Apogee Strong

What does it mean to be a man today? How do young men carve out their place in a world that often feels uncertain about their role? These aren't just abstract ideas but real questions that impact the lives of many men. Masculinity has been celebrated and criticized throughout history. Nowadays, men are encouraged to be open, emotionally expressive, and nurturing partners and fathers. Connor Beaton shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. Teenage life is simply the gateway to adulthood. As they learn the reality that living is not as easy as it is, it is up to them whether they will grow as a person or stay within the confines of their imagination. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: "A man's work begins in pain. It's in the confrontation of our deepest struggles that we discover our true strength." – Connor Beaton "Confidence and competence are deeply intertwined. To build true self-esteem, focus on developing skills and mastery in areas that matter to you." – Connor Beaton "Simplicity is almost always the answer." – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Celebrate your unique experiences and viewpoints, even if they differ from the norm. Your differences can be your biggest strengths. Face your flaws and insecurities directly; this leads to personal growth and authenticity. Look for mentors and apprenticeships to build skills and abilities before trying to assist others. Set your standards and expectations for relationships instead of relying on societal norms or unrealistic ideals. Value loyalty, appreciate masculinity, and keep a grounded view of a potential partner. Explore new activities and follow your curiosity to find your true passions and potential. Be patient and persistent in creating long-term value and impact instead of looking for quick fixes or shortcuts. This method will lead to meaningful and lasting success. Conclusion: The journey to becoming a man is challenging but very fulfilling. Men can build an authentic and empowering sense of self by facing difficulties, gaining skills, being open, valuing loyalty, and questioning societal expectations. As we rethink what it means to be a man, voices like Connor's highlight the importance of personal growth and self-discovery in this ongoing journey.

Ever wondered what separates those who merely dream from those who truly achieve? It's a blend of resilience, determination, and the willingness to face challenges head-on. Imagine a young man grappling with personal and societal challenges, yet emerging as a beacon of inspiration and leadership. This is not a plot from a motivational movie; it's the real-life story of Will Bates. Will Bates is here to share his journey and wisdom with budding leaders. His message centers on leading with honesty and strength. Embracing challenges and constantly improving are key to growth. Join us as young leaders pose their questions on life, personal development, starting a business, and more! Quotes: "Tell the truth even if your voice shakes." – Will Bates "The most difficult part is seeing how amazing all these men are and knowing how amazing they could be, but they won't take the action necessary to realize that potential." – Matt Beaudreau "If you know there are habits or pieces of you that need to be changed, symbolically write a breakup letter to those old versions of yourself." – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Speak the truth and stand up for what you believe is right, even if your voice shakes. Take action rather than just collecting information for true growth and wisdom. Continuously challenge yourself, set higher goals, and adapt your approach when helping others. Tailor programs to individual needs and preferences. Prioritize mental health and overall wellness, especially in high-stress professions. Stay consistent with your goals and habits, even when you don't feel motivated. Surround yourself with positive influences, use your platform to speak out against injustices, and find ways to serve and positively impact your community. Conclusion: True leadership fundamentally starts with one's own personal development. The readiness to face and overcome challenges, along with the ability to inspire and motivate others, is what truly distinguishes exceptional leaders from the rest.

Ever thought about how to turn hard times into strength? How to change personal challenges into chances to grow and lead? Imagine a life where every problem helps you reach your best. This isn’t just a dream but a real path taken by many successful leaders. Responsible leadership transcends traditional notions of authority and power. It is about leading with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to the greater good. Mark Divine shares his insights, experiences, and wisdom. Leadership is about self-mastery and service. As a warrior and thinker, he emphasizes the importance of personal growth and mindfulness. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more! Quotes: “Victorious warriors win first in their mind and then go to battle.” – Mark Divine "You have free will to ignore your calling. But if you choose to follow it, your mission unfolds based on your passions and principles." – Mark Divine "It goes back to that common thread. That is one of the most common things that we see with young men, is the inability or the oscillation within that desire to get rid of that old that is no longer serving them." – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Question your conditioning and the stories you've been told to uncover your true self. Develop stillness, silence, and consistent meditation practices like box breathing for peace and mental sharpness. Combine Western therapeutic approaches with Eastern philosophies, and create morning and evening rituals for balance and purpose. Spend time in nature and visualize your goals to connect with your true self and manifest your desired reality. Focus on being a good teammate, be mindful of the information you consume, and recognize that you are already perfect and whole. Conclusion: Personal growth means questioning rules, meditating, and finding peace in nature. Forgiveness helps us move forward. Using Western therapy and Eastern acceptance together can bring change. Daily habits, imagining goals, and being mindful are important. The journey is about understanding our true purpose is just being, not doing, and that we are already whole. These lessons build strength, clarity, and purpose.

