Are you all in or faded in your freedom

I walk daily for an hour with a 30 pound ruck. My path I always take was muddy so I took the hill off to the left. This is about all the times in life we see the path ahead... the path we have always taken... we notice the mud ahead and realize there is another way. This is about the journey over the desination. Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do.

This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases.

https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie...

Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Title: Date night - When? How? Family, kids, travel, work, working out, covid - WHEN??

Here’s the story:

Went to crossfit with my queen. With mom and dad in town we had a chance to push some weight and get our hearts pumping. The wod 1:30 min bike followed by squat cleans - back and forth doing one each till we both hit 5 and then back to the bike. 5 rounds adding weight. Seeing my queen push, grind, hustle right in front of me .... proud, inspired, motivated .... turned on by the beauty of her ... in motion.

The truth is setting us free!!!

We fight we grind we hustle in life - at times we do battle, we collide and its powerful as we are able to come from those challenges with a greater sense of awareness and respect for each other. At time we fight, we collide, we do battle as King and queen against the chaos and world outside of us with great desire to stand for our own way of life. That same fight is the fight I saw as we worked out. What a way to be in it together... to see us doing our best and pushing the envelope of life. To walk away thinking.... what just happened, we succeeded, we failed, we encouraged - we fist bumped and went home listening to our favorite music elevated in our stand together in all we believe and most importantly in who we are becoming. Unlike a night out drinking we pushed reality in a different way and while we were sore the next day we were not slow and faded - we were powerful, inspired - motivated to take on the day with a bit of love, pain and earned faith. One of my greatest desires is to find a way to do this weekly - once we get it dialed in add a lunch date or movie once a week.

Simple lesson:

Enjoy what you enjoy and at times do it together. We enjoy crossfit, we enjoy playing cards, we enjoy amazing food ( carne asada ) we enjoy good sleep - when all of those are on point we are living within a world only we could create,

FINAL INSIGHTS or REVELATIONS that you’re leaving this with?

How we embrace this journey is up to us. Maybe its a date with drinking, dancing ...maybe its crossfit and a partner wod..maybe its a cup of coffee, lunch, a movie, a hike - its our life, its your life - choose the path.

My question for you:

What can you do with your significant other once a week that may not be the wild and crazy date night but will be a time for you both to enjoy and wake up feeling like the King and Queen of your castle.

Here’s to and your good life - on your terms in a way that works for you. Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

TITLE: The weight of our lies we carry with us

DATE: Wednesday, November 4th 2020

I was walking today with my ruck and 35 pounds of weight. I thought about my lies ... not the ones I have spoken as those are far and few inbetween. I am talking about the unspoken lies. I consider the weight I was carrying representing all those times I should have said something but kept my mouth shut. I realized how those little unspoken lies over time have had a big impact the way I see life. I realized there were 4 that were big and worthy of a deep dive.

I got to thinking - usually I wear a 40 pound vest - today was the ruck and the way the weight pulled on me combined with the idea of carrying my lies with me was undeniable. It literally pulled on me in all that I believe to be in life.

Here’s where the light came on from my darkness to an idea of what could be fulled by a single thought.

The 40 pound vest is easier. The weight is spread out evenly - it is meant to be carried. Alright what if I flip the script - what if I had the opportunity to drop the weight of my past, my lies, my stories - and in turn by doing so I get the opportunity to carry a different kind of weight.

All these experiences that have griped me - touched my soul with the pain and at times pleasure of living.... they are stepping stones ... they are gifts of the journey but BUT if I dont embrace, embrace the lesson to learn they turn into stones.

They end up weighing me down like stones in a ruck I have carried so long I almost forget that.... its my choice.

Carry the ruck with the weight of my past, my lies, my stories or

Carry the weight like a vest that was meant to be moved.

From this day forward I carry the weight not of my lies but the 7 areas in my life I choose to fight for.

My questions for you?

What lies have you been telling to others?

What lies have you been telling yourself?

Most importantly what unspoken lies have you been walking through life with worthy of figuring out and letting go. What could you let go of so you can grab the weight of life worthy of carrying.

If you had a backpack / ruck you choose to pick up everyday but could only put 7 Rocks in it representing the most important things in life you stand for what would they be.

Is it a person, your passion, your work, is it spiritual, is it about your body and a way you want to move it daily?

Just consider if you had that backpack / ruck, you knew the right rocks to carry and embraced today like there was no tomorrow... what a life you would live.

So many options these days.

Imagine as you go through your day you have a high focus on what matters. Imagine as things come up you consider the rocks and how it serves them. How it serves the weight you choose to carry.

That weight when served daily with deeds of courage becomes more and more of a gift.

When we carry the weight we should and our actions do not align with serving the greater good of our journey that weight becomes a burden or worse we become numb to it and lose the greatest gift of all. As we are in those frames we know - this is the rock I choose to carry, to hold, to stand for right here right now.

