Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Kerwin Rae
What are you going to do with the chance that you've got?
✏️ ON MY MIND
Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Kerwin Rae
Last night, I started seeing posts on Facebook about the sudden passing of Kerwin Rae. It hit me hard.
If you’ve never heard of him, Kerwin Rae was one of Australia's most well-known business strategists and motivational speakers. Over the years, he helped countless entrepreneurs grow their businesses, but more importantly, he empowered people to take control of their lives.
Kerwin was a man who overcame countless challenges—drug addiction, ADHD, dyslexia, and multiple near-death experiences—including a stroke. Despite these setbacks, he built a successful empire, sharing his wisdom and experiences to help others live their best lives. His seminars, workshops, and online presence inspired millions across the world.
This morning, as I tried to make sense of his passing, I found myself watching a video he recently posted on his YouTube channel. It felt eerie, yet deeply poignant, given what had just happened.
Here’s the transcript:
"I'm actually really excited for tomorrow, especially if I wake up. Yeah, I honestly think death has so much to teach us about life. You know, I often think that the reason I was given seven near-death experiences is because I'm a little bit stubborn, and I needed to be shook a few times before I really woke up. Ever since my stroke, I've just never lived the same way again. I just don't take anything for granted. I know any day could be my last. I know every moment with my son could be the last moment, and it just drives me to give my everything whenever I'm given a moment.
If I've got an opportunity to do something and express something that I love, I just give it everything that I have while I'm there. And I want that to be the example for you—to just show up in the same way. I'm no different than you. We're all five bucks in a jar. You know, what's your excuse? There are so many people out there right now that are just kicking your ass, and they're in such worse condition than you are—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally—yet they're still kicking your ass. But they're using their stuff as reasons to do, not reasons to be held back and excuses as to why they can't.
Tomorrow is a new day, and every day gives us a second chance by giving us tomorrow. And not everybody gets a second chance. Not everybody gets a tomorrow. And let's not wait for you to almost lose your life, and let's not wait for someone close to you to perhaps lose their life to give you the inspiration that's required. It's up to you from here. The question is, what are you going to do about this?"
That video took on a whole new meaning today. The relevance and emotion of his words in light of what has happened are striking. While Kerwin might not have known who I was, I certainly knew him. I attended my first Kerwin Rae seminar around 2011, and I’ve been following him online ever since.
Every now and then, one of his videos would pop up on my feed—timely and inspiring. Even when it wasn’t directly applicable to my situation, like his parenting videos (I’m not a parent), they still made me think differently. Kerwin had that rare ability to be relevant and authentic, no matter the audience.
Dan Norris, a fellow entrepreneur, wrote a touching tribute to Kerwin on his blog today. He shared something that really resonated with me:
"Reading back through our messages, I realised how often I was being selfish and he was being selfless. He was always willing to help me, and I was kind of never really there to reciprocate.
That’s not really something you think about when someone is still here. But I’m thinking about it now.
RIP Kerwin, you were great."
That selflessness Dan mentioned? That’s what I admired most about Kerwin. He was always there for others, giving without expecting anything in return. He was undeniably himself—raw, real, and willing to share his journey so others could learn and grow.
As I reflect on his life and his passing, I find myself asking: How will I be remembered? I want to leave behind the same legacy—someone who was authentic, who inspired, and who was always willing to help.
What are you going to do about it?
Kerwin's final challenge to us rings loud and clear. For me, I want to be that person who lifts others up, who leaves a positive impact without expecting anything in return.
Rest in peace, Kerwin. You were indeed a light in this world.
-Anf
(Drafted with the help of ChatGPT-4 Plus. Image by Dall-E)
Related resources:
Last Breath - a poem I wrote for my late father-in-law after he passed away in June, 2024
Breath by Breath - an excerpt from a book that helps me move through challenging times:
👍 PUBLISHED + WORK IN PROGRESS
1/ CMOs & Marketing Leads: What’s your approach to allocating marketing budgets for small companies?
3/ Are Tiny Houses Still Affordable Today? The True Cost of Tiny Living
4/ What better way to start the day than hitting the 🏀 court for a friendly social?
👍 3 THINGS THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION
1/ Read: How Brands Grow: What Marketers Don't Know by Byron Sharp
I’ve read a LOT of marketing books, and this one is different because of its rigorous scientific methodology. Sharp challenges established marketing myths (which frankly cause many marketing campaigns to fail), and its focus on practical, evidence-based strategies for achieving brand growth is refreshing.
2/ Watch: The "Modern Day Slaves" Of The AI Tech World
Warning: this video is disturbing.
Did you know that tech giants like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Uber rely on an invisible workforce to function? These workers, often earning less than minimum wage, label images, moderate content, and train AI systems. Their contributions are critical to the success of these companies, yet they remain underpaid and unrecognised, quietly powering the tech we use every day.
3/ Listen: $100k Hosting Local Craft Workshops as a Side Hustle
See you next week,
Anf Chansamooth
PS. – Did you get value from this newsletter? If yes, then please:
Forward it to someone else who might find it useful too.
Consider supporting my work and becoming a paid subscriber.