On the 1st September 2025, I got distracted from this, my keynote speaker business website. For which I am only partly sorry. I am not sorry to announce that it is time for THE CAVEMAN to rise once again.
You see, back in 2015, I wrote a book called The Caveman Principles. It was a self-help book to help others manage everyday stress, conquer being able to deal with others and manage personal change. At the time, I was a cop suffering from stress. Just like my job, I loved to go looking for evidence and proof of what was wrong, especially as this time it was for me. I found so much great stuff, did some training even getting some qualifications. Hidden amongst some total guff, I found some gold nuggets, which I distilled down to the simple basics and told people my findings. They encouraged me to produce my first proper book, and The Caveman Principles (first edition) was published.
Being that this was my first book, I had no idea what I was doing and muddled through a very delicate process, popping out the other side with something I was immensely proud of, but totally blinkered. The important thing about this book was that it launched my speaker business; I had a playing piece in the game and I was able to speak at some amazing and interesting venues, all around the UK about my theories on stress, getting great feedback and wonderful testimonials.
Now, without giving too much of a spoiler away (the last chapter tells all), things went south. Diagnosed with PTSD, it got in the way and I had to manage my expectations, as well those requested from my ‘then’ police job. Essentially, in 2019 the book got literally shelved, and I had to work through a load of issues, find a new job as well as rebuild my entire life.
The following 5 years I found work as a contracted Project Manager in the MOD (Ministry Of Defence) and rebuilt my life. Also due to a change of my name (Divorce), I had to rebuild my speaker business with a new name . Websites, web names, business rebrand the whole works took ages whilst I battled PTSD and tidied up my personal life.
Come 2024 I was back on my feet. I had used the content from my book, proving that even when at rock bottom this stuff was good, I mean it bloody works! With a new house, a new healthy family, a good income and a security I had not felt for 30 years around me, this was the ultimate result that my book can bring someone. Knowing what I know now, and if I had to do it all again I knew I could. I found time to relook at the dusty book and decided I was going to do something with it.
First, I made a note of what I had done wrong, what I wanted to change and how I wanted to do it. This was the easy part, making a list. I knew where I could boost the business and correct the mistakes I had made 10 years earlier.
Second, I rewrote the entire book, keeping to the core principles and values from the original book. I updated the content, made it so that it was easier to read, with a better flow. I added more value, up to date examples using personal experiences. Created an additional 100 pages of content and smoothed out areas I was not 100% happy with.
Third, addressing the book cover. Customers commented on the cartoon like characters and how they thought it was a book for children. So keeping to the yellow background the new and updated image that now represented the adult content of the business was signed off. The Caveman was still an integral part so the new image was easily created.
Fourth and the hardest of all was to reconnect with my old business connections. Using the Caveman Tribal Sorter, (Part 2 of the book) meant I had this covered and before long I had slid back into the conversations from years ago and was connecting and working with my old publishing cohort once again.
Why is this important you may ask, well what I went through and what I had to endure was horrendous. I want to show you or anyone that even though you can face the worst that can be thrown at you (and trust me when I say that I am glad to be here – you might understand), you can get through whatever comes your way. What you need is a plan, a good set of principles and some focusing work.
If nothing else, I want to show you that there is a route through the hardest and darkest of times, all is not and is never completely lost. There needs to be periods of forgiveness, adjustment and times when determination is needed, but if I can do it, then anyone can.
I dragged myself back from the brink, I not only showed others what my true worth was, but I also showed it to myself. I walked the path, followed my principles and even though I made a few more mistakes on the way none of them mattered, as what I now have the most valuable thing that I have ever created, a healthy life.
Feeling so passionate about my achievements and knowing that they will give hope to others, I got back to writing. Through 2025 I worked two jobs, my Project Manager role during the day, and at night in my spare time I was back in front of my laptop, adding and reediting my manuscript.
1st September 2025, I saw the release of The Caveman Principles (2nd Edition) with all the changes that I had wanted to make, and this was the time I knew I had to make a decision. Either go all in and try my best to help as many people as I can with my Caveman Principles, or keep playing at it and stay as a well paid and safe Project Manager.
It was a tough choice but I made a decision, the one that I knew was right for me. My work was incredibly understanding and even the chief of staff tried to talk me out of it, but they accepted and offered me an open invite back. The deed was done, the book was out and now I was going all in, the Caveman Speaker has been reborn.
*Authentic content written by Carl Jones and not by AI.
My name is Carl Jones aka The Caveman.
✨ Author of The Caveman Principles – 2nd edition. Available in all good book shops.
✨ Professional Keynote Speaker, Facilitator and Panellist
✨ Coach and all round good guy
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