Shaen’s fully story..

About Shaen and One Life – Live It

It was a late evening in 2000, and a storm raged across the California coast. Soaked to the bone, Shaen stood on the edge of a cliff, his mind racing, consumed by desperation. He yelled into the wind, demanding answers from God. Three days of turmoil had brought him to this moment—one step forward, and it would all be over. Convinced the world would be better off without him, he braced himself for the end. But instead of stepping off the cliff, Shaen took a different leap—a leap into self-reflection and self-discovery. He chose the harder path: to rebuild, redefine, and reclaim his life.

Shaen’s journey began long before that stormy night. Raised in a blended family, he grew up grappling with feelings of rejection after his biological father abandoned him as an infant. At seven, he learned that the man he had always called “Dad” was actually his stepfather. Though his stepfather had adopted him, by adolescence their relationship was filled with strain, conflict, and, at times, emotional and physical abuse. As family tensions grew, Shaen struggled to find acceptance, he was an outcast in his own home and family. Searching for belonging, he turned to friendships, relationships, and sports, where he found his escape.

A talented athlete, Shaen excelled in multiple sports and earned a college basketball scholarship. But fate had other plans. A botched routine surgery damaged a nerve in his leg, derailing his basketball career and forcing him to abandon his dreams. Left without his identity as an athlete, disconnected from his family, and drowning in emotional turmoil, Shaen spiraled into depression. He lost his way, struggling with financial instability, unhealthy relationships, and the overwhelming feeling of being completely alone.

That was when he decided to run—to drive to California, where he would either end it all or start anew. Instead of choosing despair, Shaen chose transformation. He began journaling, unpacking years of pain, anger, and disappointment. He confronted his demons, from his father’s abandonment to his struggles with self-worth. He made a decision: he would no longer be defined by his past. He would define his future.

Returning to Colorado, Shaen faced the difficult realities of his life head-on. He called off his engagement, took responsibility for his past mistakes, and worked tirelessly to put himself through college. Through sheer determination, he rebuilt his life from the ground up. Over the next 20 plus years, he found and forgave his biological father, rekindled his relationship with his stepfather, and earned both an undergraduate degree and an MBA. He climbed the corporate ladder and became a successful entrepreneur, founding over a dozen companies. Most importantly, he met and married his best friend, Meghan, and together, they built a beautiful life with their three children.

Now, at 47, Shaen is entering the next chapter of his journey. Having overcome what felt like insurmountable obstacles early in life, he’s ready to give back. He’s launching One Life – Live It, a podcast channel dedicated to inspiring and empowering others. Through daily motivation, in-depth interviews, and heartfelt conversations with his wife, Meghan, Shaen is sharing his story—and the stories of others—to help people find hope, purpose, and the courage to live their best lives.

Shaen believes that no matter how dark the past may be, the future is ours to create. His story is proof that with resilience, reflection, and a willingness to change, anything is possible. Now, through One Life – Live It, he’s on a mission to help others do the same.