Shereen Yusuff
10 min read ⭑
“I would rather make mistakes and run back to the Lord to have my wounds tended to than play life safe and never discover the other areas of my heart that God is calling me to open so that I can love more. The falls do hurt, but the love of God that I experience in return is worth every second of the fall.”
Shereen Yusuff is a certified breath and movement coach who explores the connection between breath, the heart and prayer. She is an accomplished endurance athlete who has completed marathons, ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons. Shereen has a background in engineering and has spent over twenty years in the energy and public sectors. After an encounter with Christ, Shereen converted from Islam to the Catholic faith and became a Benedictine Oblate. Her new book, Seeking the Spirit Within, encourages readers to consider how breath and silence can be a pathway to encountering God in new ways while overcoming inner roadblocks.
In this interview, Shereen shares how embracing difficulty and uncertainty can open the door to a more abundant and fully-lived life. She reveals how her experience of ice baths, silence and challenging situations has led her to encounter God’s presence and strength. Continue reading to learn how her journey of learning to breathe, sit in silence and embrace weakness has transformed her life.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
Food is always about more than food; it’s also about home and people and love. So, how does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
My forever go-to? A shawarma sandwich from my favorite spot back home in Oman — the kind wrapped so tightly in foil it feels like opening a gift.
In the U.S., I bounce between sushi and a steaming bowl of Vietnamese phở.
And India? Give me chaat — messy, tangy, crunchy, joyful chaos in a bowl — any day. I’ve even hunted down incredible chaat in Houston and D.C., the two cities in the U.S. where I spend most of my time.
So what does this say about me? Probably that my taste buds are as adventurous as my life. I collect flavors the way some people collect postcards. I almost never order the same dish twice because I’m too busy chasing the next discovery. I love hot and cold food with equal enthusiasm — which makes sense, considering I willingly jump between ice baths and saunas like it’s a personality trait.
I’ll always try the local specialty wherever I land. Not because I’m trying to be interesting, but because tasting a place feels like the fastest way to be in it. Maybe that’s why I don’t really “miss” places or people the way others do. I rarely live in the past — I drop right into the present moment, one bite, one flavor, one city at a time.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
What “nonspiritual” activity have you found to be quite spiritual, after all? What quirky proclivity, out-of-the-way interest, or unexpected pursuit refreshes your soul?
For starters, I have a strangely enthusiastic relationship with ice baths, glacier lakes and icy waterfalls — the colder, the better. Most people see freezing water and think, “Absolutely not.” I see it and think, “This is about to be the best moment of my day.”
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, I’m obsessed with monastic-level silence. Not “quiet-ish,” not “please lower your voice,” but the kind of silence where even your thoughts feel too loud. People assume I’m always traveling, teaching, hiking or talking to strangers. But put me in a silent monastery for a few days, and suddenly I look like an introvert who’s found paradise.
Another quirk? I often travel to places I feel God nudging me toward in prayer. I rarely know why I’m going where I’m going, yet every one of these “I-don’t-know-why-I’m-here” trips ends up unfolding into unexpected adventures and relationships I never would’ve found otherwise. And then there’s my shoe thing. I love observing people’s shoes and watches — I genuinely believe they reveal entire personality profiles. (For the record, I’m not judging beauty, cleanliness or brand — though those tell their own stories.) Even the level of dirt on a shoe gives clues — especially about how outdoorsy someone really is.
So on the surface, I may look grounded and intentional. But underneath, I’m a silence-chasing, ice-bathing, Spirit-led, adventure-wandering, shoe-and- watch-analyzing human with quirks that make my friends raise their eyebrows…lovingly.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human, too. We're just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So, what’s your kryptonite and how do you confront its power?
If I’m honest, my greatest fear is acting in a way that validates the people who told me that converting from Islam to Christianity was a terrible mistake. I worry that my imperfections might look like proof that they were right — that my missteps could be interpreted as pride or stubbornness rather than the honest struggle of someone trying to follow God.
I also fear behaving in a way that makes people believe my actions are somehow a reflection of the Catholic Church itself. My humanity is not doctrine, yet I’m always conscious of the weight of perception.
