Parvati Shallow maneuvers social interactions much like Michael Phelps navigates a 50-meter swimming pool: with seamless elegance and remarkable efficiency. “I have the ability to quickly establish connections with people, building trust and rapport,” she explains.
This talent has propelled Shallow, 41, into the realm of reality television stardom. Across the span of 18 years, she has captivated audiences through four seasons of Survivor and the recently concluded US of , a popular Peacock show where reality personalities must decipher who among them is scheming for prize money.
Shallow first captured the public’s attention in 2006 during the 13th season of Survivor. A 23-year-old graduate from the University of Georgia, she exuded charisma and sported abs as solid as coconut shells. Throughout the season, she strategically utilized her charm to forge alliances and avoid elimination, earning a reputation as a flirt.
While she didn’t emerge as the ultimate victor, Shallow’s journey was impressive. Returning for the show’s 16th season at 26, she leveraged her experience to form a dominant all-female alliance that outmaneuvered the male competitors, ultimately clinching the $1 million prize.
In her second appearance on The Traitors, a US reality show, Shallow took on the role of a deceptive contestant tasked with concealing her treachery. Despite being eliminated in episode eight, her distinctive headbands, calculated expressions, and cunning strategies elicited enthusiastic reactions from viewers.
However, television is no longer Shallow’s primary focus. She has transitioned into a career as a life coach.
“Let’s transform your aspirations into reality together,” her coaching profile declares. “Whether it’s related to work, finances, health, or purpose, I facilitate personal growth.”
Who wouldn’t seek guidance from someone like her?
Most of Shallow’s clients are drawn to her due to her Survivor persona, as she reveals during a video call from her California residence. “They’ve witnessed my capabilities on the show, so they think, ‘If she’s advising me to do it…’” she explains.
Typically, Shallow’s “1:1 transformational coaching” services range from \(1,500 to \)25,000, depending on the duration and frequency of sessions. For the purposes of this feature, Shallow graciously offers a complimentary coaching session. Despite her television prominence, Shallow remarks that her coaching practice often takes a back seat to her on-screen endeavors.
“People recognize me as Parvati from Survivor, from The Traitors, but my primary focus is coaching,” she emphasizes.
As a devoted fan of Survivor, I find myself uncertain about what to expect from our session. What does a life coach, particularly one with a reality TV background, have to offer? Unlike the high-stakes scenarios on television, my life lacks the dramatic flair of island survival or reality show deception.
Curious about the issues her clients seek assistance with, I inquire, prompting Shallow to share various examples. One client, a business owner, aims to enhance their leadership skills, while another navigates marital dissatisfaction and seeks guidance on the way forward. From sleep troubles to social anxiety, each individual presents unique challenges. An accountant Shallow collaborates with simply craves a more enjoyable life.
Yearning for a more lighthearted existence myself, I express my desire for fun. Given my tendency to prioritize productivity over leisure, I recognize the need to inject more enjoyment into my routine.
Anticipating reflections on personal joys and happiness, I brace myself for potential suggestions like picking up a hobby or dancing more frequently. However, the session takes an unexpected turn as Shallow leads me through meditative exercises, delves into my relationship with my mother, and encourages me to visualize and name my anxiety and “higher self.”
Shallow attributes her adeptness at fostering connections to her nonjudgmental demeanor: “I am open about my failures and mistakes if it helps the person I’m conversing with feel more at ease.”
Raised in a yogic community overseen by a female guru who bestowed upon her the name Parvati, Shallow recalls a childhood marked by spiritual practices like chanting, meditation, and fire ceremonies. Despite the outward appearance of perfection, she unveils a darker undercurrent of “coercive control and abuses of power” within the community.
The intricate social dynamics and unspoken truths she navigated during her upbringing equipped her with the skills essential for excelling in the complex social landscape of Survivor.
Although her triumphs on the show were noteworthy, Shallow admits to grappling with the aftermath. The intense experience of Survivor left a lasting impact on her well-being. Upon returning home, she faced the challenge of readjusting to a reality where not everyone harbored ulterior motives. Furthermore, her strategic gameplay earned her criticism and the unflattering nickname “the Black Widow” for orchestrating the elimination of male competitors alongside her female alliance.
Reflecting on her emotional turmoil post-Survivor, Shallow embarked on a healing journey encompassing yoga, meditation, breathwork, and hypnotherapy. Transitioning into a consulting role advising businesses on growth and presentation strategies, she eventually delved into life coaching.
Encountering Amber Krzys, a life coach in Los Angeles, at a speaking engagement proved pivotal for Shallow’s career shift. Inspired by the prospect of delving into human psychology and behavior, she found resonance in the coaching realm.
While the field of life coaching lacks standardized legal or educational requirements in the US and the UK, Shallow emphasizes the value of experiential learning. Collaborating with Krzys as a client and undergoing a coaching program with Carolyn Freyer-Jones, she underscores the significance of practical, hands-on experience in honing her coaching skills.
Shallow’s coaching sessions span three months, six months, or a year, with durations of 60 to 90 minutes per session. New clients initially engage in a three-month package to assess compatibility and alignment.
During our session, Shallow exhibits unwavering attentiveness, guiding me through introspective exercises and psychotherapeutic approaches. By fostering a space of acceptance and active listening, she empowers individuals to explore, experiment, and evolve freely.
As our call concludes, I am left contemplating the insights gained and the transformative potential of our interaction. Shallow’s coaching style, rooted in empathy and validation, offers a unique avenue for personal growth and self-discovery.