There's a moment in every man's life where he realizes the armor he's been wearing isn't protecting him anymore, it's suffocating him. I had this powerful conversation with Mista Yu on his show about what happens when we finally start questioning this "man box" we've been squeezed into since childhood. You know the one: be invulnerable, never show weakness, handle everything solo. The guy who looks like he has it all together on the outside? He's often the one drinking himself numb or finding other ways to escape because nobody ever taught him how to actually feel what's churning inside.
I shared my own story of growing up disconnected, not knowing how to create real relationships or even talk about what I was feeling. For fifteen years, someone would ask how I was doing and I had three responses: good, fine, or okay. Not a lot of nuance there. What changed everything for me was finding my first men's group at 26. That experience of sitting in circle with other men who were a little further along than me, it completely transformed my life. Now I spend my days creating those spaces for other men.
We also got into shadow work and what it actually means to be present, especially in our relationships. Sometimes as men, we get so busy trying to take care of our families that we completely miss being present for the moments that actually matter most. And for the women listening, here's what I want you to know: when your man finally takes the risk to be vulnerable with you, don't try to fix it. Just acknowledge it. That appreciation goes further than you might think.
If this resonates with you, head over to evolutionarymen.com. You can find my writings, podcasts, and information about the men's groups I run. And even if you don't work with me directly, reach out. I'm plugged into this world and I'll help you find the right resources in your area. Bottom line: you don't have to do this alone.
