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Colin shares the main tools for having healthy eating habits for any lifestyle. Check out this inspiring talk to gain strength, have more energy, heal your body and be in better shape.
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Fatherhood: Building A Legacy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_sGjIw81d4
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Horrasias shares the secrets to building a life legacy and it not one you might expect. Watch one of the most charismatic speakers tell his personal story of growing up in Uganda and moving to Canada after his fathers assassination. His legacy is Fatherhood and he hopes to inspire others with his life story.
Man Of The Week – Andrew Horn
A life of service and gratitude is one of the most fulfilling pleasures one can experience, believes Andrew Horn. This belief coupled with numerous other accomplishments that make Andrew Horn our Man Of The Week! From making compassionate decisions in his personal relationships to founding his first NGO, ‘Dream for Kids DC’, Andrew is a man of many talents and passions, all of which are tied to giving back to society and making the world a better place for future generations. Today, Andrew lives his life to serve as an example to inspire others to share their appreciation and gratitude, to lead to more meaningful and enriching relationships.
- Age: 29
- What you do you do? (Work)
Social Entrepreneur, current the Founder/CEO of Tribute.co - Why do you do it?
We get to help people share their gratitude and appreciation with the people they care about. - How do you make a difference in the world? (Work, business, life, family, self)
In business, I try to make a difference in the world by building organizations that have a sustainable impact on improving the lives of other. In my personal relationships, I try to lead with compassion and give people a platform to be truly seen, heard and supported the way they’d like to be. - What are 3 defining moments in your life?
- Realizing the difference between pleasure and happiness
- Starting my first NGO Dreams For Kids DC with no idea what I was doing.
- Meeting my soul mate and marrying her three days later at Burning Man
- What is your life purpose?
To live an integrous lifestyle, to be a servant to the people and causes I believe in, and to magnify love and gratitude in the world. - How did you tap into it?
I realized that helping others is the most effective way to find fulfillment and have grounded my actions and career choices in service ever since. - Who is your Role-Model or Mentor?
I am fortunate to have a community of friends called the Boom-Spiral and they are my collective role models. I learn and grow from our relationships constantly and am beyond grateful to have found/built such a strong community. - Do you have any daily habits? If so, what are they?
- Don’t check phone immediately after waking up
- Put all of my team’s tasks into asana to start the day
- Try and be better than I was yesterday
- When do you know your work/life balance is off?
I know my work-life balance is off when my energy doing the things I enjoy starts to lag lower than I’d like it to. - Vulnerability is a challenge for most men – share a vulnerable moment from your life with us.
My girlfriend Miki is the first real woman I have ever been with. She called for a man than I had to offer early on in our relationship.
One of the arenas where I was lacking was sexual presence and technique.
It soon became evident that one of the reasons I lacked this presence was because of an unhealthy porn habit.
After almost a year and a half, I was finally able to subdue my porn habit and grounded myself in a constantly evolving, exciting sex life with my partner Miki. - What did you learn from it?
- It is important to define the relationships that you want with pornography.
- Sexual polarity is essential if you want to maintain an element of desire in your relationship
- Great relationships take work, but you just need to believe in what you are building or working towards as an individual and union.
- If you are or were going to be a mentor for another man, what is one piece of advice you would give him?
I would ask him to define why he wants what he wants, to help him articulate goals and understand his deepest desires.
In understanding our internal drivers, we are most capable of obtaining happiness in the present, while engaged in a pursuit of something grander. - How do you be the best partner (Boyfriend/Husband- past or present)
- Celebrate your partner’s victories with reckless abandon. This is the easiest way to make them feel supported.
- When you have something nice to say, share it. Telling the people we love why we love them is one of the easiest ways to establish deep connectivity.
- Realize that helping others is one of the easiest ways to add depth to any relationship. Find joy in serving those you care about.
- Do you support any Charities or Not-for-profits? (Which one(s) and why?)
I am on the board of the two non-profits that I previously founded. www.dreamsforkidsdc.org and www.abilitylist.org. - If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey. That song is hilarious and awesome literally whenever you play it. - Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
Married to the woman of my dreams with a kid and one on the way. Living between NYC and Costa Rica. Surfing at least 50 days of the year.
Running a successful company with 50 employees and building the “hallmark of the digital age.” - What legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
I want to leave the world with a newfound understanding and appreciation for the power of gratitude and service.
If my life can serve as an example that inspires others to help each other and share their gratitude more openly, I think I will be able to magnify great relationships around the globe and that is a lasting impact that I would be very proud of. - What One book would you recommend for any Man?
The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida – This book has been shared around by all of the great mean in my life. It provides young men with a framework to aid in the articulation of personal purpose, and provides some essential truths about what it takes to exist in a desire filled romantic relationship.
If you know a Man that is making a positive impact on the world, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]
5 WAYS EVERY MAN CAN BE A GENTLEMAN
Have you ever thought about where all the gentlemen have gone? Not a gentleman in the sense of where a man stands economical and socially; which was how society used to determine what social class a man would fit. But a gentleman in the modern sense. A man with morality on his mind and kindness in his heart. A man who’d stop to hold the door for a stranger and actually make an effort to put others before himself. A man that understands the power of pursuing purpose, works hard to make a life for himself and doesn’t feel like he’s entitled to something.
Have we as a society become so comfortable with the current status of our men, that we’ve learned to just accept things as they are and refuse to revolt against it?
It’s time for a shift. It’s time to make a stand. We can be more than we could’ve imagined and become the men we were created to be. We can achieve this shift by taking the steps necessary in our personal lives and challenging a generation of men to be socially, spiritually, emotionally and consciously aware. The more we bring awareness to the fact that we need to make a change and that we can be better men, it will not only affect you but it will impact the world around you. When men lead with love, which is what makes any man a gentleman; our communities, the workplace, families, businesses, and our youth will be greatly impacted in the best way possible.
