Becoming Kings

Resilience in all arenas

Life throws you curveballs from every way possible. Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, the world does not discriminate in throwing us for a loop at the most inconvenient times. The question we have to answer in those cases is this. 

Are you resilient enough to bounce back?

Recently, some of our brothers and I took a Jiu-jitsu class and self-defense workshop where we were thrown into hypothetically life-threatening scenarios. The exercises were to not get ourselves “killed”. How many times did I survive the “life-threatening” scenarios? Zero. 

This was a wake up call. No matter how much time I spend in the gym, it was clear that I would be unprepared for any potentially dangerous situation. 
On this episode of Becoming Kings, we’ll dive into how we can strengthen our resiliency in all facets of life so that we can wrangle all of life’s challenges, no matter the arena.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Better to be a warrior in a garden… (0:54)
• What if we lost power? (3:21)
• It’s time we get prepared. (6:16)
• Toilet paper shortage would be the best case scenario. (9:01)
• I died, many, many times. (10:38)

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Looking at life through two different lenses

When you look at your life, how do you perceive it? Are you happy with what you have achieved? Or is life a constant struggle to achieve what is just out of reach?

We look through the lenses of gratitude and scarcity.  On one hand we have so much to be grateful for and yet so much that could be improved upon. There are things that help us feel fulfilled, like playing with our kids, leisure, cooking, or whatever it is that brings you joy. 

On the other hand, there’s always something to aim for. A bigger house, better job, improved relationships, which can be helpful in working to achieve our goals, but often brings discontent. 

Discontent can lead to scarcity, frustration and thinking that we’re not enough. It’s a slippery slope, and one we have to be mindful of as we are on our journey.  We won’t become kings if we look at life from a stage of insecurity, thinking that we’re not enough. This insightful episode is focused on how we can dispel discontent in our life and replace it with fulfillment.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• My confession. (0:46)
• “I’m doing good!” (5:04)
• Contentment and the drive for more. (9:21)
• Why are you doing what you’re doing? (13:09)
• What would equate to a fulfilling life? (16:23)

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Breaking the chain

In order to become a better dad, you have to become a better man. Even if you don’t have kids, you end up playing a fatherly role to others in your life, whether you realize it or not. 

Curt Storring knows how hard it can be to be a dad. His had left the family at age 3, and though he was able to salvage their relationship, Curt was left to his own devices to figure out fatherhood for himself. He found himself screaming at his own child and not feeling like he was living up to his own potential as a dad.

Realizing that he had to improve and evolve as a father and a role model, he buried himself in men’s work and mindfulness and emerged with a new outlook on life. Instead of being the worst part of his own son’s life, he now helps other men looking to heal their wounds and become better father figures. 

Join Curt and I for our honest conversation around the relationship between manhood and fatherhood, aligning with our values, and healing old wounds to move forward as better men. 

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Brothers don’t shake hands… (0:51)
• Fruits of the ripple effect of healing. (10:36)
• The very first time all the work caught up to him. (22:01)
• Answering the “why” with true intention. (32:51)
• Chain breakers of generational trauma. (42:06)
• Healing wounds within relationships. (49:32)

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We’re built for progress

Shortly before my life came crumbling down, all  I could focus on was having my bills paid and being able to sit and learn as much as I could. I was fascinated with human psychology and wanted to dig inside the ways our minds work. I could feel the call to do something more and explore these interests, but a steady job and paycheck seemed too safe to leave. 

However, uncertainty comes for us all. 

Going back to certainty, comfort, and stability is easy, and even after coaching for a decade, I still feel the call to return to it. Then I have a day like today, where the sun is shining, I’m keeping to my own schedule, and doing what I love. Yes, uncertainty can weigh on us like a nightmare sometimes. However the path of uncertainty also has so much more to offer us. 

Fulfill your full potential by engaging and walking with uncertainty. Remind yourself how far you’ve come, and where you’re capable of going.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Lessons learned from a decade of self-employment. (0:46)
• The quality of your life is attached to uncertainty. (3:47)
• You must prioritize your needs to be met. (6:49)
• Set your life up for the win! (9:13)

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Being There

Too often we physically exchange our presence and time for money, especially those who have a family. They feel obligated to provide and be workaholics when in actuality they’re losing what is important…

Time with our loved ones.

Yes, financial obligation is important and necessary, however, kids are desperate to spend time with their parents. The overbearing weight of providing for family will actually negatively reinforce bad habits and force people into working too much, all in the name of being a breadwinner. 

There is always the next job, business opportunity, deal, or sale to look forward to. Instead of focusing on the never-ending churn of business and work, it is essential to take time to be there for your kids and family. Yes, it’s what they want. But it’s also what they need.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Shootin’ the shit. (0:51)
• Non-sexy business opportunities. (5:23)
• Your kid’s wants vs needs. (10:21)
• Take a real hard look. (14:19)
• Rationalizing away our kid’s needs. (16:46)

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Still answering the call after leaving the military 

Micah Buck has seen the best and worst of what humanity has to offer. A Marine Corps veteran, he has witnessed some unfathomable events and survived a brush with death. He felt a lifelong calling to service, so when he left the brotherhood of the corps, there was a giant void to fill. 

