We recently had the chance to connect with Yan Shanklin and have shared our conversation below.
Yan, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time is creating. The moment I start recording a video, something in me switches on. Then I move into editing, creating the story, adding the details, and watching the whole thing come to life. I become completely immersed in the process, and hours pass by without me even realizing it. That process from start to finish is where I find myself again and again, and it reminds me that I love what I am doing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Yan Shanklin, and it feels surreal introducing myself again because so much has changed since the last time I did this interview. I am an Author and recently released my first print book, Navigating Life in Uncertainty. I’m also an Actress now and was cast as Queen in the series Almost Famous which will be released in 2026. Alongside that, I’ve continued to grow as a Digital Creator and I now have a combined following of over 360,000 across all platforms.
I’m also stepping into Life Coaching, and I recently earned my certification for that. At the heart of everything I do is purpose, faith, and the desire to inspire people to become better versions of themselves. I create content that highlights healthy and fun activities for people to do, I share faith filled motivational messages, and fashion, fitness, and lifestyle are still at the core of what I do along with solo travel and solo activities.
What I love most about building my brand is realizing that I became the niche. My story, my journey, and the light I bring into every space make my work unique. And right now, I’m excited to keep expanding, writing more books, continuing to grow my platforms, and continuing to inspire people through whatever season they’re in.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that has served its purpose is walking in my single season. I have been single for the past five years and I realized I do not talk about my journey of singleness enough. I think it is important for me to start talking about it because I did not understand intentionality when I first stepped into this season. Things have since pivoted since I sat out on this journey. In the last two and a half years, I have intentionally spent time building my relationship with God and walking in purpose.
I think people do not understand that there is purpose in the single season. This is why I want to talk about the journey that I have navigated and the path that I have carved out on this journey. I will talk about how it started unintentional and then it became intentional. I will talk about how I got tired of doing the same things and expecting different results and finally getting fed up with my own stuff. My next book will be focused entirely on the single season and everything I have learned along the way. This is something that needs to be released for those who are navigating single seasons as well.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
It’s funny because although I have failed at a lot of things or what some may consider failure, I do not consider it that. In my book, Navigating Life in Uncertainty, I talk about how I do not believe there is such a thing as failure. I believe failure should be used to fuel growth. I believe anything that you go through is a chance for you to grow through it. Everything can be used as fuel, and you learn something from every single situation. So if anything, I will say that failing has helped me change my mindset on what failing really is.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. Many people question whether I am always smiling and always happy, and the truth is that I am. That is not to say that I do not have bad days or moments where I am sad or crying or whatever the case may be. I just choose not to let that define me. I am the type of person who might be sad or cry about something at one point of the day, but the next moment I am smiling. I believe that every day is a great day to be great, and that is one of my slogans. What I mean by that is that you can always find greatness in every single day.
Furthermore, what you see online is what you get in real life with me. I do not fake. I do not pretend. Authenticity is how I built my platform. I show up as my authentic self, and I am extremely vulnerable and open with my audience.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. I recently made a video about how congratulations has become a lost art. I was explaining that I work as though I am serving the Lord, and if I focused on who did or did not clap for me, I would miss what God was doing for me. One of the verses I live by is Colossians 3:23, which says to work as though you are serving the Lord and not some human master.
I always want to make sure that I am serving God first and I am not doing any of this expecting people to clap for me. Because if you do it for people, you will never be happy. You have to have something bigger that you are doing it for, and for me, that is God. I work as though I am serving Him. I show up for Him. I add the Word of God wherever I can because I live with eternity in mind, knowing that this is not my forever place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.callheryan.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/callher_yan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyashanklin
- Twitter: Https://twitter.com/callher_yan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/callheryan/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@callher_yan
- Other: Life coaching: https://mymentor.life/yanshanklin