Here are five ways that every man can be a part in the shift that is going change the way the world sees men. Let’s redefine manhood together. It starts with you:
1. A GENTLEMAN IS KIND TO OTHERS
As simple as it may sound, people tend to have a hard time being kind to others or are willing to go out of their way for a stranger.
Next time you’re out just be aware of others around you. Little acts of kindness have a big impact. If you’re walking into a store or coffee shop, stop and hold the door for the person either exiting or the person coming behind you.
Being kind isn’t about doing something nice and broadcasting for the world to see. It’s the acts that no one will ever see or know about that matter.
2. A GENTLEMAN RESPECTS WOMEN
Respecting women is one trait that is a clear sign when a man’s behavior is that of a gentleman.
There was a time when men would rise every time a woman entered or was leaving the room. Now men are scarcely seen getting the car door for their date. You should strive to treat all women the same way you’d want someone to treat your mother, sister, wife, or daughter.
If you’re single, fellas the whistling, cat-calls and “say ma, let me holla at you real quick”, is not the way to get a lady’s attention. Today’s women have become so accustomed to this approach. So they think it’s a game when a man tries to be genuinely polite and respects her.
A gentleman cherishes, appreciates and values women as a whole. Show it in your actions gents, not just in your words.
3. A GENTLEMAN IS WELL-DRESSED (WELL-DRESSED IS NOT CODE FOR 3-PIECE SUIT)
Most folks think of a guy in a suit with a nice car, nice job, etc. when they hear the words ‘well-dressed’ and ‘gentleman’ in the same sentence. It’s a stereotype we’ve created for ourselves.
Let’s be clear here, there’s nothing wrong with a well-tailored Brooks Brother’s suit and oxfords. But that’s not what makes you a gentleman or a well-dressed man for that matter.
Being a modern day gentleman is all about individuality and what better way to express yourself than through your wardrobe. You can have on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and still be a well-dressed man.
Your daily attire is just an outward expression of your inner personality and taste. The saying goes, “when you look good, you feel good”, and it’s so true. Taking care of yourself and your hygiene should be a priority for any man but especially a gentleman.
4. A GENTLEMAN SAYS ‘PLEASE’ AND ‘THANK YOU’
Anytime someone does something nice for you or goes out of their way, just take a second and say ‘thank you’ and show your gratitude. Gratitude is a sign of compassion and maturity.
Whether it’s a co-worker, your wife, or a waiter at a restaurant, you should never be too busy to ask politely for something and to say ‘thank you.’ If it’s something you have a hard time remembering to do on a daily basis, start practicing and making it a habit.
Manners matter and they show you truly value others.
5. A GENTLEMAN LIVES IN THE ‘NOW’ MOMENT
When blogs on the internet discuss what it means to be a gentleman or how to identify one, they always seem to miss one key value. This value states that a gentleman should have a great appreciation for his life and not take any moment on this earth for granted.
We only get one shot to live our best life now, and it would be crazy to waste it worrying or complaining about the things you don’t have.
If there are any areas of your life you are unhappy with, just know you have the power to change it. And if you can’t change the actual circumstance you can always change your perspective about it.
A gentleman takes responsibility for his own life, happiness, and success. You will begin attracting opportunities and the things you want, into your life. Just remember all you have is today and tomorrow isn’t promised. That’s how we learn to enjoy every moment as it comes to us without worrying about the regrets of yesterday and the uncertainties of tomorrow.
A gentleman is at peace with his life and makes the choice to be grateful for it.
Brandon Alexander was born in Bremerton, Washington. He started dancing/performing in talent shows at a young age and discovered he liked being in the spotlight. After moving to his hometown of Killeen, Texas, he became very active in sports and the arts. He auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance his senior year of high school and decided he should move to Los Angeles to pursue training and a career in dancing professionally. Since moving to LA Brandon’s performed with the likes of Beyonce, Raphael Saadiq, and Jennifer Lopez. Now he’s the creator and founder of “New Age Gents” a lifestyle blog for men. He’s also in the process of writing his first book titled, “Tailored just for you” A guide for the modern-day gentleman.
Connect with Brandon on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Running For Charity
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In this inspiring talk, Graham explains how he tapped into his life’s purpose, tells the story of his 250km race through South America and how he has used his gifts to raise over $600,000 for charity.
Man Of The Week – Jeff Sanders
This week’s ‘Man Of The Week’ is Jeff Sanders! Seven years ago, Jeff began his journey of personal growth after reading his first personal development book. This kickstarted an ongoing journey of reading incredible books, listening to inspiring podcasts and asking himself tough life-changing questions. After taking all of this in, Jeff realized an inner desire to help others achieve their dreams, which he does today by reaching tens of thousands of people world-wide with his podcast, The 5AM Miracle Podcast. In addition to hosting his own podcast, Jeff is a personal coach, he travels for public speaking events, is an author and a marathon runner!
- Age: 30
- What do you do? (For work)
I am a productivity coach, host The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, and an upcoming author of “The 5 A.M. Miracle,” which is launching in December of 2015. - Why do you do it?
I spent years reading phenomenal books, listening to fascinating podcasts, and changing my life in dramatic ways because of the inspiring information that others shared. I knew I wanted to emulate those people and share my story. That’s what I do now. - How do you make a difference in the world? (Work, business, life, family, self)
My podcast reaches tens of thousands of people every month all over the world and I receive emails from fans nearly every day. This is certainly where I get the biggest reach with my work and the greatest impact. It’s hard to say if I’m making a tangible difference in the world, but I know that people are making real changes and seeing real results based on the strategies I share, which is incredible and humbling. - What are 3 defining moments in your life?
- The first occurred at age 23 when I read my first personal development book, “Your Road Map for Success” by John Maxwell. This book started my personal growth journey and changed the entire course of my life and work.
