SHIRIN

ETESSAM

I help ignite creativity and resilience in adults by championing the vital role of play for personal and professional growth, with a playful yet profound approach to unlocking potential and fostering innovation.

Author | Speaker | Entrepreneur | Play Expert

Shirin Etessam is a renowned play expert and storyteller, blending her background in film, TV, and branded content with a deep passion for the transformative power of play. Following a pivotal life event, Shirin embarked on a journey that shifted her focus from external achievements to the joys of internal fulfillment through play. With over a decade of dedicated research and exploration, she harnesses the principles of curiosity, creativity, and spontaneity to promote mental and spiritual health. Shirin advocates for integrating play into all facets of life, emphasizing its crucial role in today’s world for achieving true contentment and joy. Her work stands at the intersection of science and play, aiming to enlighten others on its essential benefits for our well-being.

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Testimonials

Reading FREE TO BE helped me slowly untangle all the false stories I’d been telling myself for years, so that I could truly rewrite my narrative in a way that feels true to me. So often, I bail out on self-help books before I ever make it to the payoff. But this process spoke to my soul’s desire to live my life authentically, wholly and full of play.

- Darrah Maclean

Brand Storyteller

“In German we say, “das Ziel ist der Weg.” It translates to, “the goal is the journey.” And I am thankful to Shirin for taking me on this journey … her journey. I’m grateful for the clarity, the process and the pragmatism. Whether you have faced a setback or are looking for a way to reset, Shirin’s process and weekly exercises are essential tools to help achieve a whole life.”
- Traci Möller

Content Strategist

“What a great book for creating a support system to a more mindful life. The vulnerability that Shirin brings as she shares her own experience is the bedrock of the book, lending a safe and supportive air to the reader’s journey. The exercises can be deeply introspective, or playful, and are sometimes both at once…with something for everyone.”
- Regina Buckley

President, Guardian News & Media (US)

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