An unexpected book that readers are calling “breathtakingly honest,” “courageous,” “gripping,” “intense,” “inspiring,” and “beautiful.” Life Becomes Our Greatest Teacher When bereaved father Nick Shaw decided to write a book about the lessons he’s learned from his three sons — William, Kai, and Bodhi — he knew that his story would begin with the tragic death of his oldest son, William. He also knew that My Teacher, My Son wasn’t a grief book but a life book. Nick knew that, despite our differences, we all struggle with big, complex concepts like being yourself, letting go, being present, and finding connection — in our lives, our work, our families, and our communities. Heralded as “heart-piercing” and “heart-empowering,” My Teacher, My Son takes readers inside the mind and heart of an introspective man — a father, husband, son, brother, neighbor, friend, and accomplished business leader who never imagined he would write a book about uncommon tragedy and the universal challenges of the human condition. A Portrait of Sharp Contrasts — Heartbreaking and Hopeful, Insightful and Inspirational On February 19, 2019, Nick Shaw’s family suffered the unbearable. What started out as a magical day — skiing at Big Sky, Montana — ended in the tragic death of Nick’s nine-year-old son, William. In the days after William’s death, amidst the fog of deep grief, the phrase “my teacher, my son” came to Nick in a moment of clarity. In that instant, he realized that William had been teaching him powerful lessons since the day he was born. Now, those lessons have found their way to the world at large. And William’s story continues … A Must-Read Book for Anyone Wanting to Regain Clarity and Control … in Life and at Work Nick Shaw is proof that bad things happen to good people, but that life gives us the tools we need to succeed and survive. Nick’s introspective nature and his talents as an executive coach served him well as he navigated the complex emotions following his son’s death. And his son’s death gave him new perspectives on serving his clients — and now, his readers. We all know it to be true — in life and at work, we will suffer losses and change. Nick tells us: “The only way to pick ourselves up is to honor what was , accept what is , and embrace what will be with an open mind and heart.” “It seems impossible that a book about unimaginable grief could offer so much hope, yet that is the gift of My Teacher, My Son. With breathtaking honesty, Nick Shaw shows how love, joy, and continued connection co-exist with loss, change, and challenge. The courage of Nick’s self-reflection empowers each of us to find a way forward. A truly heart-empowering read.” --Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Research Psychologist, Stanford University Lecturer, and Author of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage “With gripping intensity, Nick Shaw shares the terror of losing his nine-year-old son in an accident on a mountain after sharing a much-anticipated summit ski. Nick is determined to investigate his grief in a way that maintains a loving connection to his son and serves as an example to readers of his powerful memoir, My Teacher, My Son. Fueled by the knowledge that things can change in a moment, he calls on us to pause and be with the complex terrain of grief; he inspires us to move into the strength that comes from exploring our vulnerability so we may ultimately become more present in our lives. While healing is not linear and is deeply personal, Nick courageously shares his journey so we all feel less alone with unimaginable loss.” --Nancy Rappaport, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Author of The Behavior Code and In Her Wake “This heart-piercing book is a tragic story, authentically and beautifully told. Nick Shaw brings the reader into deep resonance with the entire arc of his experience, with precise sharing of all the emotions ― panic, pain, despair, yearning ― all the understandable ruminations and all his efforts to reach again for joy, connection, and meaning. It is a short read but an intensely impactful story that bravely reminds every one of us to learn from loss, deal with our demons, make life matter, and focus on love above all else.” --Michelle Brody, PhD, Executive Coach, Clinical Psychologist, and Author of Stop the Fight! An Illustrated Guide for Couples and Own Your Armor: Revolutionary Change for Workplace Culture Nick Shaw is an accomplished executive coach, author, and speaker known for his profound insights into personal transformation, self-discovery, and authentic leadership. Through much reflection and soul-searching, Nick has realized a need to help others find ways of living more intentional and meaningful lives. As an executive coach, Nick works with leaders to help them fully embrace the privilege of being a leader to help them create environments where their team members can thrive. Nick is the co-founder of Mirrorbox