Shallen Brandi Gross, Nurse, Actress/Model, Ordained Minister, Bartender, Holistic Nutritionist, Volunteer on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Healthcare/Nursing, Entertainment/Acting/Modeling, Ministry, Holistic Health/Nutrition

Shallen Brandi Gross

NANA

Nurse, Actress/Model, Ordained Minister, Bartender, Holistic Nutritionist, Volunteer, FEMA, GAIAMTV, Inc and Gaia, Inc

Mendota, IL

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree CNA Certification (1997) Degree 2 years Forensics College (incomplete) Degree Licensed Practical Nurse degree (2008) Degree Business Management and Administration degree Degree University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Degree Long-Term Care Geriatrics Certification Degree NANA Degree University of Phoenix Communications degree (incomplete) Degree Registered Nursing program (incomplete) Degree Physician's Assistant degree program (incomplete) Degree Holistic Nutrition and Chronic Disease Management with Alternative Therapies Certification Cert CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Cert LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Cert Business Management and Administration Degree Cert University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Cert Long-Term Care Geriatrics Certification Cert NANA Cert Holistic Nutrition and Chronic Disease Management with Alternative Therapies Certification Cert Ordained Minister Member Rosicrucian Church Member Nefertiti Member AMORC (Chicago) Member MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) Member Vegan groups/memberships

Her Story

About Shallen

I started my healthcare career in 1997 as a CNA, then took 2 years of college in forensics before switching to nursing in 2006 when the forensics program didn't meet degree requirements and required me to relocate away from my 10-month-old daughter. I graduated from nursing school in 2008 and worked as a medical-surgical nurse in the little hospital in Mendota where I live. I then moved into long-term care and became management certified with a business management and administration degree from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, working my way up to charge nurse. I went to work for Humana as a manager, seeing people in their houses after they were discharged from the hospital. In 2019, everything changed when I got contacted after writing a letter to someone on Ancient Aliens about 8 years prior - I was handpicked by Gaia to be featured in a documentary about my own real life called 'Shallen Change to Sheila.' I also played the alien-human hybrid female in a movie. About 4 years ago, I signed up for Backstage.com, a talent agency that showcases your skills publicly online and broadcasts your profile. Through them, I got quite a lot of role hires, was put in a YouTube commercial for a couple months, and their sponsors include Amazon Prime and other big names. I was hired for a Hulu 10-week series called The Delly Boys in 2023. Currently, I'm volunteering with the health department for FEMA as a nurse in emergency management (about 3 months), working as a bartender at a local bar where people recognize me and take pictures with me, and continuing my acting and modeling work. I also work with Gaia on vitamins and holistic health, using my holistic nutrition and chronic disease management certification to help people find nutritional supplements and dietary changes as alternatives to traditional medicine. I'm also involved in remote viewing, having taken courses online to help the police voluntarily find my missing neighbor, the only real kidnap victim in our town of about 10,000 people. I display her picture at the bar where I work to promote missing person awareness.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Shallen

01What do you attribute your success to?

My daughter Shyah Gemi Gross, my deceased sibling Laurie Adkins, and a childhood friend that passed away, C.J. Parker. My dad (Rip) James W. Gross (retired USA Navy veteran) who showed me the value of of time and the respect for it as well! Also the value of a dollar too!

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

“Fake it until you make it!” By Kimberly Abel RN MSN IVCC Nursing School Instructor, and a lifelong friend from her child throughout school. This is what she said to do, in the world of Nursing, you get a patient that comes in on a cart and you have no idea what to do with them or where to start, and you’re “scared to death,” but just think of them! You just don’t show them your fear and you fake it till you make it, and then one day you just automatically do it by habit! It’s very true!

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

Stay inspiring, empower yourself, and embrace and envelop your femininity - just be yourself. There's so many men who are so influential and in positions of power, but you can embrace your femininity and just be yourself. It's okay to just be a beautiful woman and know that you're something special. Wear a dress, make yourself feel real pretty, wear some nice pantsuits, then go to work and let yourself shine. Wake up and make the best of the day, stay inspiring to people, stay above that level where you can keep challenging yourself constantly. That's what you want to do to succeed.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

Rapid changes.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Time Management, Truthfulness, Accountability, and Communication! Always be respectful and responsible for what you’re doing! You always own everything you do and there’s nobody else that gets that but you! You own everything that you do!

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