Andrew Shaw

Author

Who am I? That’s a good question…I will let you know as soon as I have found out.

If you want some labels, I am a father, friend, son, entrepreneur, sport lover, contrarian thinker, lover (not a fighter), speaker, coach, business owner and self-crowned comedian – If the book does well, I will keep that final label!!

I am me. Trying, day by day, to show up as the best version I can; and going to sleep better for the experience. Maximising every minute of life. Imperfectly perfect, vulnerable, living and speaking my truth about the things that matter to me.

Background

I grew up in a comfortable and loving working class (according to my mum) family in Yorkshire. I wanted for nothing, well actually, I wanted a LOT but I had everything I needed. As assumed, I did a ‘proper’ degree at Uni (none of that new-fangled computer shit) graduating in 1999 with a BSc in Chemistry, which, I never intended to use.

My first job was secured through the old boy network (more evidence of my working-class roots!!) and I was bumbling through life. In 2001, the WTC came tumbling down and my uncle died of cancer. I realised life was short and precious. I went off to travel the world and find myself.

I found a lot, but the boxed wine dulled my memory. Shackles not totally broken, I slipped back into ‘pleasing society’ on my return to the UK. I got a job, a house, and a steady girlfriend – as it turned out, none of which “I” wanted.

I spent the last 20 years, wondering why life was so easy but felt somewhat unfulfilled. Searching for something I shook the “etch-a-sketch” time and again in hard re-start after hard re-start. Don’t get me wrong, I have plenty of amazing ‘unconscious successes’ and don’t regret a single minute of it but I knew there was more to life.

I am now living that life. Simply showing up as the best version of myself I can, every single day, not compromising on some core life values

Speaking my Truth
Thinking for myself
Living a life that I love
Doing the things that I am passionate about
Facilitating positive change in the World

As Dr Alban said so prophetically – “It’s my life, take it or leave it, ITS. MY. LIFE. ” … Welcome to the journey.