My Story
About EquaTerra
I’m Shirley Pastore McCormack, a Duke Health-certified Health & Well-Being Coach based in Greater Cleveland. I help people who feel stretched thin by stress, health challenges, caregiving, or big life changes build sustainable practices that help them feel steadier, stronger, and more like themselves.
I know that territory from the inside. When I left a career in marketing communications to return to my original calling of mentoring, teaching, and helping others thrive, I was also living with chronic pain, joint issues, stress, and insomnia. Those years taught me what it means to struggle, to heal, and to advocate for yourself when answers don’t come easily.
The turning point came when I began working with functional medicine and holistic health practitioners. The practices I learned changed my well-being, and I knew I wanted to help others find that same shift.
Today, coaching is the heart of my work. Using Duke Health’s Wheel of Health, I partner with you to clarify what matters most and build small, sustainable changes that fit your real life. I’ve also taught yoga since 2012 and specialize in mindfulness and adaptive movement, so I can weave breathwork, meditation, and gentle movement into our work whenever it helps.
I work with individuals, groups, and workplaces, in person across Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio or virtually anywhere in the US.
EquaTerra means “balanced earth,” reflecting my belief that well-being grows from aligning mind, body, and spirit with everyday life.
Who I Support
My clients come to me with a wide range of goals. You don't need to have it all figured out to reach out. If you're navigating stress, a health challenge, or a life change and ready for a shift, coaching can help you find a path forward.
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Stress, burnout, and overwhelm
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Building sustainable habits: sleep, movement, nourishment, and energy
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Supporting your well-being in recovery
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Caregiver stress
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Living well with a chronic condition or new diagnosis
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Navigating grief and loss
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Life transitions
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Long COVID / CFS
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Work-life balance
All of my work is trauma-sensitive. Coaching and mind-body practices complement, but do not replace, medical care or mental health treatment. If you're working with a therapist or doctor, I'm glad to support you alongside them.
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My work is grounded in compassion, accessibility, and balance. These values guide every session, class, and program I offer.
Compassion
Healing begins with empathy and presence. I create supportive, trauma-informed spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and encouraged to move at their own pace.
Through mindfulness, clients learn to meet difficult emotions with kindness rather than self-judgment.
Accessibility
Wellness should be available to everyone. I utilize mindfulness, movement, and coaching practices to meet each person’s unique abilities, health needs, and life circumstances.
Whether working with individuals or groups, I ensure each session is inclusive and supportive.
balance
True well-being comes from aligning mind, body, and spirit. I guide clients toward sustainable practices suited to their needs, cultivating calm, clarity, and resilience in everyday life.
Even a small sense of groundedness makes it easier to face challenges with a clearer mind.
Education & Training
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2026
2013 - Present
2012 - 2013
1992, 1995
With this training, I partner with clients to create outcomes that align with their personal vision of health and what they value most.
I've trained under a variety of professionals in the medical field, psychologists, and integrative modalities. Read more in my Yoga Alliance Profile.
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200-hour certified yoga instructor, Bhumi's Yoga and Wellness Center
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100-hour certified yoga nidra facilitator, The Amrit Institute
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B.A. in Interpersonal Communication, Central CT State University
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M.A. in Higher Education Administration, The University of Akron