In one of our most powerful episodes yet, host Dr. Tiphany Hall sits down with Shawn Thursby-Palmer, FNP, MSN founder of the two-location med spa Beyond The Needle, for a raw conversation about second chances, redemption, and what it truly means to serve others in the aesthetics industry.
Shawn's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Born and raised in Banning, California, to a police chief father and mayor pro tem mother, his early life seemed destined for success. But coming out in the early 90s led him down a devastating path that included drugs, addiction and homelessness in the streets of West Hollywood. What happened next defies every statistic about recovery and addiction, and its proof that Shawn was always made for more.
Against all odds, Shawn pulled himself out of the darkness, rebuilt his life from scratch, and fought his way to graduating at the top of his nursing school and nurse practitioner programs.
Today, he operates two thriving med spas in California while traveling 4-8 times per month as one of the country's most sought-after injection trainers.
But Shawn's story isn't just about personal triumph—it's about how lived experience shapes the way we serve others. His approach to patient care, team building, and industry education stems directly from his understanding of what it means to need a second chance, empathy, and care – not just a great aesthetic result.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The Phoenix Rises: How Shawn transformed from dealer to top-of-class nurse practitioner through sheer willpower and determination
Building Beyond the Needle: The philosophy behind his med spa name and why every patient gets treated like family, complete with hugs and genuine care
Affordable Education Mission: Why Shawn offers free shadowing and responds to 100+ daily messages from providers seeking guidance, breaking the industry norm of expensive mentorship
Smart Business Scaling: His methodical approach to adding locations and services, including why he waited two years to offer weight loss after extensively researching the field
Team Culture Secrets: The three non-negotiables in his practice (no gossiping, no politics, no negative energy) and how he creates specialists within his team
Patient Safety Philosophy: Why he assess every patient’s mental state before beginning treatment with a few self-love questions, why he’s okay to wait when adding new services, and how patient safety guides every decision
Key Takeaways:
Shawn's candid discussion reveals the stark contrast between providers who enter aesthetics for quick money versus patient care and the risk of overpaying for subpar training when you're new.
Perhaps most importantly, Shawn demonstrates that success in aesthetics isn't just about clinical skills—it's about emotional intelligence, genuine care, and creating an environment where both patients and team members feel valued and supported.
The Bigger Picture:
This episode tackles some of the industry's most pressing issues: the influx of new providers seeking quick entry into aesthetics, the prohibitive cost of quality education, and the need for experienced practitioners to mentor the next generation. Shawn's approach of giving back through affordable training and open-door mentorship offers a blueprint for how established providers can help elevate the entire industry.
His story also highlights the therapeutic nature of aesthetic treatments—patients often come seeking more than just physical enhancement, and providers must be prepared to offer emotional support alongside clinical expertise.
Connect with Shawn:
• Instagram: @shawnthursbypalmer
• Med Spa: @beyondtheneedlemedspa
• Locations: Banning, CA and Studio City, CA
• Training: Follow his travel schedule on IG for hands-on education opportunities
Note: This episode contains mature themes including addiction and recovery. Listener discretion advised.