That void could be filled by his skill of listening. Genuinely hearing what someone has to say without bias is a powerful asset, and his military experience gave him the gift of pinpoint listening skills. Now, Micah has harnessed this ability and transformed himself into a life coach who shows true empathy. 

On this powerful, wide-ranging episode of Becoming Kings, Micah and I speak into empathy, being of service, and the long journey of personal development. 

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Curiosity makes a man dangerous. (1:26)
• The proud, the few. (11:46)
• The weaning down process. (21:47)
• The ability to truly understand with empathy. (32:01)
• Staring death in the face. (39:12)
• The core of being of service. (46:24)

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Sifting through the life’s currents

We live in a three-dimensional world. Our lives and events we experience yields a constantly shifting world that we have to somehow navigate and find our place in. How do most people choose to perceive and understand the ever-changing world around them?

They cling to their beliefs for dear life. 

I get it. The world and the problems it throws at us can be a terrifying proposition. There are different ways to cope and wade through the currents while holding onto the branches that are our views around the world. But often for convenience, these views are binary and easy to understand. “The other side of the argument is bad and mine is good,” is the most commonly used mechanism people use to shape their worldview. 

But what happens when your belief is challenged and you know the opposite side has a valid point?

I challenge you to shift the way you look at yourself and the world around you. Start seeking enlightenment and understanding instead of trying to be right all the time. The latter mindset only leads to wounding ourselves and others.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Making decisions from fear. (0:51)
• Not wanting our beliefs to be challenged. (5:21)
• Seeking the win-win. (10:12)
• Putting it into action. (14:52)
• When we all lose, we get wounded. (19:18)

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How my trashed AirBnB taught me a lesson

We all have that urge to fight back and right what we feel has been wrong. Especially when those wrongs are done against us.

Well wait till you hear this one…

The story I sent out in my newsletter this week deals with just that. We’ve all felt that rage that can be so blinding that you miss the forest for the trees. But ultimately, are those problems so bad and damaging that they ruin our days and lives for however long? 

Recently I was so hard done by, lied to, and damaged that I lost sight of what was important to me. All my pent up anger and rage at this person, who I had shown nothing but goodwill too, wasn’t getting me anywhere. 

On this episode of Becoming Kings, I’ll tell you the story of how my trashed AirBnB taught me a lesson in picking and choosing what fights are worth actually fighting for. Letting go of anger and resentment is a simple step we can take to feeling more fulfilled.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Rage & choosing revenge. (1:04)
• “Perfectly clean”. (6:16)
• The Bleach Brothers. (12:36)
• Choosing to be right vs happy. (18:10)
• Reflecting back on your anger. (22:18)

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Our past has shaped our future

It took Robert Wunderlich longer than others to come to men’s work. His realization that men need community and specifically community with other men had only come after he had obtained a master’s degree in Archaeology, and began his road to becoming a second degree black belt under a direct trainee from the legendary Gracie family. 

Now he’s a certified men’s coach who helps others searching for answers by weaving his experiences together. My question for him was simple.

How is this all related? 

How does history, anthropology, and archaeology mix together to mold and help men grow into the man they are meant to be? The truth is, we are not anatomically different from the men who existed before us. The one’s who had to scavenge and find any way possible to survive, while also leading and protecting their communities. 

Robert and I explored how weaving these theories and fields of study together yield true power. Our past is the key to mastering our future. Becoming the master of your own life internally and externally is not an easy task. Robert shared his techniques, knowledge of history, and wisdom with me so that we can better understand who we are and where we can go.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Lich or lick? (0:51)
• Anthropology & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. (11:54)
• Egyptian civilization lasted 3,000 yrs. (27:36)
• Having appreciation for the tiniest of advances. (42:47)
• The capacity to water all areas of life mastery. (57:14)
• Sustaining ourselves through long term goals. (1:08:16)

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The chase is always on…

It’s the 300th episode of the Becoming Kings podcast! I’m in the podcast business for the long haul, so it was a good time to reflect on how far we’ve come, and how long the road ahead is. That reflection also made me realize that happiness and fulfillment aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. 

If you think about it, happiness can be so fleeting. No matter what happens in our lives, happiness can ebb and flow. Rarely does anyone wake up day after day filled with joy. Accepting life’s ups and downs is part and parcel of understanding our own wants and needs. What we can find consistency in is fulfillment. 

Fulfillment is able to be distilled down to what it is we desire most. Identifying and chasing your purpose every day is a goal we can all attain and strive for every day. So on this 300th episode of Becoming Kings, I want you to figure out what it is you want most and relentlessly chase fulfillment.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Playing the loooooong game. (1:05)
• Happiness is fleeting. (5:32)
• Happiness vs fulfillment. (9:51)
• The success of being fulfilled. (14:32)
• Commitment to being Kings & Queens. (18:16)

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