Becoming Kings

Your recipe for burnout

Life 100 years ago was much different than it is today. There wasn’t always the hustle and bustle we live by today. People would wake up every morning to go milk the cows and collect the eggs just to do it all over again the next day. 

Now we wake up, have our basic needs covered by convenience, and we are told to work harder because it is never enough. We’re told we need to do it all, all the time otherwise we won’t succeed. 

Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less approaches work and life a little differently. 

He shares, we’re told to believe 3 things that will create success, when actually they are factors that contribute to burnout: 

1. Everything is important 
2. I have to do all of it 
3. I can do all of it 

When I opened that first gym in the Midwest, I thought the same thing. I “knew” I could do it all and didn’t need anyone else’s support. And I learned real quick that was not the right answer. 

Greg explains in the book that we do not need to live by those lies any longer, and that we can replace them with 3 new beliefs… You’ll have to listen to the episode to get those few nuggets.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Overwhelmed with opportunity. (0:46)
• The logic of non-essentialism. (3:57)
• Between a rock and a hard place. (7:25)
• Gaining perspective. (10:41)
• Do you love to pull weeds? (13:31)
• The 3 Core Truths of Essentialism. (16:11)

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You’ve got this…

How often have you been told by someone “Wow, you’re going through that? I had no idea, you always seem so put together”? 

It happens to me quite a lot, and I’m always surprised because I don’t always think of myself as being “put together.” I’ve said this before, there are times where I want to veg out on the couch binge watching The Last Kingdom on Netflix. 

Then there are days where I’m in my element, and fully embracing the King energy. I’m ready to take on the world, or at least part of it. 

It’s like the weather here in Denver, one day is freezing and snowy, and the next it’s 70 degrees and sunny. I wouldn’t have it any other way either, it keeps things interesting. 

Life has its ups and downs. Maybe life isn’t about the destination we all seem to be working towards, rather it’s about the hero’s journey we’re on. 

In this episode, I dig deep into what success looks like for me and what it means to have a clear direction in life.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Are you fooling everyone else? (0:32)
• Are your emotions like the weather? (4:50)
• You got this! (8:04)
• What does success look like? (11:27)
• What does “the dream” cost? (14:03)
• Add more value, receive more value. (16:32)

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It definitely wasn’t a Happy Gilmore situation.

He was known as the drinker—the fun guy—little did anyone know that he would spend every night drinking with or without people. 

Ryan Schumacher had everything going for him. He grew up with an amazing family dynamic, played college hockey on a scholarship, tons of friends; it all came fairly easily to him. That is until he got a job at a bar and his father was diagnosed with cancer. 

At 20 years old, Ryan was hiding behind a bottle and wasn’t prepared for what life would throw his way. Not even when he was hospitalized for seven days and the doctor walked out on him was he willing to admit there was a problem. 

Ten years later, hungover from the night before, he had a spiritual experience that would catapult him into joining Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The structure of the program combined with the people he met changed life for him forever. 

Ryan has overcome the odds and is even now pursuing a career as a professional golfer at 45 years young. He’s motivated by the grind, it’s part of the dream in his eyes. He will find a way to do anything and everything he believes he can do. 

Even if you are sick like Ryan was and in the hospital, this story may serve as inspiration for you that you can always turn it around and claim what life has in store for you. In this episode, Ryan and I discuss resilience, true feelings of pursuit, and what it means to do whatever it takes.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Day in the life of Ryan. (2:46)
• A different approach to dealing with loss. (11:36)
• Riding the alcohol train. (20:24)
• The moment everything changed. (29:12)
• Shooting for the stars. (38:07)
• Reaching out to ask for help. (45:49)
• Turning life around. (53:07)

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Words = emotions

The words we attach to an experience ultimately become our experience. Everything we say affects how we feel. If we say we’re depressed there is an immediate physical reaction from our body. 

During events, Tony Robbins openly shares that he used to be a bit of a hot head. This only began to change when he started using different words to express what he was feeling in the moment. Instead of saying “I’m pissed off,” he’d say “I’m annoyed” because it made him laugh. As he laughed he did a complete 180 on his feelings.  

What words have the most powerful effect on you? 

Write ‘em down, let it sit, and swap out the words you use now for one that will empower you. 

Bonus: if you’re in the Denver area, I’m starting another round of The Arena program. The Arena is a 90-day mastermind where you and 19 other men will work together to create monumental changes in your life. 

Plus, we’ll partake on weekend adventures throughout the 90 days. Be the first to learn more about The Arena by joining the interest list at https://johnnyking.com/stuck.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Transformational Vocabulary. (0:32)
• A meeting that changes Tony’s life. (3:02)
• Words transform your emotions. (6:46)
• Wise words from Mark Twain. (10:21)
• Will you do the work? (13:40)
• The Arena is on! (16:31)

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Some things will just always be funny…

Sometimes it’s great to let go and have someone else take the lead on the podcast conversation. I did just that for this episode, and flipped the script to answer questions my girlfriend’s son prepared. 

I’ll tell you, we had fun and a whole lot of laughs. 

We discuss my long-winded soccer career, life coaching, some mind control, and the classics of a poorly timed fart. 

Listen below to learn how everything is connected.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Meet the mystery man himself. (0:37)
• Teaching about family dysfunction. (5:40)
• Embarrassing field trip memories. (9:53)
• School lock down. (15:26)
• Near death experiences. (19:57)
• Memories of Italy. (24:33)

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Learn to prioritize your loves in life.

From seminary to sports, acting, studying history, and doing business, Boo Arnold has lived a life full of unexpected opportunities. 

