Babes We Love: Meet Shemane Nugent, Wife to Rock ‘N Roll Legend Ted Nugent

Shemane Nugent is one Balanced Babe we love! Her interview talks about how she wrote a book in 3 days, how she overhauled her diet after being diagnosed with four different types of molds in her bloodstream, and how she lives the Balanced Babe lifestyle. 

shamane nugent

This Balanced Babe is a woman who holds faith, family and fitness close to her heart.  Shemane Nugent is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, award-winning TV producer/host and filmmaker who is also married to rock ‘n roll legend, Ted Nugent.  Along with her husband, she created the veterans’ charity, Freedom’s Angels, as well as being active in other organizations, including K9s for Warriors and Operation Finally Home.

As an ambassador for healthy living, this fitness guru is passionate about sharing with others her views on well-being and living a life of purpose.  Her newest book, “4 Minutes a Day, Rock ‘n Roll Your Way to Happy”, touches on every aspect of life with a “four-minute-a-day” approach. Our interview with Shemane Nugent touches on the fact that she wrote this book in three days – yes only three days! And how she took charge of her health when she found out she had 4 different types of molds in her blood stream. Read on to learn more about Shemane.

Meet Shemane Nugent:

BB: Your book came about as a result of divine inspiration.  Can you tell us about this personal and powerful push that resulted in this inspirational book?

For two years, I had been writing a completely different book that I wanted to title “50 is the New 30”. I had a fabulous proposal, but I hadn’t written even one word.

It wasn’t as though I hadn’t tried. I had, but I was easily distracted. Every year, my husband, rock ’n’ roll musician Ted Nugent, and I are actively involved in dozens of different charities; K9s for Warriors, Operation Finally Home, Make-A-Wish, Gilda’s Club, and our own charities: Freedom’s Angels and Ted Nugent Kamp for Kids. The problem was that I used the excuse that I was too busy to finish my book. Life gets in the way, right?

One night before going to bed, I prayed for guidance and that the words of my book would flow out of me effortlessly. The next morning a bold, blatant message popped into my mind along with its title: 4 Minutes a Day, Rock ’n’ Roll Your Way to Happy!  I never heard or felt such a dynamic, powerful presence and inspirational push. Plus, I was having a conversation with God! Prior to that, the only thing I had ever been so sure of is whether to buy the Louboutins or the Manolos when I shopped for shoes. (!) But then, God told me I should write the book in three days. Three days? How could I do that?  Then, I realized that day was Good Friday, and I remembered one miraculous event that had occurred in three days. So I locked myself in my office and didn’t come out until the book was finished. And it took me just three days!

As I sat at my computer, the stories in this book rolled off my fingertips effortlessly. I couldn’t type fast enough; I was being divinely guided to write this book not just to share my stories of illness to wellness or sadness to happiness but also tobe of service. I realized that by sharing the tragedies I had encountered in my life—losing our beloved home that was once on MTV Cribs and becoming deathly ill from toxic mold contamination between the walls — I could help prevent others from experiencing such heartbreaks.

shamane nugent

BB: You developed a life-threatening illness and had to take a year off to get well.  Can you briefly tell us about this and what holistic remedies you used that resulted in your miraculous way back to health?

Around 2002, I began to have flu-like symptoms and debilitating migraines. I knew something was wrong. I went to several doctors. One of them told me I might be too healthy and I should try eating at McDonalds! I was constantly tired and hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in years. I have been teaching group fitness classes since 1980, but ten minutes into the class, it felt like I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. I knew something was terribly wrong but I couldn’t figure it out. My son, Rocco, was sick with constant allergies, anemia, and severe asthma. My husband had symptoms similar to mine. Neither of us could sleep. We had short-term memory loss, achy joints, and flu-like symptoms. Ted and I had four different types of mold in our bloodstream and I was diagnosed with having pre-emphysema. I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs if my life depended on it.

I found a doctor in Texas who used functional medicine like infrared sauna, vitamin IV and oxygen therapy to detoxify my body.  I did a complete overhaul on my diet and environment. We got rid of chemical cleaners, potpourri, scented candles, and fabric softener that can cause headaches and flu-like symptoms.

BB: What foods do you eat to boost your energy? And can you give us an example of a typical dinner meal for you?

Boy! I could go on and on about this…  After getting so sick I realized that I had to make health a priority and putting the right fuel in your body is essential. I discuss my diet in great detail in my book, but basically I’ve eliminated preservatives and processed foods. If it’s in a box on a shelf it’s probably not the best fuel for your body. I’m a label reader. If I can’t pronounce it, it’s probably not food.