It's common to feel overwhelmed by the world's problems and wonder if one person can make a difference. Balancing success, family needs, and personal well-being adds to this burden. Many people face this challenge, trying to manage their responsibilities while still pursuing their goals. Despite these struggles, finding small ways to contribute and make a positive impact can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Victor Marx is a former Marine turned humanitarian powerhouse, uniquely equipped to tackle the world's toughest challenges. Overcoming a traumatic childhood, he now mentors young men and rescues victims from war-torn areas. Marx's expertise lies in transforming pain into purpose, offering hope to the hopeless. With a best-selling book and a global following, Marx teaches the art of being "mission ready" - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Today, he shares his journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a force for hope and change in the world. Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “Rules without relationship create chaos, but a relationship without rules creates the same problem.” – Victor Marx “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison, and hoping it kills the person you hate. But all it does is destroy you inside.” – Victor Marx “Forgiveness is giving up your right to hurt someone back for hurting you.” – Victor Marx “There's good men and there's men that are good at being men.” – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Ask yourself, "Am I still mission ready for whatever God has for me to do?" Consider your physical, emotional, and spiritual preparedness. Identify someone you need to forgive and consciously choose to let go of your right to hurt them back. Journal about how this impacts your emotional well-being. Establish a consistent routine, such as listening to a Bible app or spending quiet time in prayer, to strengthen your spiritual foundation. Assess how you prioritize your family versus your career. Plan a specific action to show your loved ones they come first, even if it means sacrificing a professional opportunity. Start a daily gratitude practice, focusing on the basics you have in life. Use this to combat negative attitudes and maintain perspective during challenging times. Conclusion: The importance of mentorship and providing hope to younger generations cannot be overstated, especially for those who have experienced trauma or adversity. Forgiveness, both of others and oneself, is crucial for personal growth and healing, allowing individuals to move forward and fulfill their potential. Consistency in spiritual practices, maintaining physical and emotional readiness, and finding balance between work and family life are key elements in becoming an effective leader and making a positive impact on the world.

Imagine a world where every conversation makes you think harder, expands what you know, and helps you understand more deeply. This is what Socratic dialogue is all about – a way of asking questions that has been shaping minds since ancient Greece. It's not just a technique; it's a way of thinking, a path to wisdom, and a tool for personal growth. But how can you master this old art in today's fast-paced, information-packed world? Warren Smith shares his life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. The Socratic method, a cornerstone of his teaching philosophy, encourages deep thinking and self-reflection through thoughtful questioning. As Warren discusses his journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming a respected educator, he emphasizes the importance of curiosity, dialogue, and critical thinking. Listen as young leaders ask questions about life, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and more, and learn how Warren's advice can help shape future leaders. Quotes: "I think we have almost a responsibility to make the most out of what is given to us or what is presented to us when it does come along." – Warren Smith "Most men have six or seven once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that present themselves. And they are almost never ready to capitalize on any of them." – Matt Beaudreau "There's nothing wrong with tying your ambition to a true service to other human beings." – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Embrace unexpected opportunities and be prepared to capitalize on them, while focusing on building what you believe in rather than just opposing what you dislike. Use the Socratic method to foster critical thinking and deeper understanding in conversations, and approach difficult discussions with genuine curiosity and openness. Treat young children as capable thinkers and engage them in meaningful dialogue, recognizing the value of simplicity and efficiency in education and communication. Stand firm in your principles despite social pressure, make hard choices aligned with your values, and create communities that reflect your beliefs rather than trying to change existing ones. Conclusion: The Socratic method is a lifelong journey of learning and self-discovery. Its power lies in exploration rather than seeking answers. By being curious, asking questions, embracing uncertainty, listening, collaborating, and reflecting, we can use Socratic dialogue to transform our lives. Next time you're in a conversation, channel your inner Socrates and follow the questions.

