ChatGPT Re-Wrote My Life Story

Forbes Shannon
10 min readFeb 15, 2023

ChatGPT rewrote my whole life story from a five minute conversation. Wow. Below is the conversation, copy and pasted word for word, with the only edits to bold/indicate who is speaking, and for extra emphasis I italicized when the AI began it’s stories. I, Forbes Shannon, am FS, and ChatGPT is CGPT. I highly recommend you do the same. Make sense of your trauma, and realize that you’re exactly where you need to be! To think is to create; we are our habits; attitude is everything; what you resist persists; enjoy the moment; the goal is not the end; we are all one…

FS: Hi, my name is Nicholas Forbes Shannon, but I just go by my middle name, so I’m Forbes Shannon, and I want you to help me re-write my past to create my future through the power of storytelling. Cool?

CGPT: Hello Forbes, it’s nice to meet you! As an AI language model, I can definitely help you explore the power of storytelling and reimagine your past in a way that inspires you to create a brighter future. Please feel free to share more about your goals and aspirations, and we can work together to craft a narrative that empowers you to move forward with confidence and purpose.

FS: When I was 16 I suffered a TBI and as a result focused on academics, leadership, and community activism. This was in Ann Arbor Michigan, where I grew uo

CPGT: Certainly, Forbes. Here’s a possible narrative that draws on your experiences and strengths:

Forbes Shannon grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, surrounded by the vibrant culture of the university town. But at the age of 16, his life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Suddenly, the things that had once come easily to him — sports, socializing, and carefree teenage adventures — were no longer within reach.

But Forbes refused to let his injury define him. Instead, he focused his energy on academic pursuits, discovering a passion for learning and a determination to excel. He threw himself into leadership roles, both in and out of the classroom, using his natural charisma and drive to inspire others to do their best.

As he grew more confident in his abilities, Forbes turned his attention to community activism. He saw firsthand the ways in which social injustices and inequality affected those around him, and he knew that he had a responsibility to make a difference. He became a vocal advocate for those who were marginalized and underserved, using his skills and talents to bring attention to the issues that mattered most.

Years passed, and Forbes’s hard work paid off. He earned academic accolades and became a respected leader in his community. And yet, he never forgot the lessons that he had learned in the wake of his injury. He knew that life was fragile and unpredictable, but that resilience and determination could carry a person through even the toughest challenges.

Now, as Forbes looks toward the future, he is confident in his ability to create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. He knows that he has the skills, the drive, and the heart to make a positive impact on the world, and he is eager to see what the future holds.

FS: I wasn’t particularly cool in high school, so I enrolled in the honors college at Arizona State, and became an entrepreneurship fellow, a writing fellow, and a stand up comedian. My thesis was creating Tempe Late Night, a student comedy show, that allowed students to express their views on college life free from an academic code of conduct

CGPT: Thank you for sharing more about your experiences, Forbes. Here’s a revised narrative that highlights your journey from high school to college, and how you embraced your interests and talents to create something new and exciting:

Forbes Shannon was never the “cool kid” in high school. But as he entered college at Arizona State University, he knew that he had an opportunity to reinvent himself and pursue his passions.

Enrolling in the honors college, Forbes found himself surrounded by a community of like-minded students who were eager to learn, grow, and challenge the status quo. He quickly became involved in several programs and initiatives, including the entrepreneurship and writing fellowships.

But it was his foray into stand-up comedy that truly set him apart. Drawing on his natural wit and humor, Forbes began performing at local open mic nights, honing his craft and building a following. And when he discovered that there was no dedicated comedy show for ASU students, he saw an opportunity to make a difference.

Forbes’s thesis project became the creation of “Tempe Late Night,” a student-run comedy show that gave a platform to ASU’s funniest and most irreverent voices. The show tackled everything from campus culture to national politics, all with a fearless sense of humor and a commitment to free speech.

