Shannon Ihrke

About Shannon Ihrke

Shannon is a Minnesota-based model, social media personality, horse trainer, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran. She is also a mother of two daughters.
She was born in Park Rapids, Minnesota, and grew up in northern Minnesota areas including Hackensack, Pine River, Walker, and Backus.After high school she attended St. Cloud State University briefly, then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps around age 19. She served four years on active duty, reaching the rank of sergeant. Her roles included administrative specialist and legal analyst work. She trained at Parris Island and was stationed at places such as Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina and later in Illinois. She received several awards including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the Corps she completed a bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst College using the GI Bill.
Her modeling career began while still in the service and took off after a charity runway event and participation in Maxim’s Hometown Hotties contest. She appeared on a Maxim cover, worked as an MMA ring girl, did runway and print work, and served as a spokesmodel for Chicago’s The Loop radio station. She has also been featured in magazines such as Fight! and Show Off, and in calendars.
She later focused more on horse training, modern homesteading, and family life while continuing some modeling and social media activity.She lives on a 23-acre ranch in Minnesota, raising animals, training horses, hunting, and raising her children. Earlier she spent time in the Chicago area for modeling work.