It all started with the crushing defeat of being dropped from college sports as a senior and being forced to move his life into a new direction. Drawn in by faith, he was catapulted onto a journey he could have only dreamed of…

What it took was the willingness to accept he didn’t have all the answers, while also leaning into an intellectual hunger to know more about the world. Encountering concepts from the philosophical school of Materialism drove him to double down on his Christian faith, and into the realm of seminary and theology. 

Equipped with a MA in theology, he answered the call to serve underprivileged communities around the world. The experience showed him just how much he had to give back to the world, and ever since he’s been non-stop on his mission to impact the lives of others. 

Talking with Boo makes a rewarding life sound pretty easy, however each of us must get there our own way! And that’s why this episode is so important to sit with:

We cover many different disciplines of thought, spirit, and body—underscoring the importance of never assuming you have only one path forward in life. This time on The Johnny King Show, we’re talking about everything: relationships, intellectual concepts, faith, physical fitness, business, and more.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Finding the reward in life. (2:39)
• Life’s transitions. (12:38)
• Discerning what to do in life. Vocation. (23:24)
• Studying the ancient documents. (35:40)
• An actor’s artistic license. (46:28)
• How’re you REALLY doing? (54:47)
• How shame isolates. (1:03:06)

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Cultivating the next generation.

Without healing I would have never found my purpose. I mean that! 

I’ve talked at length about the “father wound,” in the past. My father definitely did the best he could with me and my siblings. Even then, I had certain pains from our relationship that I needed to come to terms with to find my path forward. 

And until I did that, I constantly felt stuck. 

Our call as men is to rear the next generation and leave a meaningful legacy… Which totally interferes with our often ingrained desire to coast through life. It was through doing the work I found that instinct came from the pain AND not from what I wanted. 

What’s important here, and something we’ll unpack in the episode, is this idea that all it takes is starting the journey. Too often we get caught in the “could be,” “would be,” and other similar thoughts. 

These can keep us from making a simple mental pivot toward healing. So on this episode of The Johnny King Show, you’re going to learn how to start being something with a shift you can make today!

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Are you a nice guy or a bad boy? (0:36)
• The childhood wound. (3:14)
• Living my life NOT being “that guy”. (5:58)
• The price of admission to play life? (8:32)
• Focus on what you want! (10:57)
• Nice anxious guys & bad avoidant boys. (13:24)

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Face to face with the King (Leonidas) himself…

I finally met Gerard Butler. In fact, I manifested him to show up! 

I’m kidding of course, in reality I didn’t conjure Gerard to show up in my life, however it feels like a huge “divine coincidence” that I had an experience with him. I definitely won’t forget anytime soon. There’s something about meeting the people you look up to that lands differently.

He’s not some famous person with this inaccessible aura, because in reality Gerard isn’t just a high-profile, talented guy. He’s human just like you and I.  

Something I learned in talking to him is just how “normal” his experience of life is. Like the rest of us, he has his ups and downs, and having him be vulnerable with me was inspiring and thought provoking. 

Want to hear more about our time together over the weekend? Check out this episode as I dive into my wild chance meeting with the actor who plays one of my fictional heroes.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Is manifestation truly possible? (1:12)
• I love me some warrior movies! (4:31)
• Instagram. (8:07)
• Things are getting crazy now. (11:38)
• He’s doing the work. Good on him! (15:23)
• Stress means you’re separate from Source. (16:13)
• More to come! (19:14)

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Loss, biker clubs, and transformative living.

Growing up on a reservation gave Chance a completely different view of life than many of us are used to. He’s seen many different facets of life, from rolling with a biker club and breaking the law, to coping through the death of his brother. 

Everything that he’d experienced ought to have hardened his heart, however he defied the odds and found freedom in living as a transformed man. Today, he’s a coach and radically committed to improving the lives of others. 

He left behind the club, came to terms with the loss of his brother, settled down… and learned to love himself. 

Chance recently spoke at my men’s event, the Meeting of Men, where he shared the power of living an authentic and interesting life. The words he shared with us touch nearly everyone in the room, and I think what we discuss today will do the same for you, at home. 

In this episode we’re digging into the depths of his story to discover how to deal with what life sends at us, live purposefully, and find joy in the day-to-day.

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• Find your vibe gateway. (3:16)
• Fractured childhood relationships. (12:17)
• Too scared to give your full heart. (21:15)
• We don’t sit still enough. (29:49)
• The intoxication of adventure. (38:53)
• We are not simple creatures. (48:56)
• Coaching with Chance. (57:12)

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We’re taking a trip to India.

Years ago, a few buddies and I went to India, and what we saw there was shocking. 

Men… holding hands with other men. As it turned out, it was completely platonic. That’s when I realized maybe us Americans got the whole “male affection” thing completely wrong. So much so that it even affects our romantic and familial relationships. 

I know too many guys who are outright cold to the people they actually love because “feelings” aren’t for men. Meanwhile men in the rest of the world are holding hands, exchanging platonic cheek kisses, and hugs. 

It all serves as a stern reminder that our words and actions need to interact better. No, you don’t need to go start holding your bros’ hands, however consider telling them you appreciate them and care about them. 

It paves the way for deeper relationships and more vulnerability with your favorite people! This time on the podcast, we’re digging  into three words that can change your life, and cultivate better relationships! 

I bet you know what they are…

In this episode you’ll learn about…

• I. Love. You. (0:33)
• There’s no such thing as rush hour in Mumbai. (3:52)
• Male physical affection in India. (8:00)
• Different types of love. (11:54)
• The tragedy of repressed anger & pain. (15:46)
• Brotherly love. (19:12)

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