Welcome-Meet Your Carolina Sunshine Wellness Functional Team
Welcome-Meet Your Carolina Sunshine Wellness Functional Team
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Rooted in science. Guided by nature.
At Carolina Sunshine Functional Wellness, we go beyond surface-level wellness by combining functional lab testing with a root-cause, whole-body approach.
We don’t guess—we gather insight.
By using data-informed guidance alongside simple, sustainable shifts, we support the body from the inside out—helping to reduce inflammation, restore balance, and create lasting wellness with clarity and confidence.
Carey Shannon, DHM, DFM, PhD
Functional Wellness and Joyful Living Educator | Coach |Speaker | Author
Carey Shannon, DHM, DFM, PhD, is a Functional Wellness and Joyful Living Educator, Coach, and Author with over 30 years of experience bridging education, clinical healthcare, and whole-person wellness. As the founder of Carolina Sunshine Wellness, Carey is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate inflammation, autoimmune conditions, hormone imbalances, and metabolic dysfunction through a root-cause, anti-inflammatory approach.
An educator at heart, Carey began her career teaching elementary students (K–2), where she cultivated her passion for guiding others in growth and discovery. She then pursued a path in healthcare, becoming a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and gaining valuable clinical experience in pediatric settings. Blending her love of teaching with her medical background, Carey went on to teach high school Allied Health and Medical Technologies, where she inspired and prepared the next generation of healthcare professionals.
She later expanded her impact across both education and healthcare, serving as a college professor and program director, where she helped develop and manage a thriving Allied Health program. This unique journey—from classroom teacher to clinical professional to program leader—gives Carey a rare ability to bridge science and real-life application in a way that is both practical and empowering.
Carey has earned her doctoral-level credentials in Holistic and Functional Medicine (DHM, DFM, PhD), reflecting advanced, integrated training in root-cause, whole-person wellness. She also holds a Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree, along with extensive training in anatomy, nutrition, pharmacology, telehealth, and blended learning. In addition, she holds a Career Technical Education credential in Health and Medical Technologies and a Certificate in Health and Wellness—bringing together a unique blend of clinical knowledge, educational expertise, and practical application.
Known for her compassionate and engaging teaching style, Carey specializes in translating complex health concepts into simple, sustainable lifestyle shifts. Her work is rooted in the belief that true wellness comes from strengthening the foundation—supporting the body, mind, and spirit—rather than simply managing symptoms.
Signature Programs & Areas of Focus
Signature Programs & Areas of Focus
Carey is the creator of several transformational programs and initiatives designed to support lasting wellness, including:
The Healthy Family Initiative (Raising Well): A whole-family wellness framework focused on healthy eating, joyful movement, and emotional resilience
Sugar-LESS: A signature program helping individuals reduce inflammatory sugar intake and support metabolic balance
7 Small Shifts to Big Relief: A step-by-step functional lifestyle program designed to reduce inflammation and restore energy through simple, sustainable changes
Root-Cause Functional Wellness Programs: Focused on uncovering underlying imbalances and restoring harmony within the body
Her work centers on:
Root-cause wellness and functional lifestyle strategies
Metabolic, hormone, and inflammatory balance
Family-centered health and prevention-focused education
Author, Educator & Speaker
Author, Educator & Speaker
Carey is the author of The Sugar Break Up and the Journey to Wellness Series, as well as Raising Well: The Mindful Child Method—Building a Strong Foundation with Healthy Eating, Movement, and Positivity. She is also the creator of the Traveling Tazi children’s book series, reflecting her passion for teaching through storytelling and adventure.
In addition to her wellness programs and coaching, Carey continues to support schools, educators, and communities through curriculum development, professional training, and speaking engagements. Whether she is guiding a client, teaching a class, or presenting on stage, her mission remains the same: to help others live brighter, lighter, and more connected lives.
Carey’s work is rooted in science, guided by nature, and driven by a deep commitment to helping others create lasting, joyful wellness from the inside out.
We do not diagnose or treat disease. We investigate functional imbalances, identify root contributors, and support the body’s natural ability to restore balance.
Kestley
Kestley
Kestley Shannon
Kestley Shannon
Holistic Wellness Coach | Ayurvedic Women’s Health and Yoga Specialist
Holistic Wellness Coach | Ayurvedic Women’s Health and Yoga Specialist
Kestley Shannon’s work is rooted in her personal journey of returning home to her body. After navigating several years of chronic women’s health challenges, she was led to Ayurveda, yoga, and Vedic philosophy—spending extended time in India to immerse herself in this ancient wisdom.
Through this experience, she began to understand health not as a single issue, but as a holistic system of balance within the body, mind, and spirit. By integrating these practices into her daily life, she experienced a profound shift into greater vitality, alignment, and connection.