- The second is when I switched to a raw vegan diet at age 25. Eating nature’s best every day has fundamentally improved my health and outlook on the world.
- The third occurred at age 28 when I launched my podcast. Nothing has pushed my business forward faster than talking on a microphone once a week and sharing stories with the world.
- What is your life purpose?
To help others achieve their life’s grandest goals by dominating their day before breakfast. - How did you tap into it?
This took years to finalize, and in many ways I’m still working on it, but the process consisted of asking myself tough questions while constantly experimenting with new ways of life and reading as much as possible. - Who is your Role-Model or Mentor?
I have many role models, most of which include successful authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs. Right now I am modeling much of my life and business off of Michael Hyatt, Darren Hardy, and Dean Karnazes. - Do you have any daily habits? If so, what are they?
I have many daily habits and I switch them up all the time. Some of my best habits include waking up early, drinking 1 liter of water first thing, making a large green smoothie for breakfast, exercising before work, and making time for daily reading. - When do you know your work/life balance is off?
If I haven’t exercised in a few days I know that I’m too busy. I am good at eating healthy and getting enough sleep most of the time, but I know right away if I am working too much when I don’t have enough time for running. - Vulnerability is a challenge for most men – share a vulnerable moment from your life with us.
On one of my podcast episodes I shared my history with drug use. I normally never get that personal on my show, but I thought I owed it to my audience to share what I’ve been through and how that has shaped my decisions today. It was easier to discuss than I expected, and the response was very positive, which encourages me to be more vulnerable in the future. - What did you learn from it?
I learned that living openly and authentically is far more ideal than trying to clean up a public image. Whenever I open up and share more about who I really am with others I always feel more confident and others trust me more. - If you are or were going to be a mentor for another man, what is one piece of advice you would give him?
Don’t sell yourself short. Pursue ambitious goals and let yourself grow into the experience. Everyone is scared and everyone is faking it all the time. Be willing to fail as you pursue big goals and watch as you amaze yourself. - How do you be the best partner (Boyfriend/Husband- past or present)
There is not doubt that genuinely and intentionally listening is key to a successful relationship — and I need to work on this one skill more than any other. The more I listen to my wife the closer we are as a couple and the more we appreciate one another. - Do you support any Charities or Not-for-profits? (Which one(s) and why?)
As a vegan I have supported a variety of charities over the years that help animals (PETA, ASPCA, etc.) and my wife and I also sponsor three children around the globe through World Vision. - If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
“Smiling” by T-Spoon - Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
I am working on phasing out coaching in order to speak full-time, along with selling online courses designed around productivity. Ideally, I will be working on my next book and traveling as I talk about my first book. - What legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
I try to embody a life filled with energy and positivity. I see enormous potential in my own life when I am optimistic and filled with enthusiasm about ambitious goals I am working towards. If anything, I would hope that future generations challenge themselves to be so much more than what society asks them to do. The bar is too low for most people and I want to inspire others to push further than they every imagined possible for themselves. - What One book would you recommend for any Man?
“Ultramarathon Man” by Dean Karnazes is an outstanding book. Though technically it’s about running, it’s really about so much more. Dean embodies a life of ambition and pushing the boundaries. Even if you never plan to run a single mile, this book will challenge you to think bigger and push yourself past your own limiting beliefs.
If you know a Man that is making a positive impact on the world, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]
How to keep your momentum
Alright, let’s face it, there’s always something that will come in the way along our path to supreme excellence. Perhaps it’s your arch nemesis, a family member or a superior. But if you break it down – could it possibly be YOU?
It’s ok if your jaw is slightly unhinged.
Despite the fact that reaching some of our goals and aspirations is dependent on uncontrollable factors like workplace politics, financials, or fate, we can only steer our course depending on the path ahead.
Whether you’re the degree type, a self-starter with street smarts marching to your own drumbeat, or a hard worker never done until you’re done, we all have one thing in common; we give a shit about what we do and how we do it.
Being a private contractor working on a per service agreement, I don’t just rely on the provider of the opportunity to make my living, I make sure that I support everyone and make them happy – including myself personally and professionally.
It can be tricky to balance our input to output ratio like a computer while staying cool enough to prevent overheating and melting down. I have a tendency to over do what I’m passionate about because it feels so damn satisfactory that it produces pure contentment. However, that doesn’t equate to recovery and maintenance (not always.)
I took a challenge upon myself to take yoga classes from teachers I haven’t been to before, write my experiences about the classes, and share with the community via social media. I made a list of over 60 teachers across a few studios and thought it would be achievable. Well, I overdid it a tad and suffered from a nervous system breakdown consisting of flu-like symptoms, mental, and emotional challenges for a whole week.
This became a short-term block toward the so-called ‘doing’ which forced me to simply ‘be’ – which was once a foreign concept in the past and is still not exactly organic.
Isn’t the whole point of doing what you love is to keep yourself motivated and driven for excellence? So when does it become too much? Where you start missing the signs of your body saying it has had enough, slow down, you can let go now!
It all comes back to what’s important to you as a person and managing your resources of time, energy and even stress…
Remember that to keep the flame strong and continue on the path of supreme excellence, you must listen, breathe, and smile.
Most of all, it’s very important to become aware that you might be doing way more than you need to. Sometimes you just need to ‘be.’
Hiiro Sigal Prince
Hiiro is the creator of The True Identity Project + Project Z: (Yoga | Resources for Adolescent Cancer Patients).
He currently offers public Therapeutic/Classical Restorative, Yin, Hatha and Vinyasa classes in the Lower Mainland through YYoga, Chopra Yoga Centre, and YMCA Robert Lee. Hiiro also is completing his SCHWINN Indoor Cycling training to teach Spin and completing level 1 and 2 of his Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy Training with Shivani Wells in May 2015. In August 2015, Hiiro will be a presenter for the 2015 Yogathon.
