How Tanner Shepard Turned A Rare Diagnosis Into Business Growth For LawnPop

Meet Tanner Shepard, the Austin-based business owner behind LawnPop, a company which designs and installs sustainable artificial turf and backyard putting greens for residential and commercial properties.

But that’s only half the story.

In 2023, the 55-year-old’s life changed dramatically when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder that attacks the nerves in every possible way. The road back wasn’t easy, but Shepard’s persistence pushed him through recovery and got him back on his feet (while also giving him a newfound perspective on life).

Recently, he shared with Austin Fit Magazine how his recovery transformed his approach to life, health and business.

AFM: Can you tell us about your health journey with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and how it unfolded?

About two years ago, I suddenly started losing sensation in my hands. Within days, I couldn’t grip anything or get into my truck without pulling myself in. After three doctor visits with no answers, I was sent to the ER. A spinal tap, combined with other symptoms, confirmed Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

I spent two weeks in the hospital and three to four months in a rehab facility with 24-hour care because I was in a wheelchair and couldn’t move on my own. With GBS, your immune system essentially eats away at your nerves, so my hands, arms and legs stopped working. Your nerves heal about an inch a month, and now, 18 months later, I’m about 80% recovered. I still use hiking poles in the field and I’m hopeful I’ll get back to 100%.

Staying positive was everything. I didn’t realize how bad things were at times because I kept focusing on getting better.

Tanner Shepard golfs on a green in Austin recently. The LawnPop owner overcame a rare diagnosis. Photo Credit: LawnPop

AFM: How did this health crisis change your approach to wellness, work and daily life?

This was a real eye opener of how quickly life can change. Being a small business owner, you’re constantly going and you can never be prepared for something like this. I was in the hospital on my laptop to keep the business going, while balancing [physical therapy] and trying to get better, which was a huge challenge.

The cool thing that ended up happening, though, was that my wife left her corporate job and jumped in to help out. Within a few months, she came on full-time, and she’s been a rock star ever since. We never would have planned for her to start working in the business had this not happened. I’ve slowly started getting better to where I can contribute more. I still have limitations and I’m not 100%, and it’s turned out to be a blessing to have my wife and I run the business together.

If I didn’t have a healthy mind and body, I wouldn’t be able to have a successful business. This whole experience reinforced how critical it is to care for my mind and body. Eating well, staying active within my limits, and sleeping well; my recovery depends on those basics. I stayed positive through the hardest parts, and in a strange way, this made me stronger. I’m of the mindset that I will work through it, and eventually I’ll get better.

AFM: In what ways did your recovery reshape your business and the outdoor living spaces you design?

Around the time I wanted to start focusing on my own health, artificial turf and outdoor living spaces became incredibly popular. Many of my clients are parents who want their kids outside instead of on screens.

That aligned perfectly with where I was personally, wanting a healthier, more active lifestyle.

With my landscape and architecture background, it’s important that we’re intentional about creating beautiful outdoor spaces that also encourage play and movement. The biggest compliment we’ve received from clients with families is telling us that now when their kids come home, they put their phones down and go outside to play. That’s become our business’s mission.

The cool thing that ended up happening, though, was that my wife left her corporate job and jumped in to help out. Within a few months, she came on full-time, and she’s been a rock star ever since. We never would have planned for her to start working in the business had this not happened.

AFM: How has this influenced how you balance aesthetics, accessibility, and sustainability in your outdoor living designs?

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to the design up front, which is where we differ from a lot of companies. Our design process starts with asking a lot of questions. Form and function both matter, and the final space has to look great, be usable, and be easy to maintain in the Texas heat. Turf is low-maintenance and sustainable in that way.

My own health experience also made me more aware of accessibility. We’ve worked with families who have children with mobility needs, and it’s pushed us to design spaces that are not only beautiful but safer and easier for everyone to use.

AFM: What advice do you have for others facing a major health challenge or long recovery?

Staying positive was everything. I didn’t realize how bad things were at times because I kept focusing on getting better. Having the support of my awesome wife, kids, and family have been the biggest contributor to my recovery.

Life is bigger than what happens to you, and humans are incredibly resilient. You can get through anything with the right mindset. I wouldn’t wish GBS on anyone, but in hindsight, I also wouldn’t trade where it ultimately led my wife to join the business.

I’d also encourage people to share their stories. Being open and vulnerable makes others feel safe to do the same, and we’ve built some incredible relationships with clients because of that.