Today, I've got a different podcast for you today. My guest is Tim Ballard and he is the founder of Operation Under Ground Railroad, a non-profit organization designed to save children around the world from child sex trafficking.
My wife initially introduced me to Tim's work and, after following him for sometime, I'm inspired by the good he's doing in the world in the wake of some horrific atrocities more men need to know about. Today, we talk about stories of his team's rescues, how these young children are being helped to recover, how to find a calling in life, how to avoid "the flinch" when undercover, and the fight against child sex trafficking.
My guest today is Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad, a non-profit designed to rescue the victims of child sex trafficking.
To date, Tim and his team have rescued 745 victims and assisted in the arrest of 365 traffickers around the world.
Originally, Tim worked for 12 years as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security but became frustrated with the red tape and inability he had to actually remove these children from the horrible situations he was responsible for investigating.
In 2013, he left the department and founded Operation Underground Railroad. Today, we're going to talk about that process, the good he's now doing in the world, how to take action on the problems you see in the world, and how you can get involved in this fight.
Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes
Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/137
Website: http://orderofman.com
The following podcast is an excerpt from our new book to be released February 2018. If you would like to be among the first to know when the book is available, register here.
www.orderofman.com/FFN079
Please leave us a rating and review!
Recognizing that we, as men, wear masks might just be one of the most difficult self-evaluation processes we can go through. It's difficult because sometimes we've been wearing a mask for so long that it actually becomes part of who we are and how we define ourselves.
My guest today, New York Times Bestselling Author Lewis Howes, joins me to talk about why men are failing so many benchmarks, how to recognize and confront what is holding you back, why the masks we wear hinder our personal growth, and the 9 masks of masculinity.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
LEWIS HOWES
My guest today is New York Times Bestselling Author, Mr Lewis Howes.
I know a ton of you are already familiar with his work and what he's up to with his own company and podcast (which is listened to millions of times per month), The School of Greatness.
We had Lewis on the show a while back but since then, he has released his newest book, The Mask of Masculinity.
What I enjoyed a lot about this book is that Lewis really pulled back the curtain in his own life and you can tell by the way he's analyzed who he is and what makes him tick that this is a process he doesn't just talk about, this is a process that he's actually gone through and uncovered for himself.
Lewis Howes had a lot of success as a professional athlete (which hints at the mask he was wearing) only to find himself injured and wondering how he could redefine himself and tap into who he really is.
Gentlemen, gear up, prepare to challenge some thoughts about who you are, and let's unpack the idea of the mask of masculinity.
Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes
Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/136
Website: http://orderofman.com
As a lot of you already know, I interviewed Navy SEAL and New York Times Bestselling author, Jocko Willink, earlier this week. One thing that he said that really stuck out to me was the difference between former military members who are able to maintain their discipline after the service and those who aren’t.
I have personally seen both. I’ve seen veterans who make a seamless transition into civilian life and I see those that really flounder and I’ve often wondered what the difference was as well.
What Jocko said is that the difference between the two is whether or not they’ve found a new mission.
During my time in the military, the mission was always very clear to me. We were instructed on the objective, given our marching orders, then left to carry them out. But, when you transition out of the military, there’s no one to give you any marching orders and you’re left on your own to figure it all out.
What’s interesting to me is that one of my favorite authors, John Eldredge (who, by the way, just agreed to come on the podcast) happens to be the author of one of my favorite quotes.
He says, “Deep in his heart, every man longs for a battle to fight, and adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” I want to focus the conversation today on the first component of that quote, a battle to fight.
Men are warriors. Not all warriors have to be battle proven in war but I do believe it’s in our nature to look for problems, to be on the lookout for the enemy or, at a minimum, a threat to our livelihood and the people we have a responsibility for.
I look around in society today and I see men who have no real sense of direction or purpose. I know you do to - maybe it’s you. You look into their eyes and you can see that all the enthusiasm and excitement they may have once had is all but gone.
I would argue it’s because these men, as Jocko would say, have no mission or, as John Eldredge would say, they have no battle to fight.
