you spoke of the power you found to effect change, having been stirred by your KEY – students found it helpful to get permission to have passion about something, like you & your music. - Jim Kelley, Teacher, Houston Christian High School

Shannon, I just wanted to let you know that your speech at Tarrant County College was a blessing! I no longer suffer from an eating disorder that pledged my mind….thank God! I try so hard to not to hurt my body anymore. I really appreciate the time you took to talk with me during lunch. I will never forget what you taught me. My heart was touched when you sang your song. You have a gorgeous, angelic voice. Keep singing….! I hope that that more girls will see that they need to live, be themselves and no longer be fake (hiding behind a mask). I love your new song “The Mask”. You are making a difference in the lives of people who have for years been brainwashed by a lie (hollywood/media)…of how to be popular, gorgeous etc. Everyone is unique and special in their own way and we need to be ourselves. -Emily, Tarrant County College

You have really helped me - you are such an inspiration. I have made many mistakes and I can't seem to forgive myself but you have given me hope and the courage to move forward. Thank you so much! -from event comment cards

Shannon’s program was received extremely well. Her personal view point combined with facts and statistics about the issue made her presentation both enjoyable and educational. I truly am honored to have had the privilege to hear Shannon’s story of her battle with Anorexia and Bulimia. Her presentation was extremely informative and eye opening. I would love for Shannon to participate in our Doc Talk presentation next year. -Maria Segura, West Oaks Hospital

Not only was Shannon’s music enjoyable and inspiring, but her talk was very well presented. She is a great speaker who inspires and touches her audience. She comes across as very real and knowledgeable about her subject. Many people afterward came up to personally thank her and talk with her. Her message is extremely important and it is clear she deeply cares about young women and wants to help them. -NEDA Week07

Shannon, Thank you for your wonderful message and leadership. Our group is still raving about how wonderful the weekend was and how much they appreciated and enjoyed you. -Steve Angle, Youth Director, Buda UMC

We really enjoyed Shannon's program at our recent girls' retreat, and all throughout the evening our girls reminded each other of different things Shannon talked about in her message! -Amy Bezecny, Youth Director, St. Luke's Girls' Ministry

I came to one of your presentations with my school a few days ago. I just wanted to tell you, I think it's really cool what you're doing & really amazing about your recovery. As I was sitting with my other classmates before you started to present, I was thinking the entire time, ugh I kind of wish I wasn't here. It was a little bit uncomfortable being around that many people. But thankfully I had some of my friends beside me. When you started to talk about your presentation, I was more focused and interested in what you had to say. Let me tell you, I enjoyed listening to every word, as a matter of fact I didn't want to leave, but unfortunately we ran out of time. I am a person who is not completely happy with their self, and listening to you just made me think more about myself. That I do have good things about me and I can do what I want to do. It's not easy to always think like that, but for that whole day I felt somewhat better about the person I am. I absolutely think you're a wonderful person and I wish you the best. =) -from the web

I just wanted to thank you for coming to share your gift of music with all of us. I also want to thank you for the CD. I have already listened to it at least 10 times and I love it! -Deni

Dear Shannon, you are such a blessing. Your singing and speaking touched me greatly - I have many things I'm dealing with and your talk made me realize some things I needed to see about myself. God bless you! -from the web

i loved ur presentation. my favorite part was when you were talkin about the daisy and you thought one of the girls said that they would put it in a dog dish. that was funny. but anyways. i think it really takes a lot to tell us about what happened to you when you were growing up. i look up to you now. I’ve had a lot of self esteem problems and your presentation made a lot of sense. thank you. -from the web

Thanks again for all of your grace and love - you made it a diamond day for us! -Kerry Hammett, Youth Director, Canyon Lake UMC

I came to one of your presentations with my school a few days ago. I just wanted to tell you, I think it's really cool what you're doing & really amazing about your recovery. As I was sitting with my other classmates before you started to present, I was thinking the entire time, ugh I kind of wish I wasn't here. It was a little bit uncomfortable being around that many people. But thankfully I had some of my friends beside me. When you started to talk about your presentation, I was more focused and interested in what you had to say. Let me tell you, I enjoyed listening to every word, as a matter of fact I didn't want to leave, but unfortunately we ran out of time. I am a person who is not completely happy with their self, and listening to you just made me think more about myself. That I do have good things about me and I can do what I want to do. It's not easy to always think like that, but for that whole day I felt somewhat better about the person I am. I absolutely think you're a wonderful person and I wish you the best. =) -from the web

You are to be greatly commended. I heard nothing but "rave reviews" of the performances once I returned to school today. The juniors and seniors only complaint is that "it couldn't have been three hours long". I thought that was very positive. -NEDA Week07

Hi Shannon me and my friend here are writing you because we loved the music that you played at Travis Middle School. We enjoyed the story about your battle. Please come back to our school this year. YOU WILL ALL WAYS BE IN OUR HEART. -Tasha & Rika

I had an eating disorder when I was younger and I have never told anyone about it because I was embarrassed, but now that I have heard your story I don't feel ashamed anymore. Thank you. I love you. -Jenny

i really enjoyed the message you gave at our school. it was great. Thank you! -from the web

Shannon, you truly are an amazing woman. You have helped me so much. I will hang in there and never ever give up. I hope that we can hang out at some point and I can give you a really big hug and a million thanks! You are the only person that I have ever come in contact with that has recovered from an eating disorder. You are a true inspiration to me. I know that I can make it. Thanks for being there for young women like me. You make dealing with this illness a lot easier and I appreciate that so much! -Brianna