My Story

 

 

Veteran. Author. Coach. Encourager.

 

Healing isn’t linear, and neither is my story. From military service to children’s books, chronic illness to coaching, my journey is rooted in service, compassion, and the belief that we grow stronger when we choose to keep going.

I’m Ta’Shay Mason, a U.S. Army Veteran who proudly served for sixteen years, and honorably discharged as a Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) . After the military, I continued serving others through federal work—first with HUD, then as a social worker at the Dallas VA Medical Center, again with HUD, and now retired before transitioning full-time into writing, grief support, and wellness advocacy. Earlier this year (2025), I have the wonderful opportunity to volunteer as a team liaison for Team USA for the Invictus Games in Canada (Vancouver and Whistler). I previously volunteered as a grief group facilitator for a children’s support group a few years ago. Now, I volunteer as a grief group facilitator for adults online.

In 2020, I published my first children’s book, But I Don’t Want to Say Goodbye!, inspired by losing my father when I was nine. That book became the heart of my series, A Child’s Journey Through Grief, created to help children and families navigate loss with compassion, creativity, and hope. I also founded Belshay House LLC,
the publishing home for my books and healing tools, where my beloved bulldog Bella often stars as a comforting companion. Now, Belshay House is Belshay Books under TM Creative Collective LLC and I am closing the series with Let’s Celebrate! Although A Child’s Journey Through Grief series is ending, my main character Jazmine and her family’s journey will continue. Stay Tuned!

I’ve had my own share of health challenges—living with hypothyroidism since 2007 after treatment for Graves’ disease, recovering from spinal fusion surgery, and managing chronic knee pain. Through it all, I’ve learned to keep going. The PFC3 wellness program helped me regain food freedom and confidence, and now I will begin training (later this year) for the 2026 Bataan Memorial Death March—a 26.2-mile journey that honors the soldiers of Bataan and personally reflect my resilience and commitment to honoring those who came before me.

When I’m not writing or facilitating grief groups for children and adults, I love hiking, drawing, movies, cartoons, music, volunteering at my church, and spending time with my loved ones—especially the furry ones.

 

Why I Coach

 

Like many people, I used to try and “push through” tough seasons with pure willpower. But real transformation didn’t happen until I learned how to fuel my body properly, respect my healing process, and build simple habits that last.
 
As a certified PFC3 coach, I now help individuals stabilize their blood sugar, reclaim their energy, and take control of their health with clarity and confidence. My coaching is rooted in the same values that guide everything I do—compassion, honesty, and steady, sustainable progress.

Let’s Work Together

 

Whether you’re navigating grief, working toward a wellness goal, or simply ready to put yourself back on the priority list, I’m here to support you.

 

Work With Me