So today, I’m going to encourage you to pick a fight – to pick a battle. I don’t mean a literal fight with someone or a group of people. I mean that I want you to take a look around at society and engage in a cause worth fighting for. This could be a career calling, a fitness journey, the family you’re working to provide, protect, and preside for. I really don’t care what it is but I do want to give you four steps to engaging in the fight of your life.
As I talk about these four steps, I’m going to give you a lot of questions as opposed to answers. I can’t decide what your battle is. You have to decide that for yourself and the best way for me to help you do that is to give you some questions to ponder and consider.
The first step in picking a battle to fight is to talk a look around society and identify what you see as being wrong with the world. Write down everything that comes to mind. In a way, you’re identifying the enemy. Not a literal enemy but the thing you’re going to fight against.
For men, 3 years ago, I saw that there was a real problem with the state of affairs for men. Like I mentioned before, I’ve seen too many men who have lost the spark of life and don’t know where to turn. Couple that with the fact that society in general doesn’t like or approve of masculinity (until they need men to do something) and it became painfully obvious that there was a problem.
In many ways I set out to solve my own problems as I was one of the men to which I’m referring.
The answers to those questions will help you identify the battle you may have been born to fight.
Remember, you’re not limiting yourself here. You’re just brainstorming.
Once, you’ve identified some problems with the world – the ones that are meaningful to you, you’re probably going to find a common theme between them. There are probably a few that overlap or stand out to you.
If that’s the case, I’d recommend you start doing some reconnaissance.
When you start answering questions like these, you start giving yourself the power to do something about the problems you see with the world.
Once you’ve identified the enemy and you’ve done some recon regarding the battle already being wages and the gaps that need to be filled, you can start planning your battle.
Once you know the answers to these questions, you should then ask yourself, what is the next first step?
You don’t have to have this all mapped out. You just need to know what the next step is because the next step in your battle is to engage.
Maybe it’s to create a website or a podcast. Maybe you need to ask for a promotion at work or propose a project to your employer. Maybe you just need to start talking about some of this stuff on social media.
I don’t know what this looks like for you but you’re going to feel if it’s right only when you start engaging in the fight.
It does no good to do all this planning without actually taking the fight to the enemy. I see too many men plan and strategize and think about what they want and then never do anything about it.
I want you to take the next first step. Once you’ve done that, I want you to take the next first step. Over and over again.
When you find yourself getting off track, adjust and keep driving. You’re going to feel it.
I know this isn’t easy, especially if you feel like your soul has been dead for some time now but I can promise you that when you follow these steps and choose your battle your soul will come alive for the first time in years. You’ll feel like you have a calling – a purpose again. You’ll walk around with your head held high knowing that you’re doing the work of a man. I know it’s certainly been true for me.
www.orderofman.com/FFN078
Please leave us a rating and review!
There is no shortage of motivational events, courses, seminars, quotes, and memes. Don't get me wrong, motivation has its purpose but discipline is a far greater asset on your path to accomplishing big things in your life. Where motivation falls short, discipline picks up the slack.
Today, I'm joined by a man that needs no introduction, Jocko Willink, to talk about connecting future ambitions with present actions, why every man must find his mission, how to overcome fear and procrastination, and his mantra, "Discipline Equals Freedom."
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
JOCKO WILLINK
Gentlemen, I am stoked to introduce you to my return guest, Jocko Willink.
I'm sure that you know Jocko but in case you've been living under a rock the past 4-5 years or so, let me introduce you to him.
He is a Former Navy SEAL and commander of Task Unit Bruiser (the most decorated special forces unit of the Iraqi War), a recipient of the Bronze and Silver Star, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blackbelt, a New York Times Bestselling author of three books, and arguably one of the most disciplined men on this planet.
I, like you, have been following him ever since I ran across his book, Extreme Ownership, in Barnes & Noble and have been fortunate enough to develop a close enough relationship with him and his team that I when I heard he was coming out with a new book, Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual, I was able to get a message to him and get him back on the show.
