How to Live Authentically

The Surprising Cure for Loneliness and Disconnection

Published by Matt Holt Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

USA Today Bestseller

Real connection starts the moment you stop hiding who you actually are.

When everything around you feels broken, the way out isn't to fix what's outside of you—It's to rediscover the truth within.

Attorney and storyteller Judd Shaw had the success most people dream of: a thriving law firm, a yacht, private clubs, his face on billboards across town. But beneath the surface, he was drowning in addiction, isolation, and despair. When an arrest landed him in jail and contemplating suicide, he discovered a profound truth that changed everything: the greatest pain doesn't come from what happens to us—it comes from being disconnected from who we really are.

Now, Judd shares a revolutionary path for transforming shame, loneliness, and self-doubt into courage, clarity, and connection. Rooted in trauma research and lived experience, the Connection CURE Framework offers a clear, compassionate roadmap back to yourself:

C - Connection: Recognize when you've abandoned your authentic self

U - Understand: Identify the patterns that keep you stuck in disconnection

R - Renew: Reclaim your true self through self-compassion and healthy boundaries

E - Expand: Create ripple effects of authenticity that transform every relationship

This isn't another clinical self-help manual written from a distance—it's a lifeline from someone who’s climbed out of the same holes you might be in today. Judd’s message is clear and hard-won: authenticity is your superpower, and How to Live Authentically offers the surprising cure for loneliness and disconnection you’ve been searching for.

You don't have to be "fixed" to be free. You just have to be real.

About The Author

Judd Shaw spent two decades building one of New Jersey's most successful law firms. The firm was thriving. He was not. The work that followed — confronting addiction, isolation, and the distance between who he appeared to be and who he actually was — changed how he lives and leads. He now speaks to organizations and audiences nationwide about what it actually takes to close that gap. He is the president of Judd Shaw Injury Law, the host of the Behind the Armor podcast, and the creator of the award-winning Sterling the Knight children's book series.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Matt Holt Books (May 26, 2026)
  • Length: 240 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781637749135

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Raves and Reviews

“Judd Shaw's book is a gift: a gift to yourself and a gift to everyone who will benefit as you become your true, authentic self. Judd's pain led to wisdom. Here he shares that wisdom with you, so that you too can overcome tragedy and emerge triumphant.” 
—Eric Greitens, former Navy SEAL and New York Times Bestselling Author, Resilience  

“Most men are taught to look unbreakable while they’re quietly falling apart inside. Judd Shaw offers a different way. How to Live Authentically is a path back to solid ground: a way to rebuild from the inside out so you can lead with strength, compassion, and courage.” 
—Dan Doty, Relentless Advocate for Men and Boys   

“With incredible courage, honesty, and authenticity, Judd shares his path through trauma, dissociation, and disconnection, offering a deeply human story of self-discovery, growth, transformation, and, finally, connection with self. This is a book that stays with you.”
—Susan Penning, PhD, LCSW, MSSc, Trauma/PTSD Specialist 

“Judd delivers a powerful and accessible guide to unlocking the true power of authenticity and deep connection…. A must-read for anyone seeking genuine, fulfilling relationships and personal peace.” 
—Krista Williams, Author, Healer, Coach, and Host, Almost 30  

“If you or someone you know is on a similar journey, remember you’re not alone…Judd's journey can inspire you to begin your own path to healing.” 
Dan Cockerell, former Vice President, Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park

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