Shawn was born in Charleston, South Carolina in a Navy family. His father, the late Commander Bobby M. Lanier, was stationed at many naval bases on the East Coast of the United States. After retiring his Dad made his home in Alabama. Shawn grew up in Alabama and graduated from high school at the Marion Military Institute at Marion, Alabama. Shawn went back to Charleston, South Carolina to attend college at the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. While attending the Citadel, sport fishing for Redfish (Spot Tails) and Speckled Trout (Specks) in the marshes and beaches of the area was always one of his favorite activities when time allowed. He was hooked on saltwater fishing!