Outside of his yoga practice and teaching, Hiiro enjoys his spare time pursuing his passion for photography, creative writing and visual/performing arts, enjoying float sessions, spin classes, guzzling cold-pressed green juices, wearing an awesome pair of Fluevog boots and indulging in reality TV and the occasional childhood video game session. He cares deeply for his community and is always wearing a smile on his face and arms wide-open to give the universe a hug.
Connect with Hirro through his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn
Man Of The Week – Horrasias Balabyekkubo
For those of you who have attended our events in the past, you may have heard about this week’s ‘Man Of The Week’: Horrasias Balabyekkubo. Horrasias is an incredible human being with a wealth of talents ranging from a being loving father, a successful entrepreneur, a visionary philanthropist, an author and a motivational speaker, to name a few! From the age of 14, Horrasias began taking steps to plan his future, sought out mentorship from community leaders and making his dream a reality. Having lived on three continents, Horrasias has a wealth of stories that will send tingles down your spine, inspire you to find your purpose, live in integrity with it, and to help lay the foundation for future generations.
- Age: 32
- What do you do? (For work)
Brand Ambassador and Distributor for Enagic Canada, Project Director at a Primary and Secondary School in Uganda and an Author. - Why do you do it?
I do it because it gives me the opportunity to give back in a life giving way to the current society I live in and across the globe. As a director it allows me to continue to build the vision of the school as well as set it on a higher trajectory for greater impact in the community we serve and the nation as a whole. I write because what I have found is; my sharpest weapon to dethrone mediocrity from the lives of young people and my greatest tool move this generation forward is my pen. - How do you make a difference in the world? (Work, business, life, family, self)
I make a difference in the world remaining constant, consistent and determined to see every man, woman and child meet their true self. By writing words that inspire, teaching the practical steps to attain fulfillment and speaking in motivational tones to ignite passion and determination in the hearts of my listeners. By staying open and vulnerable before the people it shows that the only way forward for any individual is to find that harmony and balance in the shared experience mankind by recognizing the heart of another human as significant as their own. With my children, it is simple, blow their mind daily with showing them anything is possible with determination and hard work and a lot of imagination. Setting them on a foundation of joy and compassion goes a long way to help them realize their true potential. At work the balance comes to me in delivering superior quality service and discipline in my own individual effort thereby shifting the culture among my colleagues to present our excellence to the market place. We set the standard high. - What are 3 defining moments in your life?
- At 19 I realized, that at 6 years old I had known all along and I had delivered with precision the oracles of God with out fear and with reckless abandon, I knew who I was and why I was here; from that moment I was determined and walked with discipline to bring forth that same vigour and excellence to whatever I would do in my life and vowed never to forget my purpose again nor dim its light to “fit in” with the masses of men.
- My first trip back to my homeland after 12 years of being away was one of those defining moments in my life to set me on course to reaching and attaining my destiny. I was in college and had bought the marketing plan of North America: go to school, get the degree, get a job at a reputable organization, work 40 years, retire well. But it was landing into Entebbe Airport, seeing Lake Victoria and the vibrant colours of the soil and greenery, the red tile roofs mixed in that told me there was something more for my life. You see North America has a way of lulling one to sleep, or choosing the safety and complacency of mediocre exploits over the grand design and purpose for ones life. It was those 37 days in Uganda changed everything. From leaving my chosen field of expertise to enlisting in battle against injustice and poverty, choosing that my life would be spent in defence of the widow and the orphan, the last, the lost, the least and the nearly dead. I knew that this was the raging desire of my life, the constant purpose to carry me through the darkness and the fog. This was to be my magnum opus.
- When my son was born. August 25th, 2009 changed everything. It was the culminating event of my young manhood. I had dreamed of being a husband and father for so long that on that day, I was in heaven, the whole earth faded away and all at once I was one with the divine as I opened my mouth to speak the first words he would hear from his father, his defender and protector; I looked into his blue eyes and spoke, “you are my son, in whom all my life has found meaning, I will dare to embolden you to reach for your greatness, I will never leave you, I will defend you against the perils that life will bring, but most important I will love you for all time. You are born of fire, to be fire and to breed fire. A man of the horse and spear. Defender of the realm. You will arise, you will stand, you will conquer.” I sang to him the songs of my father in Luganda, and we became One soul. My Daughter was born May 24, 2011. I was speechless. my heart stopped and danced with rapture. I was now a King among men, I was now to raise these two to the light of their purpose. Life’ Song was worth dancing again. From the first, Fatherhood has been the crowning achievement of my life. Everything else is noise.
- What is your life purpose?
My life’s purpose is to inspire young men and young women to live at their optimum level of impact. Teaching them to marshall their faculties to achieve their chief aim and ultimate purpose in life. To build an army of like minded individuals who want to build great and thriving communities so the generations to come will be living in balance, moving with clock work precision towards maximum impact, disciplined in thought, excellent in conduct, noble in deeds. - How did you tap into it?
I went back to Uganda when I was 21 and it was on the mountains of Rwanda that I got the spark and it was in the valley of Tyler, Texas where the blueprint was found. I then spent the next 11 years learning, tweaking, and masterminding the plan that will culminate in Operation Trailblazer Dec 31,2015. It took going back to my roots, going off the beaten track and off what I thought my purpose was, questioning what was handed to me as my chief aim by my family, friends and teachers, that I was able to see the signs, the writing on the wall and the omens that would guide me to my greatest treasure. - Who is your Role-Model or Mentor?
My greatest role model is my father, John Deogratias Balabyekkubo, a Son, Brother, Father, Husband, Friend, Activist, Pioneer, Author, Musician, Playwright, Disciple, Apostle, Preacher, Missionary,Philanthropist, Leader, Visionary, Luminary, Revolutionary, Maverick, the list is endless. He is my father, my friend, confidant and constant north. Defender of my dreams, preserver of my virtue, he is my best example of what a man looks like and what a father loves like, what a husband acts like, what INTEGRITY sounds, tastes, feels, looks, smells like. Oh and he was the sharpest dressed man I have ever seen. He loved God and he served his people. - Do you have any daily habits? If so, what are they?
