In this moving episode, I sit down with Keeley Shantz, a vibrant actor and storyteller who survived multiple strokes and turned her pain into a powerful mission. Keeley shares her journey from dancing in Iowa to pursuing acting in New York City, and how her life changed forever when she experienced a stroke while home alone.

We talk about the raw, emotional details of that day—what it felt like to lose control of her body, her struggle to call for help, and her unexpected transformation into "The Lady in Red," a name given to her by hospital staff for the red sweater she wore during her recovery. Keeley reveals how the red sweater became a symbol of strength, love, and visibility during one of the most challenging times in her life.

From surviving a life-threatening condition to finding herself through creativity and storytelling, Keeley’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery. We discuss her mission to amplify the voices of women who have incredible stories to share. Keeley also opens up about her ongoing journey, including navigating anxiety, as well as how her passion for dancing and creating keeps her joyful in a world where nothing is guaranteed.

You can reach Keeley at @keeley.shantz on Instagram.

Stay in touch with me, Cathy, at @indoorcathy on Instagram. Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.


"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/