Forget What They Called You. What Do You Call Yourself?
by Aaron B. Kershaw
Reclaim Your Identity. Rewrite the Script. Remember Who You Were Before the World Told You Who to Be.
You weren’t born broken.
You became what the world kept telling you you had to be—tough, silent, reactive, numb. But underneath the labels, the mistakes, and the masks is a version of you that still knows the truth.
Who Am I, Really? is Book 1 in the Built from the Inside series, a trauma-informed social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum designed for justice-impacted individuals, people in reentry, and anyone rebuilding after trauma. This isn’t about self-help fluff—it’s about identity work that sticks.
This book helps you:
Trace who you were taught to be vs. who you really are
Unpack the early stories that shaped your behavior
Break the false identities that no longer serve you
Begin rewriting your self-definition based on truth, not trauma
Build a foundation for all future growth—in business, in healing, and in leadership
Each chapter includes:
3 core lessons
A real-life case study
A powerful personal tool (like the Identity Audit, Story Rewrite Sheet, and Self-Name Declaration)
Exercises and reflections
A capstone project to declare and define who you’re becoming
Whether you’ve spent years in the system, lost yourself trying to survive, or are just waking up to the question, “Who am I really?”—this book meets you with truth, clarity, and a path forward.
This is where the work begins. Because until you know who you are, you’ll keep living like who you’re not.
I’m a Marine veteran, author, and the founder of BrightPath Academy and BuildingBlocs Literacy. I create tools for real-life transformation—books, courses, and curriculum for people rebuilding from the inside out. If you're ready to grow, heal, and lead yourself forward, I’ve got your back.
Aaron B. Kershaw is the founder of BrightPath Academy and BuildingBlocs Literacy, two education platforms built to deliver practical transformation through social-emotional learning, financial literacy, leadership, and reentry training. His programs are used in correctional facilities, schools, churches, and community centers across the country. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and lifelong mentor, Aaron writes for people who weren’t handed a perfect start—and are ready to build something better anyway. From the Built from the Inside SEL series to financial education workbooks and youth development guides, his voice stays honest, grounded, and rooted in lived experience. Aaron’s mission is clear: To help people take back the pen and write their next chapter—stronger, smarter, and more self-led than the last. Through his books, courses, and nonprofit initiatives, Aaron empowers individuals and institutions to do more than survive their circumstances—he helps them build from them.
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