The closer you can get to the hoof, the ground or the soil, the better.  The more you heat food and the higher the temperature, the more nutrients you lose. I’m mostly a vegetarian, but I don’t think there’s a category for “mostly”.  I don’t digest meat well, but I listen to my body.  Sometimes I want a burger! 

Typically I eat fish, nuts and legumes for protein. Most of my food is non-GMO, gluten-free, and organic. I focus on vegetables.  Sometimes I have a salad for breakfast!  I got food poisoning from Mexican grapes once so I make sure even the organic food I get is from the U.S.  We travel a lot though, and it’s not always convenient to eat perfectly. In all honesty, I do indulge. Eighty percent of what I eat is healthy, clean, and organic. Twenty percent — not so much. I like cappuccinos, pizza, cupcakes and cookies on occasion.  But then I pay the price.  Having pizza can give me a stomach ache for a couple weeks.  

Having said all that, I don’t eat any particular food for energy.  My overall diet is good, so I really don’t have to rely on any one food or supplement for energy. 

My favorite meal — and one I make twice a week is salmon with garlic, olive oil, spinach, carrots and any other veggies I have, wrapped in foil and baked in the oven for about 35 minutes at 375 degrees.  After it’s slightly cooled, I put all of that over a bed of organic romaine lettuce and baby kale topped with cranberries and nuts. Yum!

shamane nugent

BB: What are your favorite beauty remedies  that you swear by?

I’m fifty-three years old and people often ask me what I do to look younger. What you put on your body is just as important as the food you eat. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it absorbs what you put on it.  So, I use chemical-free, paraben-free moisturizers and hair products whenever possible.  I use almond and coconut oil on my hair, skin and nails.  Once a week I give myself a mask treatment with African mud and rose water to detox my skin.

Sweating at least three times a week is critical for maintaining a healthy glow.  I’ve been teaching group fitness classes since 1980 — everything from step to Spinning to Zumba.  I honestly think intense exercise that’s fun is the secret to looking, feeling and staying young! 

Since I’m a hopeless chocoholic, I had to find a way to turn my favorite indulgence into something healthy.   I combine organic cacao nibs, almond butter, nuts, dates, and honey in a small food processor and blend til smooth then roll into balls and put in the fridge to firm.  Whenever I want a sweet treat I grab one (or two!) of those. My sweet tooth is satisfied and I don’t feel guilty!

BB: How do you maintain the Balanced Babe lifestyle?  

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of having balance in my life.  I’m a type A personality and it’s hard for me to sit and read, or watch television for very long, (although I do like watching Entertainment Tonight or E! News for the latest fashion trends!).  The more time I spend with people who bring me joy, and take care of myself and my needs, the happier I am and the more I can give to others.  You can’t keep getting water from a dry well.  You have to fill it up. 

So I make sure to do one thing that makes me happy every day.  That could be carving out time to spend with my son, playing — really playing and running — with my dogs, teaching a fitness class, reading, writing or having a glass of wine and watching the sunset with my husband.  When you have a family to take care of and responsibilities that take a lot of time and effort, it’s hard not to feel guilty about something like getting a massage or working out.  That’s one of the reasons I like being a fitness instructor.  I can come up with more excuses than anyone that can prevent me from working out – laundry, errands, etc – but once I’m in class and the music starts playing, I have the time of my life!  

It’s important to find the thing that makes your heart sing and do that as much as possible.  We all have different and unique talents. To become more balanced I honestly believe we need to find our gift and then give it away. A beautiful painting will bring joy to others who do appreciate art. The artist is doing what they love and providing a resource for happiness for someone else. When I’m teaching Zumba fitness classes I am helping other people get healthy, but I love doing it, so it’s a win-win situation.

Shemane Nugent

BB: What’s next on your journey related to business and personal growth?

I’m working on an on-line program based on my book that can change people’s lives. Although we don’t always appreciate it at the time, the tribulations we endure can be a vehicle for each of us to grow.

Also, I’m in development for a screenplay I wrote based upon my son’s life and working on getting that film produced within the next year.

Thanks, Shemane, for sharing a copy of this inspirational book with our team and for taking time out to let us introduce you to our readers!   Visit her blog at shemanenugent.rocks for nuggets of wisdom and inspiration and to find about more about her book.

*All photos courtesy of Shemane Nugent

02 comments on “Babes We Love: Meet Shemane Nugent, Wife to Rock ‘N Roll Legend Ted Nugent

  • Meena J. , Direct link to comment
    Nice interview about a cool lady! I'm big on using coconut oil for my beauty regimen too...hope I look as good as her when I'm 50!

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