All posts by Shannon Folsom

NBC recently announced the Season 16 cast of its hit show The Biggest Loser. This season’s theme: “Glory Days”. The cast is made up of 20 former athletes, including former Olympic gold medalists, standout college athletes and ex-NFL players Scott Mitchell and Damien Woody. Evidently Mitchell has put on about 130lbs since his QB days and Damien Woody’s growing tired of his burly linesman’s figure. I know there are a hell of a lot of other NFL players that will need some Biggest Loser treatment after their careers come toRead More

Hello my name is Shannon. Professionals tell me that I suffer from both generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I used to be pretty pissed off about that, until I realized that, “you have a mental illness” is actually code for, “the universe is turning your life into a comedy.” Here’s what that comedy consists of:   Panic Attacks: I like to think the way I gulp air and struggle to breathe while I’m experiencing a panic attack is somehow cute and endearing. In my mind, I look like I’m practicingRead More

Miss USA has come and gone, and the internet remains full of criticism and confusion about the world of pageantry. It’s forever tainted by Honey Boo Boo and Miss Teen South Carolina ’07. Women either love it or they hate it. Men either love it or they. . .love it. Most people don’t understand what draws women to compete. And I’m just over here eating ice cream and looking back on my glory days. No matter how you feel about the pageants, I promise they’ve got a lot to offer–MoreRead More

Summer is here! For the college crew, that means a three month vacation at your parents’ house. For the post-college crew, that means a few visits to your hometown. For both groups, that means bumping into old classmates. And no matter how well you once knew your high school peers, that can be awkward. Let’s face it, small talk is inherently uncomfortable, but if you’re trying to avoid a little bit of pain, steer clear of these questions:   What are you doing after graduation? Talk about a conversation buzzkill.Read More

Every ambitious person knows what it’s like to have people dump on their dreams. Sometimes friends and acquaintances go right for the kill, lecturing you about how unrealistic your goals are. Other times they dump on you passively, faking interest with shit grins and responses like, “Fun!…” and, “Good luck with that…” Regardless of the method, being doubted—especially by friends and family members–sucks. Unfortunately, putting up with Debbie Downers is a part of life. You’ll always have to deal with people that take a little too much interest in yourRead More

Kentucky Derby weekend! You know what that means—bets, big hats, and adult beverages. Now, typically Derby weekend is associated with the well-known, bourbon-based Mint Julep, but thanks to celebrity chef Hugh Acheson and Captain Morgan rum, this year there’s another drink in town. It’s called the Mint Mutiny, it features my favorite type of liquor, and it tastes like love and summertime. After mixing a glass up for myself this afternoon, I’d like to assure my friends that there will be plenty of Mutiny coming their way this weekend…and probablyRead More

Well, Class of 2014, it’s that time. Only a few more weeks and you’ll be taking selfies in your cap and gown, preparing for post-grad madness, and ignoring all of the shitty speakers at your college graduation. You’ve probably already reached the point at which all of the adults in your life transform into total a-holes, repeatedly asking you about your future plans (Who f*cking knows. You’re graduating–Isn’t that good enough?!) and I’m sure you’ve already read 10 different lists suggesting 100s of things you need to do in orderRead More

Please note: It is highly recommended that you step off your Pussy Riot pedestal prior to reading this article. Now, ladies: We do not shed all responsibility for our actions the moment we start drinking. Responsible adults are able to make responsible decisions. “I was SO drunk” is not an excuse. You do not become a victim the moment you suck down your first vodka tonic. Women love to blame men for just about everything that happens during a night out, but let’s be honest—you know your limit and ifRead More

Alter egos: A lot of stars have them. Beyonce has Sasha Fierce, David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust and now, apparently, Nick Cannon has Conner Smallnut. And people aren’t impressed. Cannon, who is set to release a new album titled, “White People Party Music” on April Fools’ Day, has caused a bit of a stir over the past few days, posting photos and videos of himself in whiteface and skater attire on Twitter and Instagram. Captions underneath the posts include hashtags like “FarmersMarket,” “GoodCredit,” “BeerPong,” and “CreamCheeseEating,” and introduce the pastyRead More

I have spent the majority of my teenage and adult years as a mindful observer of the dating scene. For the most of my college career, I played the role of the single friend that dished out (solicited) relationship advice and built her buddies back up after brutal breakups. Occasionally, I caught flak from friends and family for not experiencing enough of the dating scene first-hand. Apparently it’s a widely accepted notion that the only way to determine what you want and need out of relationships is to work yourRead More

Well, Beyonce continues to live up to her nickname. Queen Bee speaks and everybody listens. Lately, my newsfeed has been buzzing with posts about “Ban Bossy,” a campaign started by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and backed by Bee herself. According to the campaign’s website, “When a little boy asserts himself, he’s called a ‘leader.’ Yet when a little girl does the same, she risks being branded ‘bossy.’” This type of language, according to Sheryl Sandberg, discourages girls from seeking leadership roles, and “Ban Bossy” aims to address this issue byRead More

I would like to thank YouTube’s Bored Shorts TV for confirming my belief that children are tiny life coaches. The YouTube channel’s ‘Kid Snippets’ have brought me an incredible amount of entertainment in recent days. They’ve also reminded me of following: It’s important to be encouraging and make your feedback constructive. There are certain things you should always look for when voting for a presidential candidate. Fire can be good and bad. Also, it’s important to make the best out of every situation, no matter how awful. Speeding is wrong,Read More

Teaching you to be fearless Allowing fear to impact your decisions will always hold you back. If you grew up in a family that encouraged you to conquer your fears—flying, navigating cities, traveling alone, riding rollercoasters—thank them endlessly. You will never have to be one of those unfortunate people who kicks him or herself 10 years down the road for passing up an opportunity that could have lead them to amazing things.   Letting you wear that There are many reasons to be thankful for parents that allowed you establishRead More

1. You’ll learn to erase the word “embarrassment” from your vocabulary. Greatness and embarrassment are closely connected. If you aren’t willing to be vulnerable and take risks, you’ll never meet your full potential.   2. You’ll discover your non-negotiables.  We’ve all grown up being told that acting selfishly is not okay, but when it comes to your personal and professional life, sometimes it is. Each of us will learn that there are certain things that we just aren’t willing to put up with. And that’s fine. Realizing your non-negotiables willRead More

Occasionally, while scanning my Facebook timeline, I stumble upon an article that leaves me swearing at my computer screen, scratching my head, and questioning my online friendships. Elite Daily’s “Could It Be? Millennials Are The New Hippies But With Better Weed” is one of those articles. The article appeared on the website this week and quickly gained popularity for all the wrong reasons. I say that because, although author Lauren “LMoney” Martin (ugh) bills herself as a “comedy writer,” and the piece appears satirical, it seems that just about everyRead More