It All Comes Down to Grit | Journalist, Shea Serrano
Jul 8, 2020
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Shea Serrano, a New York Times best-selling author and journalist, shares his inspiring journey from teaching to writing. He discusses how perseverance and hard work were key to providing for his family while overcoming fear throughout his creative process. Shea reflects on the impact of his upbringing on his identity and aspirations, and delves into how personal growth transformed family dynamics. He also addresses the evolution of his community initiative, emphasizing the balance between humor, philanthropy, and resilience in his work.
Shea Serrano's journey highlights the transformative power of hard work and resilience, shaped by his upbringing in a challenging environment.
He illustrates how confronting fear and vulnerability during the creative process can lead to authenticity and connection with the audience.
Serrano emphasizes the significance of financial success as a means to support family and engage in altruistic efforts for broader communities.
Deep dives
The Foundation of Hard Work
A core theme in Shay Serrano's life and work is the value of hard work, instilled through his upbringing. Observing his parents toiling at demanding jobs—his mother in retail and his father as a bus driver—taught him that facing challenges is a normal part of life. Rather than being daunted by the prospect of hard work in his own career, Serrano finds it manageable and worthwhile, particularly in the realm of writing, where sending multiple emails feels trivial compared to labor-intensive jobs. This perspective informs his resilience and determination to succeed in a creative field, allowing him to tackle challenges head-on.
Embracing Fear in the Creative Process
Serrano acknowledges that fear is an inherent part of the writing process, particularly the fear of public reception. He explains that while he experiences anxiety about whether his work will resonate with others, he learns to compartmentalize that fear during the writing phase. Each piece he writes begins to take shape, eventually leading him to believe in its quality, only to be gripped by anxiety upon submitting it for critique. This duality highlights his understanding that vulnerability is part of the creative process, enabling him to continuously produce while confronting his own insecurities.
Building a Vision for the Future
Serrano's life is framed by a vision shaped by his cultural background and experiences. He contemplates the limited life expectancy within his family and uses this perception to set realistic life goals, focusing on moments of significance as a father and writer. This vision evolves, emphasizing the importance of leaving behind a better life for his children and nurturing their independence and ambitions. The clarity of this vision drives his determination to work hard and build a legacy, contrasting the struggles he witnessed during his upbringing.
The Philosophy of Generosity
A significant aspect of Serrano's outlook on life revolves around the concept of using financial success for altruism. After achieving a measure of stability through his writing, he prioritizes caring for his family and providing for their needs. He not only aims to support his immediate family but gradually extends this ethos of care to a broader set of relatives. Serrano's commitment to generosity is mirrored in his philanthropic efforts, such as raising funds for those in need through his platform, demonstrating that success is about much more than personal gain.
Authenticity in Expression
Serrano maintains that authenticity is paramount in how he communicates with his audience. He blends humor and honesty in his writing, reflecting the richness of his experiences and perspectives. This authenticity resonates with his readers, as they connect with his real-life stories and insights. By being transparent about his vulnerabilities and the challenges he faces, Serrano creates a genuine dialogue that invites others to engage with his work and ideas on a deeper level.
This week’s conversation is with Shea Serrano, an author and journalist.
His books include The Rap Year Book, Basketball (and Other Things), and Movies (and Other Things), all three of which were New York Times best-sellers
Two of them were number one on the list and one was picked by Barack Obama as one of his favorite books of the year.
Shea is also known for his work with the sports and pop culture websites, The Ringer and Grantland.
This conversation is as real as it gets.
Shea used to be a teacher and he loved it -- but he couldn’t afford to take care of his family.
He had to figure out what else he could do and that led him to writing.
Shea’s story is about perseverance.
It’s about outworking the competition so he could provide for those closest to him.
It’s about pushing fear aside and going for it.
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