Transitioning from military to civilian life often leaves veterans feeling lost and purposeless. This struggle, while common for former service members, is relatable to anyone facing major life changes. However, hope exists. Veterans can rediscover their purpose through support networks, therapy, education, and tailored job opportunities. By embracing new challenges and using their unique skills, those feeling drifting can build meaningful lives, transforming past experiences into foundations for a fulfilling future. In this episode, meet Tom Satterly, a former Delta Force operator who shares his raw, unfiltered experiences of hitting rock bottom, including multiple suicide attempts, before finding a path to healing. Tune in as Matt and Tom dive deep into the often-overlooked struggles of military veterans transitioning to civilian life. They explore the silent battles many face: PTSD, addiction, and the loss of identity that comes with leaving the service. Listen in as we talk about mental health, managing relationships, self-forgiveness, education, and more! Quotes: "Everybody has their part, and nobody should minimize their part and put themselves down or minimize anybody else's." – Tom Satterly "It's not just the balance; it's optimization. It's defining for ourselves what things are worth optimizing." – Matt Beaudreau "You had to become something else to survive. You had to become the monster to fight the monster. That monster doesn't just go away. You have to have the tools to work with the monster. And one thing is to acknowledge that monster that's in you." – Tom Satterly Takeaways: Approach mental health proactively, like performing preventive maintenance on valuable equipment. Address psychological issues early and consistently to maintain optimal well-being. When combating addictions or destructive behaviors, actively cultivate positive alternatives, replacing harmful patterns with constructive activities or beneficial skills. In relationships, prioritize empathy and understanding over the need to be right. Practice active listening to comprehend your partner's perspective fully before rushing to solutions. This approach fosters deeper connections and more effective problem-solving. Cultivate self-forgiveness as a critical component of personal growth. Distinguish between guilt, which focuses on specific actions, and shame, which attacks self-worth. Concentrate on learning from past mistakes rather than dwelling on them, using guilt constructively to guide future behavior while rejecting the paralyzing effects of shame. Conclusion: Cultivating mental health and strong relationships requires a proactive approach. By addressing mental issues early, practicing active listening, recognizing our different personas, replacing negative habits with positive ones, and practicing self-forgiveness, we can build resilience and lead more fulfilling lives. These strategies help us navigate life's challenges, strengthen our connections with others, and foster continuous personal growth. Implementing these practices allows us to cope with difficulties and thrive in various aspects of our lives.

Are you worried that more kids today feel scared or sad? Do you think how we raise and teach kids might be part of the problem? It's not just phones or computers that might be hurting kids. Being too protective or having too many rules can also cause trouble. When kids don't get to play freely or do things on their own, it can slow down how they learn to think and feel. If we change how we think about raising and teaching kids, we might find better ways to help them. This could help kids become stronger, braver, and better at learning independently. In this episode, meet Peter Gray, a renowned psychologist and researcher who has significantly contributed to our understanding of play, education, and child development. His advocacy is self-directed education, and he has criticized conventional schooling methods. Tune in to learn more about parenting, fostering children, flaws in conventional schooling methods, the power of using technology, and more! Quotes: "We're not allowing them to do what children have always needed to do to grow up, which is to have time to play, to explore, to daydream, to mess around." – Peter Gray "We trust children because we've trained them on what to do, where to go, where not to go, who to talk to, how to talk to them, what they are capable of. And we trust them and believe them, and they stay rise to the occasion every single time." – Matt Beaudreau "We live in an era of technology; if you're not allowing kids to use this technology until a certain age, you're depriving them of a very valuable learning experience." – Peter Gray Takeaways: Let free play be unstructured for kids to develop creativity and problem-solving skills while boosting emotional development. Question the negative impact of overscheduling and too much adult oversight can have on worsening anxiety and depression in young children. Promote developmentally appropriate independence and risk-taking in children's play to spark self-assurance, grit, and bravery. This method helps empower kids with important life skills and strong self-esteem. Focus on engagement-driven, interest-based learning with a departure from hard age stage gates, especially for foundational skills like reading. The solution is not just to shelter children's use of digital technology but instead guide them towards responsible usage as good citizens in the real world. Conclusion: Kids need time to play freely without too many rules. This helps them grow and learn. Too many schedules and always watching kids might make them worried or sad. Let kids try new things independently, as long as it's safe for their age. This helps them become braver and stronger. Games and technology can be good for kids' minds if used the right way. When kids learn about things they like, they often learn better. This can even help them choose jobs they'll enjoy later. Don't protect kids too much. Trust that they can do more than you might think. If we change how we help kids grow up, we can be better parents and teachers. This way, kids can become more confident and capable.

Building a successful business requires a mix of vision, dedication, and strategic planning. It involves understanding your market, offering a valuable product or service, and continuously adapting to changes. Success also hinges on effective leadership and a strong, motivated team. The journey is challenging but can be incredibly rewarding with perseverance and the right approach. Bear and Gard Mayer are the father and son duo behind Bruce Bolt - a premium baseball equipment company. Bear started the business at just 16 years old, driven by a desire to solve the problem of low-quality batting gloves. With his father Gard's entrepreneurial experience and guidance, they've grown Bruce Bolt into a thriving company with innovative products and a strong team culture. This discussion covers their journey from initial concept to current success, touching on challenges like copycat competitors, hiring decisions, and maintaining brand integrity. Join in as young leaders pose inquiries about life, personal development, and beyond! Quotes: “Be kind. Be better. Don't eff this thing up.’” – Gard Mayer “The only way that you can fail is if you stop trying.” – Gard Mayer “We really try our hardest to make sure at the end of the day that we keep a good name for ourselves with our customers.” – Bear Mayer “We say all the time, ‘Fire, aim, ready.’ Take the step, make the move, go. You're going to do some great things, and you're going to make some mistakes that allow the next things to be great.” – Matt Beaudreau Takeaways: Identify a problem in your daily life or favorite activity and brainstorm potential business solutions. Build a support network of mentors and advisors with complementary skills to aid your entrepreneurial journey. Establish 3-5 core values or rules to shape your company culture and work environment. Develop a customer service strategy that becomes a key differentiator for your business. Create a hiring process that ensures new team members align with company values and contribute to a family-like atmosphere. Conclusion: Entrepreneurial success can begin at a young age with determination, family support, and a focus on solving real market problems. The guests’ journey highlights the importance of quality products, excellent customer service, and building a strong team culture based on shared values. Adapting to challenges, learning from failures, and balancing growth with maintaining quality are crucial for long-term business success.

