Why is this subject, “My Teacher, My Son,” important in the world?
The topic is important to me because I believe that too many people suffer unnecessarily from issues of mental health. More often than not these issues stem from early life experiences where certain beliefs and narratives were formed that might have been helpful then, but today no longer serve us and get in our way. As an executive coach, I have worked with thousands of leaders and have noticed that many of my clients grapple with their own limiting beliefs and fears, leading to lives lived on autopilot, devoid of true fulfillment. If there is one thing that losing my son has taught me, it’s that we only have this one life to live, and we should be more intentional with how we choose to live it. We should pause every so often to connect with where we are and if necessary, alter course.
What is the pressing issue right and how are you addressing it?
The pressing issue is mental health. Many people suffer unnecessarily because they are unable or unwilling to confront the things that are getting in the way of them having more fulfilling and meaningful lives. For many, this means hiding a part of themselves because they are afraid of being judged or perceived as less than. Further adding to this is the fact that many people are overly scheduled and busy and don’t allow themselves to take the time to pause and reflect on the changes they need to make in their lives to be happier.
Nick Shaw Biography
What is your background in this subject?
My background on the subject is mainly experiential. I draw on the insights I have gained by having had to face one of the worst things that can happen to a parent – losing a child. I also draw on my experience as an executive coach, where I have learned a lot about human behavior. I firmly believe that my experience as a coach allowed me to process my grief and come to the insights that I share in my book. It gave me a process and a language that I could use to make sense of how I was feeling after losing William, as well as to learn from the experience.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I am a fraternal twin, and being a twin has had a huge impact on my life. My brother and I are very close, and I cherish our relationship. As a child, being a twin was quite challenging for me and caused me to judge myself quite a bit. It’s a journey I have been on for quite some time and one that losing my son has inspired me to face head-on.
What are your passions outside of your career?
When I am not working, I like to spend time with my family outdoors doing activities such as hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and stand-up paddle boarding.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
A cause that is deeply important to me is mental health, particularly for kids. William grappled with anxiety, and we were able to get him a therapist that helped him overcome some of his insecurities. Not every family has access to these types of resources, and the more we can provide that access, the better. My wife, too, is very passionate about this cause, and she has channeled her grief into creating a non-for-profit organization, the William’s Be Yourself Challenge (www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org), whose mission is to help kids find the courage to be themselves.
What is next for you?
What’s next for me is continuing to share our story with the goal of helping people find ways to lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives. I hope to do this by continuing to promote my book as well as by doing speaking engagements and sharing the key themes of the book. I also want to take themes in my book and relate them to the challenges faced by leaders. I hope to do this through the company I co-founded called Mirrorbox Leadership Lab (www.mirrorboxleaershiplab.com).
My Teacher, My Son
Tell me about your book.
On February 19th, 2019, my son, William, died in a devastating ski accident during a family vacation in Big Sky, Montana. This heart-wrenching event catapulted me into a whirlwind of emotions, leaving me with an overwhelming desire to find purpose in what seemed like an inexplicable and senseless occurrence. Amidst the fog of deep grief, a moment of clarity arose, giving birth to the phrase “My Teacher, My Son,” which would become the foundation for my path toward healing and growth.
I realized that the most profound way to honor William’s memory was to embrace this painful experience as an opportunity for personal evolution. Through dedicated hours of meditation and self-reflection, I began to glean valuable lessons from the tragedy. This transformative process led me to confront my own insecurities and break free from the limitations imposed by my own beliefs and narratives.
I wanted to share my learnings so others can benefit from them. My Teacher, My Son, is an invitation to readers to embark on an introspective journey of their own. My hope is that this book will serve as a thought-provoking guide, urging individuals to examine their lives with honesty and self-compassion.
Where can people buy the book?
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/My-Teacher-Son-Lessons-Life/dp/B0CH7F5MGW