On top of that, I follow religion in a way some people would call radical. I don’t always live according to the “safe” or expected version of faith. I resonate deeply with Thomas Merton’s prayer: “I am not sure if I am doing Your will, O God, but I pray that the desire to do Your will is pleasing to you.” Because of that, I take risks. I walk paths I don’t always feel comfortable sharing with others — not because they’re reckless but because they’re deeply personal and not easily understood. Yes, I often get hurt. I fall, I fail, I misread God’s promptings, and I find myself running back to him trying to understand where things went wrong.
I don’t hide this side of me; I just don’t often talk about it. My life is a cycle of walking, tripping, brushing off the bruises and getting up again. Some people see this as courage. I’m sure others think it’s foolishness. They would never live life the way I do — following whispers, taking leaps, trusting grace more than certainty. But the truth is, I would rather make mistakes and run back to the Lord to have my wounds tended to than play life safe and never discover the other areas of my heart that God is calling me to open so that I can love more. The falls do hurt, but the love of God that I experience in return is worth every second of the fall.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
My obsession is helping myself and others discover what it means to be fully alive — physically, emotionally and spiritually — by leaning into discomfort, embracing uncertainty and following God’s guidance even when the path is unclear. Whether it’s through cold exposure, silent retreats, contemplative practices or walking into unknown cities guided only by prayer, I’m captivated by the intersection of courage, presence and transformation. Constantly living from a place of weakness has shown me the power of Christ’s strength in me — the kind that enables me to walk paths I never could have imagined on my own, to take risks, to fall and to rise again with grace. This obsession isn’t just personal; it matters to anyone who wants to live intentionally rather than reactively, to feel deeply rather than skim the surface and to confront the challenges of life with curiosity, faith and courage. Ultimately, I believe this obsession leads to a greater purpose: learning to live as Christ in the world. To bring Christ to others, we must first be willing to be emptied and vulnerable, to rely completely on him, and to follow wherever he leads. Only from that place of surrender can we truly be conduits of his love, courage and presence in the lives of those around us.
This is the heart of what I hope to share in my book, “Seeking the Spirit Within.” I begin by asking, “What does it mean to be fully alive?” Then I guide readers through our physical, emotional and spiritual lives, exploring how connecting with the heart through breath can open us to God’s presence in every part of our being. It’s an invitation to embrace vulnerability, lean into transformation and discover the fullness of life that Christ offers.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Whether we’re Cashiers or CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need God’s love flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it's God when it happens?
The Holy Spirit invigorates my work by bringing clarity, courage and connection where I might otherwise hesitate or feel limited. Whether I’m teaching, writing or guiding someone inward, there are moments when ideas or insights flow through me with a precision that feels beyond my own planning or ability. It’s as if the Spirit amplifies hidden thoughts, aligns my intentions with God’s and opens doors I could never have opened alone.
I recognize God’s presence most when the work feels unexpected — tasks I never envisioned, sometimes uncomfortable or burdensome. While others may feel God in peace or visible fruitfulness, my experience is subtler. I rarely see immediate outcomes, yet occasionally someone shares how something I said months earlier profoundly touched them — often in ways I never anticipated. These moments remind me that I don’t need to understand the full scope of God’s work; my part is to show up faithfully and let him move through me.
I also sense his guidance in quiet nudges — a still, small voice, an inner certainty — and even through nature, patterns or people who least seem like messengers. God speaks through everything — if we stay tuned to his frequency.
Ultimately, my walk of faith is not only about offering my “Fiat,” though that surrender is essential. It is also an act of co-creation with God through the Spirit — a joyful partnership. As Pope Francis says, “Our God is a God of surprises.” I believe he delights when we respond to his love with initiative, as Mary did in running to Elizabeth. Each faithful step deepens our trust and openness to his grace.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So, let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
In this current season, I’ve found silence and intentional prayer to be indispensable. They provide a space to step out of the constant “doing” mode and reconnect with what truly matters, offering clarity, perspective and peace before I act. I am a Benedictine Oblate of Christ in the Desert Monastery in New Mexico, and as Oblates, we are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours — primarily the Psalms — up to seven times a day. I aim to pray at least five of them daily, and this rhythm has been deeply nourishing.
Alongside this, my journal has become an essential companion. Writing during this intense period of change helps me process thoughts and make sense of the shifts I’m navigating. I also keep a gratitude journal, writing in it every morning and at the end of each day, to intentionally notice and celebrate the best moments, big and small.