Daily Method of Operation is crucial to attain your best from yourself. It demands discipline to achieve any success in any venture. Even if the venture is relaxing, you must do it in a disciplined way so you can maximize the benefit of it. For me that means Reading two hours a day, then studying or mastering your craft gets an hour and a half daily; Physical exercise gets an hour and fifteen minutes, then work on your necessary projects such as income generating activities, networking and building relationships. The bulk of my time however is spent in fostering the seeds of excellence and epic-ness in the imaginations of my two glorious children. - When do you know your work/life balance is off?
I know my life and work balance is off when it starts to feel like there is not enough time to do the “joy” activities. You get so excited sometimes about a particular project that you begin to get consumed by its manifestation. Which often relegates the important things to the side for the time being, now don’t get me wrong there are seasons when you have to put priority and importance on said projects but for me I always try to include my two top priorities in whatever I do so I never neglect preserving the wonder in their lives. So the moment I am to “IN” to a certain project that I have to say no to any of the requests I normally would gladly do with the Royals. I stop and reassess the plan and rectify it, because they are never going to feel second to any mission, person, or goal. It’s all for them. - Vulnerability is a challenge for most men – share a vulnerable moment from your life with us.
Vulnerability is the wellspring of creative growth. I truly believe that when you lay bare your heart and soul you can look at and live your life in front of you. I was honoured and blessed to be apart of a ManTalks event that was based on mentors and fatherhood. I was blessed to share the stage with great men and even more humbled to hear their stories. I spoke on my father’s influence on my life and the way I parent my children; as I was speaking I felt this great opening in my heart to really love the people present there in the room, to really show them that I was a man who was unafraid of discussing life, liberty and the pursuit of epic-ness. I spoke about wounds that I have thought had healed and fresh scars from recent events that have sought to un-man me. The experience was exhilarating and educational both for the audience and myself. I felt as if I had let the world see me for the first time unafraid to be seen. - What did you learn from it?
I learnt All my life, after my father’s death I have sought to lead a life of polish and poise; but it was this unmasking in front of two hundred plus new friends that helped me see that I could be free to lead my life to the full again. It taught me to go with ‘Plan A’ every time, show your fullness. I am going to quote a t.v show Friday Night Lights, the football team had the team mantra: “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” - If you are or were going to be a mentor for another man, what is one piece of advice you would give him?
If I were to mentor any man; I would simply tell him “find the honesty within you again. Look inside and be really real with yourself, pull back every layer, peak into every crevice and find your humanity, what makes you authentic is not just being sincere, its being truthful about your motives, intents, and core value. So it is vital you know what they are and how to deliver them into the market place of ideas and life.” Teachability says, I may know it already but there may be another way to do it. Let me seek it out. Learn, Learn, Learn, then Implement the knowledge. - How do you be the best partner (Boyfriend/Husband- past or present)
The key to being the best partner is simple; be willing. Willing to learn from each other, Willing to hold your partner at their absolute worst and celebrate them at their best even when you don’t “feel” like it. Willing to communicate your needs in a way that can actually get the result or desired end you have in mind. Be willing to Love for loving’s sake; not for a pat on the back, or to get something, just simply to Love your partner in a way that would inspire them to rise to their greatest self. Be willing to show yourself at any given moment to reassure your partner that they have free access to your heart especially when you want to close off and run. Be willing to admit wrong, be willing to be still and listen, be willing to grow. Be willing to show up consistently. - Do you support any Charities or Not-for-profits? (Which one(s) and why?)
I work with Bavubuka Foundation and Cleft of the Rock Foundation which use the arts, education and social entrepreneurship to impact various communities in Uganda and in the diaspora. Working with youth to influence their communities at large. The reason for my continued involvement is I believe in equipping the next generation to step into the halls of power fully armed with reason, a sense of equality and justice for all as well as the self discipline and governance within that will keep them on the path of high moral values, integrity and service to the communities they work in. - If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Like a Rock, Bob Seger - Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
Three years from now I will be finishing phase one of Operation Trailblazer, I will be based out of Uganda, East Africa, building infrastructure projects in rural areas. I will be leading two thousand young people and developing training schools and other entrepreneurial pursuits to bolster the robust plan in phase two . Also at that time I will be balancing out all that legendary stuff at my farm at Kilindi, Uganda as a gentleman farmer. - What legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
Love, Loyalty, Legacy. These three principles are at the core of my being and my compass home. The Legacy I want to leave for future generations is Love God, Love his people. We are all human, we are all endowed by our creator with greatness. If we serve one another and help one another on the path to our greatness we will surely get to that desired better world we have all been taught about all our lives but have never seen. I want to go there with you. Therefore it is left to us in this generation to lay the ground work afresh with fresh zeal and purpose, so that our children and their children would benefit greatly from our sacrifices. I love people. Love them. Understanding that it is this gift of loving others that frees you up to attain self actualization, to reach fulfilment is power beyond measure. the Legacy is to ensure that every man woman and child can dream and realize that dream whilst they have breath in their lungs; life, liberty and the pursuit of epic-ness is our charge. Dare to dream and allow others to benefit from its goodness. - What One book would you recommend for any Man?
The Book of Proverbs
If you know a Man that is making a positive impact on the world, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]
Your Ultimate Pathway To Personal Growth: Feedback That Hurts
One of our deepest human needs is to grow, develop and become better today than we were yesterday, and that is not easy.
We associate growth and development with pain because they usually mean change; we need to do things differently to achieve different results and get different outcomes.
