Maybe you’ve heard of him, maybe not but you will get to know this incredible man from Australia who has changed many lives through his uniquely titled blog, The Urban Monk. 

I first found out about him months ago through Priscilla’s now-famous list of Personal Development sites. One day I was systematically visiting sites from this gigantic list to see who else was out there writing, blogging and speaking like me.  When I came upon Albert’s, I stopped dead in my tracks.  Words like love, compassion, acceptance leapt from almost every page he had on there.  I was completely taken in, which very rarely happens.  It takes a special kind of person to get me to the enraptured state of mind where I want to digest even more of the writer’s words.

I felt compelled to get in touch with Albert so I sent an introductory email complimenting his work.  We ended up writing back and forth for several months, becoming each other’s subscribers, supporters and even advisers, learning much in the process.  

One day last week, I was hit with the inspiration to invite him for an interview at Adversity University not only because I thought if Albert can inspire me with his work (and thus inspire you as well), he’s also a great example of someone who has surely experienced his share of adversity.   

Here’s what I found on the ”About” page at The Urban Monk:

I was born with disadvantages in almost all the important areas of life. While an intelligent, loyal, and big-hearted child, I was poor in social, emotional, physical, and spiritual skills.

Socially, I lacked street smarts and confidence; I was shy and highly sensitive. Physically, I was obese, asthmatic and clumsy. Emotionally and financially, I was sheltered by loving, well-meaning but over-protective parents – I was financially dependent and an emotional cripple.

It contributed to a slow spiral down low self-esteem, a slowly degrading body, a series of horrible relationships, emotional dependence and clinginess and a career that I achieved a Master’s degree in but was slowly losing passion for. The final low was depression that came and went over a few years.

My interview with this extraordinary young man will begin “airing” on Wednesday, December 5th with the first half.  The second part will be posted a week later, Wednesday, December 12. 

It is a sensational interview, packed with great snippets of love, compassion, self-depreciating humor and a level of transparency all of which I believe you will enjoy.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up subscribing to his blog - I hope you do because he is THAT GOOD!   

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