To make a positive impact in someone else's life is to understand true fulfilment.
Andy McCarthy overcame a deeply troubled childhood, misunderstood with raging ADHD and feeling like he didn't belong wherever he went. He had a fierce passion and energy inside him that burned deeply, he just needed to find a channel for it.
After fleeing the school system at 16 to escape years of torment and bullying, Andy connected his first solar panel at 19 and suddenly found himself powered by a purpose; to accelerate the world's transition to renewable energy. And he would do it in the heart of coal country in Victoria's Latrobe Valley.
After founding a solar business in the garage of his family home in a small village, Andy overcame years of ridicule and setbacks, and went on to build one of the largest employers of its kind in the country; Gippsland Solar.
After 10 years of exponential growth, Andy secured the deal of a lifetime and every founder's dream; an acquisition by RACV. After joining the board and becoming CEO and MD of RACV Solar, Andy went on to employ hundreds of people and became of Australia's foremost experts on energy transition.
But the runaway success of Andy's business took a terrible personal toll. At the height of his business journey, he found himself rushed to hospital. He was riddled by anxiety, panic attacks and crippling inflammation, and physically unable to leave the house or even to answer a phone.
After trying to hide these struggles from his team and his family, Andy realised that something had to give. To get his life back and to rediscover true happiness, he would have to make a transition of his own.
Andy is a regular on the podcast on speaking circuit, and has written about his life and business journey entitled Here Comes The Sun.
Talking Points
Leadership
Andy speaks about leadership with passion and vulnerability. He has experienced the entire spectrum of leadership, having founded his business in the family garage, and going on to become one of the country's largest employers in the renewable energy sector. Leadership
Andy knows what it takes to build a team and a culture, and loves nothing more than to empower someone and watch them flourish. Andy's approach of 'leading from behind' is the key reason that he was able to achieve so much in a short period of time.
Mental Health for Leaders
Andy understands the loneliness and personal toll of leadership like few others. After starting from humble beginnings (and enduring a few false starts), his business enjoyed runaway success, going on to employ hundreds of people across the country, and found himself traveling the world to present at conferences. Mental Health for Leaders
But the incredible success of his business, and the side-effects of being a renewable energy advocate in a coal-dominated region, brought a crippling toll upon him. Andy felt like he had no one to confide in about his panic attacks, anxiety and mental health challenges.
After suffering in silence for some time, eventually the pressure became too much to bear and Andy decided to open up to his employees and his family. Andy has since discovered the joy and fulfilment of being vulnerable with those around him. By leading from the front and creating a safe space for his team, Andy created a powerful and deeply connected company culture, where these conversations are normalized, encouraged and supported.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Andy is a passionate advocate for raising awareness of Mental Health & Wellbeing. After enduring his own crippling battles for years, Andy is on a mission to stimulate these conversations and create a more connected world. Mental Health & Wellbeing
Andy has written a book about his downfall and subsequent recovery, and his podcasts and keynote presentations have reached many hundreds of thousands of people across the globe. His story is vulnerable, emotional, and has caused him to shed the odd tear when recounting his own journey and the lessons he learnt the hard way.
Wellbeing for Founders
Andy has a deep understanding of the highs and lows of being a founder. On paper, he achieved every founder's dream; building a hugely successful business, making several acquisitions along the way, and going on to secure an acquisition of his own by one of Australia's most recognized and trusted hands. Wellbeing for Founders
Andy also endured many years of setbacks; drowning in a sea of self-doubt, managing the stress of mounting debts, and upon achieving the success he desperately craved, found himself completely out of his depth and suffering from crippling imposter syndrome. He has captured these lessons in his recently-published memoir Here Comes The Sun, which serves as a blueprint on how to overcome the typical challenges of a founder and realise your wildest business dreams.
Sustainability & Energy Transition
As a lifelong renewable energy advocate, Andy felt the full force of resistance in 2010, when he moved to the coal-dominated region of the Latrobe Valley. He endured years of ridicule, abuse and scorn throughout his professional and personal life, but his unwavering belief helped him to overcome this. Sustainability & Energy Transition
Andy's business became one of the largest employers in the Latrobe Valley within 5 years, installed the first free electric vehicle charging station in Victoria, and became the 'face' of energy transition in the region. He has worked with politicians, thought leaders and energy transition authorities from across the globe, appearing in award-winning documentaries and publishing a number of opinion pieces about the opportunities within the energy transition.
Andy's relentlessly positive view of a net-zero world, combined with his experience of 'walking the walk', has established him as a highly sought-after speaker on the topic of energy transition.
ADHD & Neurodiversity
As someone who suffered from ADHD (impulsive) in the early 1990's, Andy found a school and societal system that didn't understand him. He was lonely, drifting between social groups with no sense of belonging, and suffered relentless bullying for years before fleeing the school system at 15. ADHD & Neurodiversity
Once Andy discovered his purpose and had something to direct his burning passion towards, he achieved more than many others could ever dream of. Despite a turbulent childhood, Andy always believed that ADHD was his superpower, and believes that neuro-divergent people are the ones who can change the world.
Andy derives great satisfaction from mentoring others (particularly young people) who feel misunderstood or alone in the world, regularly appearing at primary and secondary schools, universities and TAFE training colleges to speak openly about his journey and provide hope to others.
Andy’s powerful and inspiring account is a ray of hope. His fascinating journey from a troubled youth to becoming a leader in Australia’s energy transition – the highs and lows told with hon ... keep reading Climate 200
Andy’s story is a compelling message for everyone. As an entrepreneur who can relate to many of his highs and lows, I found Andy’s journey both inspiring and enlightening – a true testament to the power of resilience and innovation in driving positive change.
Personal. Compelling. Insightful. A captivating account of an incredible success story, which provides inspiration for those of us across the globe who have admired Andy’s journey.
An inspirational story; a must for any aspiring leader.