We often focus on wealth and job success, ignoring deeper aspects of our lives. Vulnerability, often seen as a weakness, is overlooked in the pursuit of success. However, being vulnerable can lead to personal growth and better leadership. Accepting our flaws helps us grow and connect with others. Lerrod Smalls shares his journey, insights, and experiences to inspire and empower others. Vulnerability underscores his approach, allowing him to connect deeply with his audience. As a person, he embodies resilience and growth. Tune in as listeners ask questions about personal development, leadership, overcoming adversity, and more! Quotes: "When I admitted I was the problem, I became the solution. If you are the problem, you are also the solution. If somebody else is the problem, you have to wait for them to fix it." - Lerrod Smalls "Self-esteem comes from giving to the external. Self-esteem comes when you help other people and do something hard. The self-esteem grows from that." – Matt Beaudreau "Be about your business and let the flies hang out in their shit. They will be okay and know that they're going to pick up the phone and the static is going to be there, but they will just deal with it." - Lerrod Smalls Takeaways: Take radical accountability for your life, admitting you are the problem to become the solution, and be willing to "kill" your old self to give birth to who you want to become. Focus on small, consistent habits that stack up over time to create big results, aligning your actions with your values and who you want to be, not just what you want to have. Create an environment and "plant your flag" to attract like-minded people who share your new values, and don't seek approval from those who aren't aligned with your growth. Prioritize personal development and self-improvement over external validation, focusing on being the best version of yourself rather than trying to impress others. Be intentional about how you spend your time, money, and energy, seeking out mentors and resources that align with your goals and values. Conclusion: To achieve personal growth, embrace full responsibility for your actions and circumstances. Build consistent habits that match your goals, and surround yourself with supportive and uplifting people. Make self-improvement a daily priority, and be open to reinventing yourself when needed. Remember, success comes from becoming the person you dream of being.

In the past, women were often overlooked in many areas of life. Even with steps towards equal rights, society sometimes pushes women to fit in or stay quiet. Speaking up isn't just about sharing personal views, it's key to moving society forward. When women share their opinions, they challenge old ideas, defend their rights, and help create a more welcoming, diverse world. Miesha Tate shares her life experiences, lessons, and advice to future leaders. Women thrive when they find the courage to use their voices and embrace their strength. As a celebrated UFC athlete and dedicated mother, Miesha exemplifies resilience and empowerment. Tune in as young leaders ask questions about personal growth, leadership, overcoming challenges, and more! Quotes: "I feel my own strength. I don't shy away from that at all. As a female, I feel so blessed to be in this country with the opportunity to make an impact. I would be remiss to let that be wasted.” – Miesha Tate "80% of autoimmune diseases belong to women. I don't think that's a coincidence. I think it's because of all the things that I just listed, that we are trying to do not only the man's job but also the traditional woman's job. We're really spread thin.” – Miesha Tate "I want transparency. I want to be able to give the truth to whoever wants to know the truth. So that I can make informed decisions, you know, that's what I want." – Miesha Tate Takeaways: Prioritize self-care and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Setting aside time for rest, play, and healthy habits, which will not only benefit individual health, but also set a good example for children. Understand and define personal values and identity outside traditional roles like mother, wife, or career, and know one's inherent worth. Regular self-reflection can aid in this process and lead to improvements in all areas of life. Educate children about nutrition and advocate for transparency in the food system. This includes questioning what we don't know, supporting local farmers, and considering growing our own food for healthier options. Women often feel immense pressure to manage all aspects of life. It's important to find a supportive community and ask for help when needed to prevent burnout. Start the day with a routine that promotes positivity and accomplishment, such as light exposure, meditation, and goal-setting. This, along with fostering a strong, educated community, can empower individuals and families to flourish. Conclusion: Self-care, community involvement, and education are the keys to personal and family happiness. It's okay to feel stressed sometimes, but always remember to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Set some goals, don't be afraid to ask for help, and make decisions based on what you know is right. Staying open-minded, balanced and committed to personal growth can help us face life's challenges, find that inner strength, and stay true to what we believe in.