To do things differently is to explore areas we aren’t familiar with, use skills we haven’t mastered, develop and evolve processes we haven’t perfected.
What it comes down to is stepping into unfamiliar grounds, putting ourselves on the line and being more liable to fail. That scares the heck out of us and makes the pathway to our personal growth seem harder than it really is, to the point we avoid it at any cost.
That pathway is feedback; it’s the one thing that matters most for any personal growth or development to take place. Without feedback, you have no idea what’s the true value you’re creating, what your impact is and how your results are received by the outside world.
However, not every feedback is valuable feedback. In fact the only feedback that really matters, the only feedback that is valuable, and the only feedback that makes a real difference, is the feedback that really, really hurts!
What is feedback that really hurts? It’s the one that looks like an attack on you, your personality, ideas, values, what you stand for, your work, what you do, your actions, behaviours, everything you’re part of, everything you represent, everything you are, everything that is you.
The worst part about feedback that really hurts is that it never looks like feedback. It always looks like an attack, it comes with anger and it usually forces you to shut down, stop listening, raise your shields, put up your defences, and attack back.
Why feedback that hurts? Why not regular feedback?
When people are angry and in an attack mode, they’re usually not reserved, and the rational part of their brain that usually sugar coats feedback with bullshit icing is temporarily unavailable to them. As a result, they will share their raw thoughts using the first words that occur to them. That is the most honest and most valuable feedback you can get.
Could that be why Steve Jobs got remarkable results from his team? Jobs is known for being unapologetically direct and rude. So if he thought a piece of technology is shit, he would not say “thank you, why don’t you try harder and do your best the next time.” He would get angry and call it “a piece of shit.” That is a super clear response that means you really need to go back to the drawing board and rethink the whole damn thing.
If you got that kind of feedback, there is no doubt in your mind that you need to be rethinking the whole thing and innovating the heck out of it. You just can’t rationalize your way around such feedback, and you won’t misunderstand it.
Recently I got into an argument with someone I work with, we both got angry and the argument turned into a shouting match. I wasn’t listening, I was ready to defend myself, I wanted to win and prove I was right.
When I calmed down and thought things through, I saw things differently; ‘that was feedback.’
Yes, he probably didn’t intend for what he said in the argument to be feedback, he was just angry about a few things and upset from me. But when I thought about it as feedback, that completely shifted my response, and instead of seeking an apology from him, I asked for more ‘feedback.’
So we met a couple of days after and I asked him to share with me everything that was coming in the way of us working together as one team and preventing us from collaborating. In plain terms I asked, ” tell me where you think I fucked up, what was I doing wrong and what issues do you have with me?”
I listened as he shared all the things that caused him to be angry at me. I realized that I had no idea of the unintended impact of things I said or did. It was the best feedback anyone could’ve given me about how I show up for that team and the impact I have on them.
I recalled some arguments I had with people I worked with in the past. How different would our results and relationships be if only I saw their anger, frustration, and the hurtful things they said as feedback?
How valuable would it be for you to get this kind of unedited, unfiltered, honest feedback? Are you able to see anger, argument, and disagreement as feedback? Are you able to get curious about the reasons behind these reactions and ask questions to find out?
You don’t have to wait until you get involved in an argument or someone gets angry at you. You can start getting feedback today by asking the people in your life and the people you work with open questions like:
– What is there between us that is unresolved?
– What is there for me to clean up or address?
– What do you really think of my work?
– What do you really think of my behavior?
– What do you really think of the way I conduct myself?
– What impact do I have on our work and our relationship at work?
– What do you really think of the way I show up at work?
– What are my strengths?
– What are my weaknesses?
– Where do I mess things up?
– Where did I fuck things up?
Make sure you ask the questions and listen intently to the answers. Create a safe space for them to be brutally honest and direct with you. The last thing you want to do is argue with them, negate what they are saying, or point out how they are wrong. That will not go well. The moment you start doing that, people will shut down and will get back to sugar coating their answers and giving you bullshit feedback. What’s worse is that you will mostly show up as someone who doesn’t listen and only interested in your own opinion.
Warning: Honest and direct feedback is going to be hard, sometimes very hard. So breathe through it. And remember feedback about you is not an accurate representation of who you really are, it’s just the way that person sees you and how you showed up to them in the past. You can change that and turn things around.
With every feedback session you conduct, you will have a more accurate representation of your personal brand and how you show up in the world. You will start to recognize certain patterns of things you say and do that are shaping how people see you and deal with you.
Such valuable feedback paves the ultimate pathway to personal growth. Even before you start doing or saying things differently, just the fact that you are asking for this kind of feedback will cause people to start to see you in a very different light. They will respect you more, they will be more open and honest in how they deal with you. This is a very different way to operate, one that will enable you to generate very different results.
You now have information you can act on. It’s up to you to choose what you’re going to do with it. You can ignore it, or use it to become the person you are meant to be and create a remarkable impact in the world.
Hussein Hallak is a serial entrepreneur with 22+ years of startup experience in strategy, branding, marketing, and growth. Hussein started 6 successful companies, worked on projects for Fortune 500 companies and World’s Top 100 Brands, and was featured in Forbes, BBC, and Entrepreneur.
Currently Hussein is the Director of Strategy and Marketing at 3 Tier Logic, a shopper marketing and engagement software startup out of Vancouver, BC. Hussein is also the Director of Marketing at TEDxStanleyPark, Advisor at Spirit Games Ltd, Head Instructor – Lean Entrepreneur Program at LaunchAcademy and Founder of InspirationInbox.com.
Hussein lives to inspire possibility, to enable people, to achieve the remarkable.
Connect with him through his website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram
Man Of The Week – Chris Brandt
Here at Man Of The Week, we strive to find the most awesome and inspiring men around who better the lives of the communities around North America. This week’s spotlight is no different! Chris Brandt believes it is every single person’s responsibility to positively impact the world around, and uses his life’s work at ‘Music Heals’ to teach others how music can promote and maintain mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. In the years to come, Chris aims to grow Music Heals to a charity that contributes $1million/year to local music programs.