Gentlemen, strap in, get your notepads out, and get ready to tune into one of the most qualified men I know to talk about how discipline will give you the freedom you're after.
Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes
Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/135
Website: http://orderofman.com
In October of 2016, Todd Orr was hiking in the mountains of Montana when he spotted a grizzly bear. He made eye contact and the bear ran off with her cubs over a crest in the distance. Only a few minutes later, Todd turned around to find the bear charging towards him. He pulled out his bear spray, fired, then collapsed as he found himself in a life and death struggle against a grizzly bear.
Not only did Todd survive, on his way back to his vehicle, he was attacked by the same bear again in a second life or death struggle.
www.orderofman.com/FFN077
Please leave us a rating and review!
At times, we tend to get into our own heads and become our own worst enemies. We often write off anyone who happens to disagree with us, puts us down in any way, and label them as "haters."
But it's our natural tendency - especially as high achieving men - to be our harshest critics. It's valuable at times and drives us to do great things and, other times, it creates unnecessary barriers to our success. My guest today, Gary John Bishop, author of Unfu*ck Yourself joins me to talk about how to redefine yourself by becoming unrealistic, how to uncover the narratives we tell ourselves, the difference between knowing something and being aware of something, and how to get out of your head and into your life.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Gentlemen, my guest today is Gary John Bishop.
He is a personal development expert and the author of Unfu*ck Yourself - which is a book I just picked up to read a couple weeks ago.
In reading it, I can appreciate Gary's no-nonsense approach to human development, and high-powered mentoring. And, I knew right away I had to get him on the show.
He's worked with top athletes and Fortune 500 executives in his personal development career.
This guy is real. He's raw. He tells it like it is and pulls no punches which is exactly what we, as men, might just need in order to come to some realizations about our own lives, how to get out of our own heads, and out of our own way.
Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes
Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/134
Website: http://orderofman.com
Everywhere you turn you’ll find another “motivational guru” attempting to inspire the masses to take action. If you’re like me, you’ve attended conferences, purchased courses, and poured over endless quotes and memes in a feeble attempt to get motivated enough to do what you already know you should be doing.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing particularly wrong with motivation, other than it doesn’t last. We’ve all left that conference feeling inspired only to get back into the grind and lose the excitement within 24-48 hours.
Like a drug-user hooked on cocaine, we’re constantly on the lookout for the next conference that promises to inspire, amaze, and motivate us yet again.
We go. We spend the time, the energy, and the money. And, we even get motivated for another 24-48 hours, until our next fix is needed.
And that’s the problem. We become dependent when we seek motivation from outside sources. And those that host these conferences know that and bank on the fact that you’ll have to come back next year.
I’m not suggesting you don’t attend these motivational conferences. I’m encouraging you to dig deeper than the surface-level B.S. that seems to be so prevalent in today’s society.
But rather than beat my chest and shout a catchy little tagline that “Motivation is B.S.”, let me share five strategies you can start using today to become your own source of inspiration and, more importantly, action.
We live in a world where everything is promised immediately. Through Amazon, you can be reading a book I recommend in the next couple minutes. We’re promised immediate results from the latest fat-loss hack. Even podcast like this one allow us to listen to any subject on demand free from any need to wait for or on anyone.
In most cases, this access to information, products, and services is a beautiful thing. The unintended consequence, however, is that our attention span and patience has been greatly diminished.
That’s too bad considering that your success in any area of life requires an insane amount of consistency over long periods of time.
If you’re looking for immediate results in your life, motivation might just cut it. But if you’re interested in maintaining a healthy, wealthy, and successful life, you’re going to have to wrap your head around taking action for a lifetime.
Planting your flag requires you to be a man of your word. If, for example, you’ve committed to working out 5 days a week, every day you miss makes you a liar – to put it bluntly.
Sure, we can sugarcoat it and make excuses for why we missed our workouts but at the end of the day, you did not do what you said you would and that, by definition, makes you less than a man of your word.
