After a 24-year struggle with alcohol and street drug addictions, Shelly-Anne Mckay, the creator of Soul Sisters United, discovered her path to sobriety. Along this journey, she unexpectedly recognized her emotional eating struggles, which had started at age five and had persisted into adulthood, using food as a refuge during uncertain times. For 17 years, she has been dedicated to understanding and overcoming her most challenging addiction: food. This dedication led to uncovering the root causes and the foundational elements necessary for lasting recovery.

In January 2022, Shelly-Anne transformed her expertise in emotional eating and food addiction into a board-certified program, with recognition from National Board for Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC USA), the International Association for Professional Recovery Coaches (IAPRC USA) and Health Coach Alliance (HCA Canada). Her mission is to educate healthcare professionals on effectively supporting those dealing with this addiction. In response to feedback from her clients and fellow professionals, who pointed out the absence of anything like Soul Sisters United, she felt compelled to create it.