I am also paying attention to the non-spiritual aspects of life. Once you encounter Christ, it becomes difficult to do anything without his involvement. He transforms not only what you are doing, but how you do it. I’ve learned that the most important thing is to act with love — regardless of the size of the task, its perceived significance or whether the person I’m serving shares my faith. God’s presence transforms every action into a spiritual encounter, and simply being aware of that presence is enough to make even ordinary activities sacred.
In my book, “Seeking the Spirit Within,” I explore this concept through our breath. By learning to be present with every breath and to breathe with love, we cultivate a life of continuous prayer, as St. Paul encourages — praying unceasingly. With this awareness, even the most ordinary moments become opportunities to encounter God, act with intention and invite his presence into every aspect of our lives.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and changed your heart?
This is always a difficult question for me, as the books I read tend to resonate differently depending on the phase of life I’m in. Aside from the Bible, which is hands down my favorite resource (I read the “Bible in a Year,” published by the Augustinian Institute, every day), I would also love to mention the book I wrote, “Seeking the Spirit Within,” which will be available on February 3, 2026.
I recently finished reading “Pray. Think. Act.” by J. Augustine Wetta, O.S.B., an excellent guide for discerning difficult decisions. Another profound resource on discernment is “Discernment of Spirits” by Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V.
During a period of great suffering and confusion, I found deep solace in “Science of the Cross” by Edith Stein, reflecting on the work of St. John of the Cross. It is a dense and challenging read, but for those who appreciate poetic literature and are willing to let the words sink in slowly, it is truly transformative.
From a more secular perspective, one of my all-time favorites is “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach. I first read this book when I was sixteen, and it made a deep and lasting impression on me. I also thoroughly enjoyed “Power vs. Force” by David R. Hawkins. I read this book right before I got baptized, and it makes an interesting connection between science and faith. For anyone interested in the profound impact of breathing, “Breathe” by James Nestor is fascinating.
Certain things can be godsends, helping us survive, even thrive, in our fast-paced world. Does technology ever help you this way? Has an app ever boosted your spiritual growth? If so, how?
I’ve never been much of an app person, but there are two I use every day. The first is the iBreviary app, which I use to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. The second is the Laudate app, which provides the daily readings. Each day, there’s an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, and a New Testament reading — texts that I often use for Lectio Divina, reflecting deeply on the words and allowing them to speak to my heart.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
Lately, I feel a deep stirring toward helping others connect more fully with themselves and with the Spirit by cultivating silence and learning to hear God’s voice. This practice not only helps us tune into where God is leading, but also allows us to experience God’s presence in our hearts at will. In other words, we don’t have to wait for external events — like a breakup, a loss or falling in love — to feel the stirrings of the heart; we can access them interoceptively anytime we choose.
The steps to experiencing this are what I share in my book, “Seeking the Spirit Within.” I’m excited to be offering retreats alongside the book, with a few scheduled in February and March during the season of Lent. I’ll also be hosting talks and book signings, which I’ll update on my website once the book is published. The book is available for pre-order now.
Shereen encourages believers to be willing to give up comfort and certainty in exchange for being fully alive — spiritually, emotionally and physically. She says, “Constantly living from a place of weakness has shown me the power of Christ’s strength in me — the kind that enables me to walk paths I never could have imagined on my own, to take risks, to fall and to rise again with grace.” Shereen believes this way of living is how we do the most important work we can ever do: learn to live as Christ did in the world. Spend some time asking God to reveal places where he desires to move you beyond your comfort zone in order to experience more of his love, strength and joy. Are there places of uncertainty he’s inviting you to surrender in faith and exchange for his adventure?
Shereen Yusuff is a convert from Islam who embraced the Catholic faith and is a Benedictine oblate. A certified breath and movement coach, she explores the connection between breath, the heart and prayer. An accomplished endurance athlete, she has completed marathons, ultramarathons and Ironman triathlons. With a background in engineering and over twenty years in the energy and public sectors, Shereen integrates scientific insight, athletic discipline and spiritual depth. Through her Suda Prem Studio and work with religious communities, she guides others to encounter God more deeply and overcome inner roadblocks, now shared in Seeking the Spirit Within. If you’d like to connect, you can find Shereen on Instagram or her a note at Suda Prem Studio — she’d love to hear from you.