Why I Write

I’m not getting any younger.

The last eight years have taken my life in a different direction, and the last three in particular have reshaped how I think, work and live - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma talks about your four “interior empires”: health set, mindset, heart set and soul set. That stuck with me. Because over time, I’ve learned that you can appear successful on the outside and still feel completely misaligned on the inside.

I’ve also lost people recently, family and friends, some older, some far too young. That kind of loss gives you perspective. It makes you stop and ask:

What am I doing? Why am I doing it? And who am I doing it for?

That’s why I write.

I’ve had the opportunity to start again.

But I didn’t fully realise it at the time.

Years ago, I underwent major brain surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. I came out of it physically repaired, but mentally and emotionally I still wasn’t right. It took another two and a half years, a breakdown and a lot of reflection to understand I hadn’t actually rebuilt anything yet.

That became my turning point.

I stopped pretending everything was fine. I asked for help. I began the longer, slower work of realignment - of learning how to lead myself, manage my energy and reconnect with the values I’d drifted away from.

That’s why I write.

Not to position myself as an expert.

Not to posture.

But to offer something real, in case it helps you reflect, grow or simply feel less alone on your own journey.

I’ve worked in the military, in engineering, on construction projects, in consultancy and now run my own business. I’ve navigated politics, burnout, fatherhood, breakdown and recovery.

I’ve made a lot of mistakes.

I’m still learning.

But I’m still here.

And I want to write.

‘Under the Surface’ is my newsletter for project professionals like you:

• People doing demanding work under pressure

• People with ambition but without clear support

• People who care about getting it right - for others and for themselves

• People who want to lead and live on their own terms

Each week, I’ll share a short reflection, story or tool that speaks to that experience. Some of it will be personal. Some of it will be professional. But all of it will be honest.

If this resonates, I’d love for you to stay with me.

And if, at some point, you want to go deeper, I’ve built something for that too - Pathfinder. You’ll hear more about it in time.

For now, I’m just glad you’re here.

Gerwyn

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