It’s a good thing then that the idea of doing what you say you will is a skill set that can be learned.
All it takes is effort and consistency. Even the smallest of task and the smallest of promises count. If you tell your wife you’re going to take out the trash, take out the trash. If you tell your son you’re going to play catch with him after school, play catch with him after school. If you tell a neighbor you’ll be there to help him move, be there on time to help him move.
Every time you fail to keep your word, a little piece of your soul dies. It’s no wonder then why so many men seem to be miserable. They can’t keep their promises to themselves, let alone to others.
When you wake up early in the morning to work out, don’t question whether or not you should. Question whether or not you’re going to be a man of your word today. After all, the promises you make to yourself are the most important you can make.
Part of being a man of your word is about creating systems and processes to ensure you are.
Let’s use the workout example again. If you tell yourself you’re going to work out in the morning, set your clothes out the night before, get your pre-workout drink ready, and know what your workout is going to be. These are three simple systems that will keep you on track when you don’t want to be on track.
Calendars, daily rituals, evening routines, task lists, electronic reminders, Field Notes journals, coaching, and masterminds are all examples of systems and processed you can implement to get your work done.
Out of all the systems we could talk about, I want to focus on the idea of reviewing your progress. Most men don’t. We tend to identify the task, do it (or don’t), then move right to the next task.
This process of reviewing your actions, conversations, projects, interactions, and day is a critical component of diving deeper than simply being motivated.
I learned the after-action review in the military which is a series of five questions you can ask yourself to review your work and get you pointed in the right direction every day. For the sake of time, I’m not going to share the questions but if you’re interested, you can get a copy of the After-Action Review at www.orderofman.com/afteractionreview.
After all is said and done, the mantra that discipline trumps motivation has been a huge help for me.
Motivation is external. Discipline is internal. We rely on outside sources when we seek after motivation. We depend on ourselves when we strive for discipline.
This is what makes discipline so powerful. We simple decide that we’re going to be disciplined rather than wait for the perfect set of variables to motivate and inspire.
When you’re struggling to get out of bed, or workout, or be consistent with the project at work or in school, remember and tell yourself, “discipline trumps motivation” or as Jocko would say, “Discipline equals freedom.”
Internalize it, get a bracelet that says it, tattoo it on your forehead if you have to but whatever you do life your life by the words, “discipline trumps motivation.”
This is not an overnight process, especially if you’ve been relying others to motivate you most of your life but remember to plant your flag, be a man of your word, develop systems and processes, review your progress, and live your life by the mantra, “discipline trumps motivation” and you’ll never want - or need - for motivation again.
www.orderofman.com/FFN076
Please leave us a rating and review!
Every single one of has fallen a time or two in life. And, everyone of us knows a man who has failed to get back up from that fall. It's not an easy thing to overcome the wounds of failure, but if we want to thrive, it's a requirement.
My guest today, Champion Muay Thai Fighter Chris Romulo, joins me to talk about finding the fight in us, the difference between ego and confidence, living by the mantra, "Fall seven times, stand up eight," and how to develop the fighter's mindset.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
• What is the "Champions Uprising"
• The fight that changed everything for Chris
• How to find your rhythm and flow in life
• Why timing is critical
• The importance of settling into life
• How to change your mindset
• How to find the fight in us
• The difference between complacency and getting comfortable
• How to overcome the pushback
• How to develop of fighter's mindset
• 7 factors of an uprising
• The difference between ego and confidence
• Living by the mantra, "Fall seven times, stand up eight"
Gentlemen, I am stoked to be introducing you to my guest today, Chris Romulo.
You're going to hear how impressive this man is in my interview today but you're also going to hear the humility that has turned Chris into a champion multiple times over.
Chris is a 6-time Muay Thai champion, and the author of his new book, Champions Uprising. He is also a fighting coach and the owner of CROM fitness where he teaches men and boys the how to fight, develop grit and determination, and the fighter's mindset both inside the ring and out.
Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes
Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/133
Website: http://orderofman.com