Chris Marhefka: When Life Breaks You Open – How Men Can Lead Themselves Through Life’s Hardest Transitions | EP 64

Chris Marhefka is a Master Coach, worldwide retreat facilitator, and co-founder of the men’s movement "Thirteen Pines". He also hosts the "Fully Expressed" Podcast, alongside his work as an investor and speaker.

As an experienced entrepreneur, Chris has grown and exited several six- and seven-figure companies. For over a decade, he lived the life of a serial entrepreneur, building businesses and chasing his definition of success at the time.

All of this came to an abrupt halt after he experienced a stress-induced brain injury. ..

What initially appeared to be a physical breakdown became a turning point that reshaped his entire life.

During his recovery, Chris developed a deep mindfulness practice and began asking more honest questions about the life he was living and the man he wanted to be.

That reckoning led him into an initiation that ultimately changed the trajectory of his entire life.

Over the past eight years, Chris has immersed himself in emotional healing, trauma facilitation, somatic work, breathwork, relational coaching, masculine embodiment, and leadership development.

He has since worked with over 2,000 clients across physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual domains, supporting men in becoming more grounded, capable, and fully expressed.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Chris’ personal journey as a serial entrepreneur, and the life-altering transition point that reshaped how he relates to success, identity, and leadership

• Why moments of breakdown can serve as powerful initiations into deeper maturity, rather than something to avoid or bypass

• The core distinctions between boy psychology and man psychology, and how these patterns show up

• How men can learn to lead themselves through moments of breakdown and transition, and cultivate more honest, grounded, and truthful expressions of who they are

• What masculine leadership truly entails in Chris' perspective

• The importance of developing the capacity to listen, to our inner knowing, as a foundation for leadership and connection

• The importance of cultivating openness, humility, and a beginner’s mind

• How the Russian martial art Systema has been supporting Chris to step into deeper embodiment

At the heart of this conversation is a deeper inquiry into how we meet moments of breakdown in our lives...

And how these moments, when met honestly and with sincerity, can become the ground for a more truthful, embodied, and mature expressions of who we are.

This is a powerful conversation for any man navigating a transition, questioning his identity, or sensing that life is asking more of him.

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Connect with Alex Lehmann:

🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_

🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast

💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom

🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478

✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com

🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP

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Connect with Chris Marhefka

🌐 Website: https://www.chrismarhefka.com/

🌐 Discover more about "Thirteen Pines": https://www.thirteenpines.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismarhefka

🎧 Listen to Chris' podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1X5smBK27JlLjxR4Fbir3q?si=d2ea870e815b46da

🔥Episodes you might enjoy:

Nic Warner: Are We Failing Men Without Initiations Into Manhood? | EP 34: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VmXXcviyNnHTFanuFF32y?si=tQT8SWLvS8G8NmtRgLtnAg

Chris Bale: Why Are Men Struggling Today & What Can They Do? | EP 27: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vLPotDJsjkrfmkyWUeYXJ?si=d7x3AmtIQ02xiLisR_vPHA