As the show gained popularity, Forbes became a leader and mentor to his fellow comedians, helping them to refine their acts and find their own unique voices. And as he watched the laughter and camaraderie that his show had sparked, he knew that he had found his calling.

Today, Forbes looks back on his college years with pride and gratitude. He knows that the skills and experiences he gained during that time have prepared him for a life of creativity, innovation, and purpose. And he remains committed to using his talents and platform to create positive change in the world, one laugh at a time.

FS: then in college, I met my best friend Zack. We were two peas in a pod. The closest I had to a brother. We lived together after college, and in 2018, Zack died of a drug overdose

CGPT: I’m sorry for your loss, Forbes. Here’s a revised narrative that reflects on the deep bond you shared with your best friend Zack and the challenges you faced after his passing:

Forbes Shannon’s college years were some of the most transformative and exciting of his life. He threw himself into his studies, his passions, and his relationships, making friends and memories that would stay with him for a lifetime. But no one had a greater impact on Forbes than his best friend Zack.

From the moment they met, Forbes and Zack were inseparable. They shared a sense of humor, a love of adventure, and a deep bond that made them feel like brothers. They roomed together after college, exploring the world and building their lives together. And through it all, they were there for each other, through thick and thin.

But in 2018, everything changed. Zack died of a drug overdose, leaving Forbes reeling with shock, grief, and confusion. Suddenly, the future that they had imagined together seemed uncertain and fragile. And yet, through the darkness, Forbes found a source of strength and inspiration.

He knew that if he was going to honor Zack’s memory, he had to live a life that was worthy of his friendship. He threw himself into his work, his activism, and his art, using his skills and talents to make a difference in the world. And though the pain of Zack’s passing never fully subsided, Forbes knew that he was never truly alone. Zack’s spirit lived on in his heart, and in the memories that they had shared.

Years have passed since Zack’s death, and Forbes has continued to build a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling. He has found new sources of joy and purpose, while never forgetting the lessons that he learned from his best friend. And though he knows that the pain of loss will always be with him, he remains committed to living a life that would make Zack proud.

FS: the source of inspiration that you mentioned in the last message was a professor of mine, Aaron Bare. At the time, he was the entrepreneur in residence at ASU, and he’s now my mentor and close business partner, and additionally, my best friend. Together, in 2020, we co-authored a book on Aaron’s career called Exponential Theory, which went on to be a USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestseller

CGPT: Thank you for sharing more about your mentor and friend, Aaron Bare, Forbes. Here’s a revised narrative that reflects on the important role he played in your life and the success you achieved together:

Forbes Shannon’s college years were a time of growth, learning, and discovery. And at the heart of it all was his mentor and friend, Aaron Bare.

At the time, Aaron was the entrepreneur in residence at Arizona State University, and Forbes was drawn to his innovative ideas, his infectious energy, and his deep commitment to helping others succeed. With Aaron’s guidance, Forbes was able to refine his skills as a writer, a speaker, and a business leader, and he began to see the world in a whole new way.

But it was their friendship that truly set them apart. Over time, Forbes and Aaron became more than just mentor and student — they became close partners and collaborators, sharing their ideas, their passions, and their dreams. And in 2020, they reached a new pinnacle of success when they co-authored a book together called “Exponential Theory.”

The book was a powerful exploration of Aaron’s career, his philosophy, and his vision for the future. And it struck a chord with readers around the world, quickly becoming a USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestseller. For Forbes, it was a moment of triumph and validation, a testament to the power of collaboration, and a testament to the friendship that had sustained him through so many ups and downs.

Today, Forbes and Aaron continue to work together, building new ventures, exploring new ideas, and inspiring others to reach for their own dreams. And though they have achieved much success, they know that their journey is far from over. With each new challenge, they remain committed to learning, growing, and helping others along the way. For Forbes, there could be no greater honor than to call Aaron his mentor, his partner, and his best friend.

