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Derek Arden, joined by the remarkable Sean West—former British soldier turned successful entrepreneur and elite security specialist.
Welcome to this week’s exciting episode of Monday Night Live!
Hello everyone, I’m Derek Arden and welcome to another inspiring edition of Monday Night Live.
Incredible Journey of Shaun West
Welcome to this week’s Monday Night Live hosted by Derek Arden, where we were joined by the remarkable Shaun West—former British soldier turned successful entrepreneur and elite security specialist. In this gripping episode, Shaun opens up about his time in the British Army, high-stakes missions around the globe, and the surprising lessons he learned on his journey to becoming a business owner in the ultra-demanding world of private security.
🪖 Life in the British Army: Grit, Growth & Global Missions
Shaun’s journey began at just 16 years old when he enlisted in the British Army, entering a world of extreme physical and mental challenge. He shares what it was like to grow up fast in the military—how tough the initial training was, how many didn’t make it through, and what it meant to finally “earn the beret.”
From Northern Ireland to Beijing and Afghanistan, Shaun found himself on presidential security teams and deep within hostile regions, gaining life-changing experience and resilience. He spoke about the camaraderie and chemistry among soldiers from diverse backgrounds—people from all over the world uniting in shared missions.
💣 On the Ground in Afghanistan: Frontline Perspective
Shaun gave us an eye-opening look at early post-9/11 operations in Afghanistan, including some close calls and complicated missions. While he didn’t personally negotiate with the Taliban, he worked closely with government agencies and serious organized crime units—always with the aim of protecting others under incredibly high-pressure conditions.
💼 Transitioning to Civilian Life: From Operator to Entrepreneur
Returning to the UK, Shaun pivoted into the private security industry, starting out as an operator for high-net-worth individuals, including celebrities and professional athletes. His reputation for calm professionalism quickly grew: clients often asked, “Can we have Shaun again?”
But running a business was a whole new battlefield. Shaun candidly discusses the difference between being a top-tier operator and running a company—where you have to switch from chess piece to chess player, thinking strategically rather than just executing tasks.
📈 Business Booms and Busts: Lessons in Resilience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaun’s business flourished. Russian clients were doubling down on protection, creating a boom in demand. But that success was short-lived. When sanctions hit after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Shaun lost 90% of his business in just three weeks.
It was a brutal lesson in client diversification and risk management—but one that didn’t break him. Instead, it forged a smarter, more agile entrepreneur.
⚽ Protecting Footballers, Families & Fortunes
Ever wondered what it takes to protect a footballer earning £350,000 a week? Shaun takes us behind the scenes of match-day security, residential protection, and family safeguarding. Footballers might not always need round-the-clock bodyguards, but their schedules are public, making them vulnerable—and Shaun’s team is ready for every scenario.
🐶 Dogs, Networks & Due Diligence
We also talked about the crucial role of security dogs and how intuitive they are in escalating or de-escalating situations. Shaun shared how trust and a tight-knit professional network help him avoid “bad actors” trying to sneak into the industry—his vetting process is all about reputation, referrals, and relationships.
💡 Final Thoughts: Resilience, Public Speaking & Facing Your Fears
Shaun leaves us with some incredibly powerful insights into mental toughness, taking action despite fear, and why he found public speaking scarier than being shot at. Yes, really! Even after everything he’s faced, stepping on a TEDx stage was his Everest.
His advice to the younger generation?
👉 “Step into the ring. You don’t need the conditions to be perfect—just take the action.”
📣 Don’t Miss This Episode!
Whether you’re in the military, building a business, or just trying to find your path—Shaun West’s story is packed with lessons on courage, resilience, and transformation.
👇 Watch now, leave a comment, and tell us:
What was your biggest takeaway from Shaun’s story? subscribe for more inspiring conversations on Monday Night Live with Derek Arden.
✅ Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
Derek Arden
View all episodes
By Derek Arden - negotiatonsWelcome to this week’s exciting episode of Monday Night Live!
Hello everyone, I’m Derek Arden and welcome to another inspiring edition of Monday Night Live.
Incredible Journey of Shaun West
Welcome to this week’s Monday Night Live hosted by Derek Arden, where we were joined by the remarkable Shaun West—former British soldier turned successful entrepreneur and elite security specialist. In this gripping episode, Shaun opens up about his time in the British Army, high-stakes missions around the globe, and the surprising lessons he learned on his journey to becoming a business owner in the ultra-demanding world of private security.
🪖 Life in the British Army: Grit, Growth & Global Missions
Shaun’s journey began at just 16 years old when he enlisted in the British Army, entering a world of extreme physical and mental challenge. He shares what it was like to grow up fast in the military—how tough the initial training was, how many didn’t make it through, and what it meant to finally “earn the beret.”
From Northern Ireland to Beijing and Afghanistan, Shaun found himself on presidential security teams and deep within hostile regions, gaining life-changing experience and resilience. He spoke about the camaraderie and chemistry among soldiers from diverse backgrounds—people from all over the world uniting in shared missions.
💣 On the Ground in Afghanistan: Frontline Perspective
Shaun gave us an eye-opening look at early post-9/11 operations in Afghanistan, including some close calls and complicated missions. While he didn’t personally negotiate with the Taliban, he worked closely with government agencies and serious organized crime units—always with the aim of protecting others under incredibly high-pressure conditions.
💼 Transitioning to Civilian Life: From Operator to Entrepreneur
Returning to the UK, Shaun pivoted into the private security industry, starting out as an operator for high-net-worth individuals, including celebrities and professional athletes. His reputation for calm professionalism quickly grew: clients often asked, “Can we have Shaun again?”
But running a business was a whole new battlefield. Shaun candidly discusses the difference between being a top-tier operator and running a company—where you have to switch from chess piece to chess player, thinking strategically rather than just executing tasks.
📈 Business Booms and Busts: Lessons in Resilience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaun’s business flourished. Russian clients were doubling down on protection, creating a boom in demand. But that success was short-lived. When sanctions hit after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Shaun lost 90% of his business in just three weeks.
It was a brutal lesson in client diversification and risk management—but one that didn’t break him. Instead, it forged a smarter, more agile entrepreneur.
⚽ Protecting Footballers, Families & Fortunes
Ever wondered what it takes to protect a footballer earning £350,000 a week? Shaun takes us behind the scenes of match-day security, residential protection, and family safeguarding. Footballers might not always need round-the-clock bodyguards, but their schedules are public, making them vulnerable—and Shaun’s team is ready for every scenario.
🐶 Dogs, Networks & Due Diligence
We also talked about the crucial role of security dogs and how intuitive they are in escalating or de-escalating situations. Shaun shared how trust and a tight-knit professional network help him avoid “bad actors” trying to sneak into the industry—his vetting process is all about reputation, referrals, and relationships.
💡 Final Thoughts: Resilience, Public Speaking & Facing Your Fears
Shaun leaves us with some incredibly powerful insights into mental toughness, taking action despite fear, and why he found public speaking scarier than being shot at. Yes, really! Even after everything he’s faced, stepping on a TEDx stage was his Everest.
His advice to the younger generation?
👉 “Step into the ring. You don’t need the conditions to be perfect—just take the action.”
📣 Don’t Miss This Episode!
Whether you’re in the military, building a business, or just trying to find your path—Shaun West’s story is packed with lessons on courage, resilience, and transformation.
👇 Watch now, leave a comment, and tell us:
What was your biggest takeaway from Shaun’s story? subscribe for more inspiring conversations on Monday Night Live with Derek Arden.
✅ Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
Derek Arden