Andy Gillentine

Andy Gillentine is an award-winning educator, author, speaker, and lifelong student of curiosity. After a distinguished career as a professor and academic leader in sport management, he discovered that retirement wasn't the end of the story—it was simply the beginning of a new chapter.

Today, Andy writes books that explore leadership, personal growth, curiosity, and the small moments that shape meaningful lives. Whether reflecting on lessons learned while traveling the world, tying a bow tie, wandering through a new city, or simply enjoying a conversation over coffee, his writing encourages readers to slow down, think deeply, and live with greater intention.

Andy is the author of The Allegory of the Bow Tie: How Small Acts of Courage Create Big Changes and co-author of WWID: What Would I Do? He is also developing several new books, including Gillentine Philosophy, The Lagniappe Factor, and Slow Travel Sage.

During his academic career, Andy served as a Distinguished Professor and held numerous leadership positions while teaching and mentoring students from around the world. Although he values those accomplishments, he considers his greatest success to be the thousands of students, colleagues, and friends whose lives have intersected with his own.

Andy lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife, Glenna. Together they enjoy traveling slowly, discovering new adventures, spending time with their growing family, and embracing the belief that life is best lived with curiosity, kindness, and the courage to keep learning.

His guiding question—and the inspiration behind much of his writing—is wonderfully simple:

What Would I Do? WWID

He believes every life is a story still being written—and the next chapter is always yours to create.