Voice of a Leader, Podcast Episode #4: David Shamszad

By Alanna Fairey

Loyal podcasters, please rejoice: our fourth episode of the Voice of a Leader podcast is now live! And this month, David Shamszad, CEO of SG Real Estate, will be sharing his insights with our host, Lanisa Farnsworth.

Of all the clients that have shared their stories with us, David’s story is the kind that sticks with you - the kind that will make you believe in the power of resilience and the human spirit. 

In an effort to escape early untreated symptoms of depression and trauma at home, David turned to drugs and alcohol. Though a passion for reading eventually helped him out of trouble and led him to Dartmouth College, he continued to rely on alcohol to cope with an undiagnosed illness. When he was in his early twenties, after experiencing severe mania and depression, David was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This marked the beginning of a decade-long struggle with dual diagnosis: mental illness and addiction. 

Today, David’s life is vastly different from the life he seemed destined to live. 

David is a husband, father, and CEO of a growing, eight-figure real estate company based in San Francisco. Like so many others who struggle in silence, David isn’t defined by his mental illness. Today, he is an Advocate for dual diagnosis and an all-around inspiration for so many entrepreneurs, leaders, and young men across the globe.

Anyone who struggles with a mental illness knows what an isolating and lonely experience it can be, especially when no one understands what you’re going through. The same can be said about Imposter Syndrome.

To combat both, David finds purpose and fulfillment in servant leadership, helping others the same way he was once helped. 

“I feel my most fulfilled and the most in touch with my purpose, if you will, when I am in service to other people. That's what I've figured out over these last years of my life is what gets me out of bed in the morning is the idea that I can go to work and I can help people here,” David says. “I can help them learn and grow as professionals or individuals so that I can help our customers, the people that we serve at our business.”

Explore David’s story further by listening to the complete episode here!

Alanna Fairey is a Client Engagement Specialist at Brand of a Leader. To speak with us about building your personal brand, click here.