When crime and betrayal shattered my life and stripped away everything I thought was secure, I faced a choice: collapse or rebuild. I chose to rebuild—financially, emotionally, and professionally.
Today, I help others protect themselves with financial awareness, strengthen their core when life blindsides them, and turn setbacks into courageous comebacks and meaningful careers built on integrity.
You don’t have to start from scratch—you can start from experience.
Featured in national news, blogs, podcasts, and television productions, Andrea tells an unforgettable story about discovering she was married to a Ponzi Schemer dubbed “The Mormon Madoff” by media, and the horrifying aftermath that resulted from her husband’s crimes.
A mother of four, author and keynote speaker, certified Gallup Strengths Coach, a private career coach and Career Director at Brigham Young University, Andrea Merriman is passionate about helping others survive and thrive in The Unexpected Life.
He was living a double life, admitting he had been running a $20 million Ponzi scheme for over a decade. Shawn, the head of a successful investment company and a bishop at their church, turned himself in to federal agents and was imprisoned for fraud soon after. The government quickly seized and repossessed all of their assets, most of which were purchased with investors’ money. Shawn, dubbed the "Mormon Madoff," was sentenced to 12 years behind bars.
All of their assets were frozen and were scheduled for seizure by the federal government. Everything they had was gone—the house, the cars, their savings, and investments. It would all have to go toward paying restitution to the victims of his crimes. In addition to running a Ponzi scheme and destroying his family’s lives, he had hired call girls. Before he aired out his crimes, she thought she was worth $10 million, but now, she had nothing.
When the truth came out, Andrea’s picture-perfect life unraveled. Her husband, once seen as a devoted family man, was living a double life. After his conviction, she packed up her four children and moved to Utah, determined to start over. The road to healing wasn’t easy. Andrea juggled multiple jobs, faced setbacks, and worked tirelessly to rebuild. Today, her children are thriving, her family has grown, and she’s using her voice to inspire others.
She speaks powerfully on resilience, integrity, fraud awareness, forgiveness, healing, and strengthening families through adversity. Whether for corporate conferences, women’s events, faith-based gatherings, or leadership summits, Andrea delivers a compelling story paired with practical insight—leaving audiences inspired, grounded, and equipped to move forward with courage and purpose.
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“Andrea is a smart, articulate woman who tells it like it really is and spares no punches. This is probably the most real and meaningful presentation I’ve ever heard.”
“Andrea’s story is powerfully compelling! I had her speak multiple times for a decade or more to my students and they were blown away to hear her share the effects of her husband's fraud on her and her children. You won’t be disappointed by learning of this unique angle of how devastating fraud and ethical lapses in business are to the families involved!”
Exclusive guides, worksheets, and resources to help you plan, pivot, and rise.
Tips, strategies, and tools to return to work, land new opportunities, and advance.
Stories of survivors, integrity, insights, and encouragement to push through setbacks.
Practical advice to protect yourself, build wealth, and secure your future.
Proven methods to strengthen your mental and emotional toughness.
Connect with like-minded comeback warriors who know what it takes to rebuild.