- Age: 43
- What do you do? (Work)
Executive Director, Music Heals. Also, professor of Music Business at BCIT, and yoga teacher at YYoga and Contact Partner Yoga. - Why do you do it?
#MusicMakesMe
[youtube video=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeJzcEPZURw] - How do you make a difference in the world? (Work, business, life, family, self)
I teach, in all aspects of my day. When the student exceeds the teacher, the teacher becomes immortal. - What are 3 defining moments in your life?
- The last day of every job I have ever worked.
- Starting a record label
- Crossing Tibet in a jeep
- What is your life purpose?
To teach - How did you tap into it?
I have always known, although sometimes I have had poignant reminders. - Who is your Role-Model or Mentor?
Dalai Lama - Do you have any daily habits? If so, what are they?
Leave the office for coffee. Never make coffee at work. While it costs more, leaving your desk and going for a walk can completely reset your day. - When do you know your work/life balance is off?
My body knows. Hopefully I am listening before it has to yell. - Vulnerability is a challenge for most men – share a vulnerable moment from your life with us.
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer. - What did you learn from it?
That I signed up for it. This was my PhD course. - If you are or were going to be a mentor for another man, what is one piece of advice you would give him?
Do what you say you are going to do. - How do you be the best partner (Boyfriend/Husband- past or present)
Listen - Do you support any Charities or Not-for-profits? (Which one(s) and why?)
Music Heals, all day every day. - If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
“Life’s What You Make It” by Talk Talk - Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
Married with 1 kid (and maybe another on the way), traveling with my family and work, and Music Heals being a $1million/year charity. - What legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
It is not your opportunity, but your responsibility, to do big things that have a positive imact on the world. - What One book would you recommend for any Man?
The Alchemist
If you know a Man that is making a positive impact on the world, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]
Lean into your fear
“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
Last new year’s eve, I made a decision for how I want my life to go this year. Somewhat of a new years resolution I suppose. But not as much a: I’m going to go to the gym more, I’m going to lose some weight, or I’m going to radically change something for a couple weeks and then fall flat on my face type goal.
I decided to give myself an overarching theme for my year. I chose to make this theme lean into my fears and the things that make me uncomfortable. While I’m great at doing this in some areas of my life, there were other areas, specifically in business, that I was still falling short of my goals and what I wanted to accomplish!
I’m going to share a couple times this showed up for me right after making this declaration and how it has been impacting my life. And I’m going to leave you with a very simple, yet very powerful way to start applying this to your life and start reaping some of the benefits!
The morning after making this declaration I got my first test of my commitment. I was sitting around with some awesome friends enjoying a great breakfast, and we started chatting about what everybody was up to on this sunny yet frigidly cold January 1st. How were we all going to start off our new year?
Unbeknownst to me, every New Years Day since 1920, the Vancouver Polar Bear Swim Club holds a polar bear dip in the ocean at English Bay! From their first one with ten people in 1920, it’s now grown to over 2500 people!
It came up in the discussion that some of my friends were going to go down and watch the festivities. I was asked if I wanted to come or do the plunge myself. At first though, going swimming in the ocean when it was below zero outside didn’t sound like a great idea. And then I realized that was exactly what I’d asked for just hours before! I’ve asked for opportunities to stretch my comfort zone and expand what I’m capable of, and this was a great example of just that! And after all, if 2000 plus people could do it then what did I have to be afraid of?
So I went for it! And it was awesome! And, other than the soles of my feet getting pretty damn chilly from walking around in the wet sand before and after, it wasn’t all that bad! After doing it, I realized that I had made it out to be way scarier in my head than it ended up being!
So that’s all well and good but how has this helped me out since then? Well every so often, when something is there for me to take on, and it makes me feel like: “I don’t wanna do that!” I pause and think about it for a minute and check in. I ask myself, do I choose not to do this? (Like not seeing a movie that you just have no interest in) Or am I afraid of doing this, afraid of failing, afraid of looking bad, or afraid upsetting someone, when I know deep down it’s something that would benefit my life and the lives of others?
If it’s the former, then don’t worry. You obviously don’t have to do things you just have no interest in doing. If it’s something that you are just afraid of doing, then lean into that fear and take action!
Susan Jeffers wrote an amazing book on this topic called “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” In it she talks about how having fears is completely normal, and how everyone experiences them. People that seem like they don’t have fear usually just have more experience pushing past it when it comes up. Stepping through your fears is just much a skill as learning to walk, play guitar, or learn a new language. At first it’s super awkward, uncomfortable, and you suck at it. But then as you practice, it gets easier and easier until you don’t even have to think about it anymore!
If you want to practice pushing past your fears, there are lots of things you can do to help with this! Reading about it in books like “Feel the fear and do it anyway” can give some simple techniques to help out. As with pretty much everything else, regular meditation practice can help as well, as it helps to develop the ability to be the observer of your thoughts, instead of being ruled by them. Once you start to get better at this, it’s a lot easier to observe those thoughts of fear and choose whether or not you want to listen to them too!
The easiest way to get better at leaning into your fear is to start doing it and build your skill! You don’t have to start with the big ones like asking your boss for a raise, asking that super cute girl or guy out on a date, publishing your first article for the world to see, etc. To practice the skill, I’d recommend starting small, with the little things you put off doing, but that you know you would benefit from. Like getting out of bed when your alarm goes off the first time, going for that run or to the gym, cleaning up the kitchen before going to bed, downing a big glass of water first thing in the morning when you wake up, etc.