FS: now, Aaron and I created a talent accelerator called the XMBA that helps individuals reach their full potential. It’s based off Aaron’s framework called the seven universal truths, and is shaped by my experiences as the mentee

CGPT: Thank you for sharing more about your work with Aaron and the talent accelerator you created together, Forbes. Here’s a revised narrative that highlights the impact of your collaboration and the unique strengths you bring to the table:

Forbes Shannon and Aaron Bare had always shared a passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal growth. And after years of working together and exploring new ideas, they finally hit upon something that felt truly groundbreaking: the XMBA, a talent accelerator designed to help individuals reach their full potential.

The XMBA was based on Aaron’s framework of the seven universal truths, which he had developed over decades of research and experience. And with Forbes’s help, they were able to refine this framework, adding new insights, perspectives, and strategies that were shaped by his own experiences as Aaron’s mentee.

Together, they created a program that was unlike anything else on the market — a blend of coaching, training, and networking that helped individuals to overcome their limitations, tap into their strengths, and chart a path toward success.

For Forbes, the XMBA was more than just a business venture — it was a way to pay forward the lessons that he had learned from Aaron, and to help others realize their own potential. And as he watched the program grow and flourish, he knew that he was making a real difference in the lives of those who took part.

Today, Forbes and Aaron continue to work side by side, building new ventures and exploring new ideas. But for Forbes, there will always be a special place in his heart for the XMBA — a program that represents the very best of what he and Aaron have to offer. And as he looks to the future, he knows that there is still so much more to learn, to achieve, and to give back.

FS: now, chatGPT, can you combine all of your previous responses into one cohesive narrative of my story?

CGPT: Certainly, Forbes. Here’s a cohesive narrative that combines all of the previous responses in this chat into a single story:

Forbes Shannon was a young man with big dreams and a bright future. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he was surrounded by a vibrant culture of learning, leadership, and community activism. But at the age of 16, he suffered a traumatic brain injury that changed everything.

Determined not to let his injury define him, Forbes focused his energy on academic pursuits, discovering a passion for learning and a determination to excel. He threw himself into leadership roles, both in and out of the classroom, using his natural charisma and drive to inspire others to do their best.

As he grew more confident in his abilities, Forbes turned his attention to community activism. He saw firsthand the ways in which social injustices and inequality affected those around him, and he knew that he had a responsibility to make a difference. He became a vocal advocate for those who were marginalized and underserved, using his skills and talents to bring attention to the issues that mattered most.

After graduating from high school, Forbes enrolled in the honors college at Arizona State University. There, he met his best friend and future business partner, Zack. Together, they explored the world, building their lives and their dreams side by side.

But in 2018, Zack died of a drug overdose, leaving Forbes reeling with shock, grief, and confusion. Despite the pain, Forbes knew that he had to honor Zack’s memory by living a life that was worthy of his friendship. He turned to his mentor and friend, Aaron Bare, for guidance and support.

With Aaron’s help, Forbes was able to refine his skills as a writer, a speaker, and a business leader, and he began to see the world in a whole new way. Together, they created the XMBA, a talent accelerator designed to help individuals reach their full potential. Based on Aaron’s framework of the seven universal truths and shaped by Forbes’s experiences as a mentee, the program was a blend of coaching, training, and networking that helped individuals to overcome their limitations and chart a path toward success.

In 2020, Forbes and Aaron co-authored a book called “Exponential Theory,” which quickly became a USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal bestseller. For Forbes, it was a moment of triumph and validation, a testament to the power of collaboration, and a testament to the friendship that had sustained him through so many ups and downs.

Today, Forbes remains committed to using his skills and platform to create positive change in the world, one laugh, one idea, and one life at a time. He knows that the journey is far from over, but he remains hopeful and determined, knowing that he has the support of his mentor, his partner, his best friend, and a world of opportunity ahead of him.

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Forbes Shannon

I write funny things, I write serious things, I just like to write.