It started with a simple idea: what if groups of men came together for intentional adventures?
Back in late 2024, I found myself having conversations with friends and acquaintances about this concept. I was inspired by Michael Easter's book, The Comfort Crisis. The idea that we're getting more comfortable in our lives, and we need things that pull us out of our comfort zones physically so we can better handle the challenges that come our way.
My vision was kick-ass adventures by day that awaken souls, followed by deep conversations around campfires at night that unite souls. The blood and sweat from adventure, followed by the tears of deep connection. A yearly practice of pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones while building accountability with each other to keep making ourselves better.
As I kept having these conversations, I found myself going down different rabbit holes. The issues that men are facing in the world kept pulling me deeper. The research led me to form an opinion that felt both obvious and radical: most of the human created problems in the world come from men.
Not men themselves, but the culturally conditioned fear-based masculinity that so many men live. I believe that fear is the root of the environmental crisis and the desire for control and power and more. Fear is the root of racism, going back to that same drive for control and power. It's the root of LGBTQ+ phobia. When people are coming from a place of fear, it leads us to bad places.
That realization inspired me to write a paper called "If We Want to Heal the World, We Need to Heal Men" which I am now turning into a book. The basic idea is that the most under-leveraged thing we can do to heal the world is to free men from the constraints of fear-based masculinity.
And that led me here. To this adventure.
What This Adventure Actually Is
I'm spending this year exploring where love and fear show up in our world, especially in the lives of men, and how freeing men from fear-based masculinities heals individuals, communities, and systems.
This isn't about having all the answers. It's about following a trail that could lead to profound change for men, for everyone, and for the world we're building together.
I'm using six trail markers to guide this exploration:
Starting with Myself – I'm actively noticing, naming, and working on where fear shapes my own choices, voice, or actions. I'm not just studying the shift from fear to love. I'm living it.
Staying Guided by My Compass – Every step connects back to how freeing men from fear creates broader healing.
Adventuring into the Full Spectrum – I'm engaging with diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences while exploring change at individual, community, and systems levels.
Following the Trail of Truth – I'm staying curious about how fear and love show up, noticing patterns without rushing to judgment or solutions.
Making the Adventure Visible and Invitational – I'm sharing the journey in ways that invite others to join.
Protecting the Energy – I'm keeping a pace that sustains curiosity and honors my partnership with my wife, Becca.
Nine Trails to Explore
This exploration is vast and interconnected. I've mapped nine distinct trails that each offer unique insights into how fear gets embedded and how love might lead instead:
• Men's Work & Movements – From healthy men's work to harmful manosphere movements
• Culture & History – How different cultures and historical periods have shaped masculinity
• Education & Development – How our systems affect boys and men
• Evolution & Biology – The intersection of biological realities with cultural conditioning
• Economics & Money – How financial systems drive fear-based behaviors
• Spirituality & Religion – How faith traditions address fear vs. love in men's lives
• Relationships & Community – How men show up in relationships and community building
• Arts & Media – How stories and creative expression shape masculine identity
• Personal Development & Consciousness Work – Frameworks that help shift from fear to love
Some trails I'll spend more time exploring than others. The path will evolve based on what I discover along the way. The goal isn't to become an expert in each domain, but to follow the threads of fear and love wherever they lead and see what patterns emerge.
This Is a Discovery Year
This is my adventure year, a time for deep discovery, listening, and learning rather than quick solutions. I'll be sharing what I'm learning, what I'm feeling, and the connections I'm making about myself and about culture in general. This isn't about perfect insights or polished wisdom. It's about the messy, real process of exploration.
My vision is simple but big: a world where people live in harmony with each other and the planet because love, not fear, now shapes how we lead, relate, and build.
There are many ways to join this adventure. You might be a Trail Watcher, witnessing the journey and reflecting on what it stirs in you. You could step in as a Trail Companion, sharing your own stories about how love and fear show up in your life. Some will feel called to be Trail Connectors, helping expand the reach by sharing content and drawing others in. And others will become Trail Builders, providing resources and expertise that make the adventure possible.
Whatever calls you, the trail is open.
If this stirred something in you, I'd love to hear about it. And if you know someone who might be curious about this exploration, please share this with them.