I met Shayla Tumbling in 2021 through CuddleSage, the first training for professional cuddlers that centers Black women. (Shayla is a Co-Creator and Teacher.) I had no idea at the time that I was meeting a fellow pioneer in the world of cuddling. In 2014, when I was planning to give my first public cuddle event, I didn’t realize that across the country Shayla was already pursuing work as a professional cuddler.

Shayla’s identities intersect to create a unique and potent individual. She is queer, Black and Southern for starters. Shayla shared with me how – back then – when cuddling was unknown, her mother and a family friend from her local church were worried that cuddling was really sex work. That didn’t deter her. Shayla was clear minded that the world needed kind, platonic care, and she was committed to providing it to her communities.

Besides her background in cuddling, Shayla offers so much talent and love to the world. She is a Mental Health Therapist on target to get her doctorate. Shayla also has experience working as a Coach, Educator and Healing Facilitator working in the realm of sexual and emotional empowerment. She’s a Sacred Woman Initiate (2016) and a Certified Red Tent Women’s Circles Facilitator. 

In our recent phone conversation she acknowledged that some aspects of completing her doctorate are in motion and others feel stuck. I appreciate how someone with so many achievements is also down-to-earth and human.

Shayla walks her talk in the realm of mental health. She is transparent about her own battles with anxiety and also speaks candidly about having ADHD. Shayla is a living example that we can work with our challenges and still achieve our goals. 

If you’d like to experience the goodness of Shayla Tumbling’s wisdom, find her on  Facebook or Instagram. Here are three more ways you can honor this pioneer of the cuddling movement:

Listen to this podcast.

Read this article.

Thank you for being you, Shayla Tumbling!

Photo by: @ChanelJaali