These things aren’t scary at all, they just make you a little uncomfortable. They bring up the “I don’t wanna” voice in your head. Your head might try to convince you that you shouldn’t do it. That it would be easier to just leave it, or do it next time, but your higher self wants to do it. That person you want to be wants to do it. And by choosing to push past that little voice you build your skill at stepping past it so when it’s time to face the actual fears you’re that much better equipped to smash them out of the park and live the life you truly want to be living!
I’ll leave you with a great quote from Jack Canfield that reminds me daily to keep pushing past my own fear and discomfort:
“Everything you want in life is on the other side of fear.”
May all beings be happy and healthy; peaceful and prosperous; liberated, loving and loved.
Namaste
Dave Weale
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked what I wanted to be wen I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment. I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon
That is the foundation of Dave Weale’s beliefs and what he teaches all of his clients. Dave is a happiness coach. His clients end up being able to free up their time so they are able to focus on pursuing their passions and truly live a life they love!
He does this by teaching about mindfulness and meditation and works with people to help improve their Health, Wealth, Love and Trust. He helps people reach peak health, make more money, create more love in their lives, and trust that we are all in this together and that everything is working out perfectly!
Connect with Dave on his website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Hypem, and Pinterest
Man Of The Week – Graham Snowden
This week’s Man Of The Week is a shining example of what is possible when one lives true to his/her purpose. In addition to fundraising over $600,000 for charities since 2008, Graham Snowden is changing the lives of many men by showing them their true potential and allowing them to channel their purpose in everyday actions. Running numerous multi-day marathons, some up to 250km, Snowden strives to be an example of what is possible.
- Age: 34
- What you do you do? (Work)
I live my life’s purpose – to be a constant & expanding example of what is achievable, reminding everyone that they are larger than themselves, recognize what they are truly capable of and I activate them to fulfill that potential so they in turn activate others to fulfill theirs. I believe that health is the absolute foundation for everything we want to achieve. - Why do you do it?
For the first-class, front row centre ticket to an individual’s growth and belief in his or herself. There is nothing sweeter. - How do you make a difference in the world? (Work, business, life, family, self)
Staying true to my life’s purpose. - What are 3 defining moments in your life?
– Completing my first multi-day running race in Nepal. 250km self-supported. It showed me how little I know about myself; making me excited to spend my life having an amazing relationship with myself.
– Overcoming a difficult time during university & emerging with the approach that if I ever have an idea that I believe will make someone else happy, I will act on it.
– Standing up as my brother’s best man, looking at his elated wife and knowing that was the happiness I wanted to cultivate and nourish in my own relationship - What is your life purpose?
See #2! - How did you tap into it?
It was a purposeful and intentional process. I cannot isolate the starting point. It emerged after several ultra-distance races, the cultivation of an amazing love-filled partnership, and consistent personal development focused on uncovering and constantly being my best self. - Who is your Role-Model or Mentor?
There are several. My fiancée because she is so incredibly giving of herself and “the peaceful quiet she creates for me” (yes those are Dixie Chicks lyrics). A relative who overcame addiction who showed me you can always change where you are. Bill Chalmers, an outstanding personal development & business coach who has guided me through breaking down limiting beliefs. - Do you have any daily habits? If so, what are they?
I book end my day. Morning = Wake up. Hydrate (500ml – 1L). 15 – 30 minutes personal development (usually reading). Exercise at least 30 minutes (often more). A clean, low-glycemic breakfast along with my personalized vitamins. All to start my day. I write intentions for a variety of elements of my day from important business meetings to how well I want to sleep. Night = I end my day by journaling in the positive about whatever happened, no matter what happened and tracking 4 key daily habits that move me towards my most important goals. The last thing I do before I go to bed is to write on a chalk board in our kitchen something I am thankful for about my fiancée from that day. - When do you know your work/life balance is off?
I don’t actually believe in this concept. I believe in life balance. Your life isn’t comprised of work and then everything else. If it is then yes, you are definitely OFF balance. And you should probably connect with me so we can change that. If I am not writing my intentions and doing daily personal development I know that very same day that my balance is off. - Vulnerability is a challenge for most men – share a vulnerable moment from your life with us.
Just one moment?! I just quoted Dixie Chicks lyrics in this interview! They can happen every day. Asking my fiancée to marry me, asking her dad for permission, losing a job, in a job interview, starting a business, before a speaking event – it can be a pretty long list. - What did you learn from it?
I have become willing to be vulnerable because it is always an opportunity to grow and demonstrate to the world who I am. - If you are or were going to be a mentor for another man, what is one piece of advice you would give him?
Love yourself. - How do you be the best partner (Boyfriend/Husband- past or present)
I try to be the best for my partner. I am not seeking to be the best in the history of partners ever. We have daily thankfuls. I demonstrate my love as often as possible; both big & small gestures. When she comes home I also stop whatever I am doing and welcome her. I always suggest writing out in compelling detail what your ideal partner would be like. Then you MUST write out in just as compelling detail who YOU need to be in order to attract, nourish and love that person. - Do you support any Charities or Not-for-profits? (Which one(s) and why?)
I have led the fundraising of over $600,000 since 2008. I have supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, MenCap, Red Cross, Boston One Fund, imagine1day, Blessings for Backpacks, and many others. Going forward I most likely to support environmental related charities focused on preserving the most magnificent places on our planet from forests & mountain ranges in BC to the farthest reaches of the planet. It is in these places that I have become who I am. I want to preserve these places for others to enjoy. - If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Oh it would have to be a mashup of highly questionable yet entertaining song selections. Let me answer it this way, during the closing credits to my life “You’ve Got A Friend” by James Taylor would be playing. - Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
On a horse named Falcor. - What legacy do you want to leave for future generations?
Health, happiness, and the planet. - What One book would you recommend for any Man?
I’ll go with the first book that came to mind (and not just for men). “By the River Piedra I Sat Down & Wept” – Paulo Coelho. To me it is far superior to the Alchemist.
If you know a Man that is making a positive impact on the world, we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected]