Now, she guides others in creating simple, sustainable practices that restore balance and support overall well-being.
Kestley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies focused on philosophy, psychology, and art, along with Master’s-level coursework in Integral Studies—an approach that integrates psychology, human development, and whole-person health. She is also a certified coach through the Being True to You program.
In addition to coaching, Kestley leads experiential wellness classes that incorporate yoga, sound healing, and cacao ceremonies, creating space for connection, restoration, and inner alignment.
Kestley’s Approach Includes:
• Ayurvedic Lifestyle Guidance to support individualized wellness
• Yoga, Sound Healing & Cacao Ceremonies for connection and restoration
• Mindset & Self-Discovery Work to support inner alignment
• Daily Rituals & Rhythms to create grounded, sustainable living
At the heart of Kestley’s work is a belief that the body holds wisdom—and when we learn to listen, we can return to balance, clarity, and ease.
Vicki
Vicki
Vicki Brown
National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach | Educator
With over 25 years of experience in physical education and health, Vicki Brown brings a strong foundation of teaching, leadership, and heart-centered guidance to her work in functional wellness. As an educator, wife, and mother, she understands the real-life balance of caring for yourself while supporting those around you.
As a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Vicki is passionate about helping individuals create sustainable lifestyle changes that lead to vibrant, healthy living. Her approach is rooted in the belief that knowledge empowers us to make wiser choices—and when we feel our best, we are better able to live fully and serve others with purpose and impact.
Vicki has a gift for making wellness practical, approachable, and meaningful. Through her classes and workshops, she equips individuals and families with tools that support long-term well-being in the areas that matter most.
Her coaching focuses on building strong, supportive habits that nourish the whole person—body, mind, and lifestyle.
Vicki’s Approach Includes:
• Health Education & Lifestyle Coaching to build awareness and confidence
• Practical Wellness Tools to support daily habits and long-term success
• Movement & Physical Activity to encourage strength and vitality
• Family & Community Wellness to create a ripple effect of health and connection
At the heart of Vicki’s work is a belief that small, consistent shifts can lead to meaningful transformation—for ourselves and for those we love.
Through her guidance, clients are supported in creating a strong foundation for lifelong wellness, empowering them to live with energy, purpose, and joy.
JeanMarie
JeanMarie
JeanMarie Mitchell
JeanMarie Mitchell
Board-Certified Holistic Nurse Coach | Yoga Instructor | Wellness Experience Curator
Board-Certified Holistic Nurse Coach | Yoga Instructor | Wellness Experience Curator
With over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, JeanMarie brings a depth of clinical insight and compassionate care to her work in functional wellness. Her journey has evolved from bedside nursing to a more expansive mission—supporting individuals in restoring balance, reconnecting with their bodies, and creating lives rooted in vitality and joy.
As a Board-Certified Holistic Nurse Coach and Yoga Instructor, JeanMarie blends science with nature, integrating whole-food nutrition, mindfulness, and movement to support the body from the inside out. Her approach is grounded in the belief that true wellness is not just the absence of illness—but the presence of energy, purpose, and joy.
JeanMarie also brings a unique dimension to her work as a Travel Consultant, curating meaningful wellness experiences that inspire connection, adventure, and renewal. She believes that stepping into nature and exploring new environments can be a powerful catalyst for healing and transformation.
Her coaching is centered around simple, sustainable shifts that support the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
JeanMarie’s Approach Includes:
• Mindfulness & Breathwork to calm the nervous system and reduce stress
• Whole-Food Nutrition & Natural Support to nourish and restore
• Yoga & Movement to build strength, flexibility, and balance
• Meaningful Travel to inspire joy, perspective, and connection
At the heart of JeanMarie’s work is a deep belief in the power of mindset, positive self-talk, and the healing energy of the outdoors.
Through her guidance, clients are supported in creating a life that feels aligned, energized, and deeply fulfilling—from the inside out.
Kendra
Kendra
Kendra Cannoy — Fitness Expert & Virtual Strength Coach
Kendra Cannoy brings over 20 years of experience in fitness and movement to our wellness team. A NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist, Kendra has built her career across some of the most dynamic fitness environments in California, from boutique studios in San Francisco to corporate wellness at Adobe, and even two seasons as a Golden State Warriors performer.
Her background spans Barre, HIIT, TRX, Pilates, Yoga, Dance Fitness, and Strength Training, and her approach has always centered on one thing: helping people move better and feel stronger at every stage of life.
What sets Kendra apart is her deep understanding of how the body changes over time and how to work with it, not against it. After years of leading in-person classes and managing group exercise programming, she launched her own virtual fitness business in 2020 and discovered just how powerful online coaching could be for building community and accountability. Today, she specializes in joint-smart strength training for adults 40+, delivering live virtual sessions that are effective, accessible, and genuinely fun.
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