Here’s to you putting some of the weight you carry making room for the weight you where always meant to stand for.

Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

Targets, goals, dreams, visions, destinations - all powerful and yet I wonder is the power in getting there or is the real power in the journey. In the struggle, in the victory of presence within the moment.

I believe at times we fight so hard to get to that certain place that ( it ) becomes the obsession. There is a shift.

Its as if we lose site of the power to be had within the journey because so much energy is being used to fight for the image we want and or created yesterday.

We are taught in many ways life is about obtaining, it is about title, it is about the defined success of the masses.... good job, nice cars, start a family....... how often do we get lost fighting for the image losing site of the real gift right infront of us.

How do we break that cycle of losing track in the process of what matters.

We have all done it in body, in our spiritual world, with our family and in business - attempting to maintain an image of yesterday success and or so lost in the destination we fail to see all the opportunities right here and now.

We have a target, a goal, a mission and the mission becomes everything with major focus on the future. The other option is to have the target, goal, mission and have the focus be on embracing the journey so that over time we have this.....earned presence that inturn rewards us with our desired outcome. Almost in a way and time we don’t expect it.

You remember a time when you embraced a path and the reward was a moment when you looked in the mirror and was proud or someone within the journey says something and you realize ....this is why I am on this path.

Its when we are doing the work and we lose track of time - in a good way.

That’s the reward. The destination is an idea, a vision, a feeling ... this is the way I am supposed to go.

The true gift is not a set date or definitive outcome... its when we get lost in the journey and at one point along the way we have this feeling .... like this is it. This is why I live my life this way.

If we live for the power of presence within the journey over solely focusing on the future - we will earn presence in the frames that matter most and almost naturally what ever the desired outcome was will not only be accomplished it will be superseded with powerful gifts along the way.

We may actually end up at a very different place when all the dust settles and thats fine because it will be a place we found by living life true fighting for the moments and seconds over the title, object, destination alone.

This idea is not easy but it is simple and true. I have not figured this out but everyday living this way I get closer not to a destination but a state of becoming where I can see. I can really see.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU:

What do you want out of the journey over the destination?

Body?

Working out, walking, running, kayaking, hiking, yoga, surfing, playing music....

Tip choose the activity you will enjoy and get lost in - over time I would bet you will surpass any goals you might have set doing something you dislike.

Being - Spiritual?

Church on Sunday, morning meditations, mid day meditations, guided meditations!

Balance?

Family breakfast, lunch, dinner, movies, outdoor activities, games at the table?

Business?

What do you love about what you do? If you are in a transition - what is real soul purpose? Let your motivation to succeed at your current position be fueled by the fire that this is a stepping stone.

These are not easy questions to consider, the answer is always there if we are willing to step with courage.

If you want more clarity, certainty, my presence in the moments that matter most check out one of the greatest programs I am been through with my brothers and sister at Warrior. Minimal cost with undeniable impact if you are up for the challenge. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

TITLE: WHERE DO YOU LEAD AND WHERE DO YOU LEAN - IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STAND!

THE STORY:

Had a powerful call with my brothers from Warrior and the question was asked - where do we lead and where do we lean.

I realized one of the ways I lead is by leveraging the most powerful tool if not weapon I have at my fingertips - the Warrior Stack App.

Life continues to hit, I have moments where I shake my head in disbelief wondering why and then moments of bliss and I wonder how can I be so fortunate.

I lead by stacking those moments - I lead by clarifying the truth and by doing so I am able to better navigate this crazy thing called life.

* For the sake of connecting to this lesson - you could consider stacking like journaling only with specific questions created to get the absolute most out of our moments in life that grip us.

WHERE I HAVE FAILED - WHERE I AM LEANING:

There is a moment within the stack where I get the revelation - I get the gift of clarity... I get the truth of the real story and in that moment I have a choice. The choice of walking away from it with some knowledge and hope I remember if a similar situation comes up.

OR THE BETTER QUESTION - WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO NOW?

Truth - I have failed to take enough action. You see it is one thing to recognize how these moments happen yet another to see the truth and then set a specific action to respect the true power of the revelation.

Its like that devil is on my shoulder saying - hey man ... you are doing more than most... relax.. no need to go crazy and take action.

Not taking action .... is an action that in a way supports not becoming a better man.... I am actually leaning on the ways of my past if I dont do something with this new found clarity.

Its deep and I can see most wondering ... what the hell this guy talking about...

Alright for those who get it.....

MY QUESTIONS FOR YOU -

What do you do when life hits both good and bad to get those feeling down?

What are you going to do from the point you have the revelation to take that power a step further?

It’s smart to call a timeout and find truth within the moments of our life’s .......

........ it is courageous to take action once we see the light within once the dust clears.

It’s one this to stand, one thing to lean and another to step.

Here’s to you stepping toward the life you where always meant to live!

Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

TITLE - MY SON DREAMT I WAS THE BAD GUY...WHAT A HORRIBLE FEELING.

Branden Travis Mackenzie | May 18th 2020

THE STORY :

I hear my son Derek get up like he had a bad dream. Told him I was here. He said he had a bad dream and that he dreamt I was a bad guy.

My heart sank ....what a horrible feeling ....

I QUICKLY WONDERED WHY AND REMEMBER THE NIGHT PRIOR:

The night prior I told Derek as he challenged me - go up stairs. I did not yell, I told him in a way he did not question, he moved. When I went up stairs he was mad. I told him when I say something he needs to listen. Problem is I over reacted - he was right. This is where shit gets fucked up. This is where I run the saying - it’s my job to be a parent and his job to be a kid. But that doesn’t justify using force over power. I acted like a fucking dictator. The end result my son has a bad dream that I am the bad guy.

THE TRUTH - THE RAW FACTS:

I was having a bad day and he didn’t listen. His lack of attention was a trigger to my frustration and the result was me taking it out on him.

This is not about the moment I failed at the end of the day but the moments I failed at the beginning of the day.

A PAINFUL REVELATION:

There is a bad guy within all of us and I am not exempt. I want to cage that man. I want that guy to only come out when the shit hits the fan where I am in a position of absolute fear for my family. Outside of that I can not allow the actions of that night. Some may say - hey man you are just being a dad. Fuck that - I was a dick. I was an asshole dad that was short tempered. Combine that with the wrong actions in general and outside influence from the wrong people in society and my son will end up a magnified version of the man I was that night.

WHEN ALL THE DUST SETTLES:

To understand that my mission is to be a good man, a good father and husband. I want to never forget this as it is a reaction to my actions. My son dreamt I was a bad guy. There is a bad guy within. When I fail to rise that’s when I slip. I allow sedation from stories like - your job to be a dad. Forget that - it’s not a job nor a title - it is an honor.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU:

What can you do? How can you own your day from the start so that when those you love challenge you ... in the end you are not the bad guy - you are not the bad guy in their dream....

Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

MY STORY:

I continued to get up through the night - I was so tired of not getting straight sleep. I would sleep for an hour get up sleep for an hour get up. Thought this has to change.

THE REALITY - TELL IT LIKE IT IS.

Sleep had been a problem since I can remember. As a kid I had horrible nightmares, then in the military sleep just became a fucked cycle of always on edge. I would have these dreams of getting shot - gun to the head wake up dripping in sweat. I would deal with it by popping caffeine pills at 4 am then taking a shower with a strong pot of coffee brewing. I had a hard time getting it right... or better...nightmares as a kid, sleepless nights in the military....

THATS MY STORY - MY STORY HAD TO CHANGE

The better question remained - what the hell could I do....this is what I did....

IT DOESN’T START AT NIGHT....it starts from the moment I wake up.

I start my day with power - from the first step out of bed I am geared through Warrior to live by the code. One huge step in the right direction of starting my day with powerful presence is CORE 4. Check out www.warriorapp.com - 6 more actions I take that help covered in this podcast. MY QUESTION FOR YOU -

What is one thing you can do to get better sleep? Don’t wait take action. Its not one night nor the 10 or 15 minutes lost you could have had a bit more peace... its years and years of it all adding up to a painful reality.

Let’s flip the script and make sleep our place of power we often replace with caffeine.

Here’s to your good life... better said - here’s to a good night sleep!

Branden MacKenzie

Proud Member of Warrior

US Army Infantry Vet 2001 - 2006 A father, husband, brother, a son, a friend fighting to become the best I can be.

Oh by the way.... do you want more clarity, more certainty, more ability to be present with presence?

Join the Wake Up Warrior Challenge I recently experienced personally - 30 days of power presence earned in the work you will do. This challenge has giving me the ability to pivot, to learn, grow - gain clarity I could only earn within this process.

I believe its not the destination - its about the journey and the man we are becoming on a day to day bases. https://wakeupwarrior.com/challenge?ref=brandenmackenzie&utm_source=brandenmackenzie

I have never felt such pain or fear. I will never forget. I learned from my mistake and while she is ok .... it should never have happened. Take the time to do the things that matter now. Don’t wait. Don’t leave what is meant to be done today for tomorrow. I share this story because someone else shared theirs and it changed seconds that will forever last a lifetime. I want to fight for today like there is no tomorrow. I have been blessed to experience some amazing peaks and valleys. The ones I wished for a few more seconds and then those I wished to never comeback from. In the end it comes down to right now. One of my greatest decisions in life was to join Warrior. The www.Warriorapp.com is powerful if you are interested in a little more clarity, a little more belief.. maybe a little more fight in your day. As it pertains to business one system I am currently learning and realizing has a power that will connect my service in a way no other to those I may be fortunate to serve is click funnels. If curious check out this free book I am reading right now. https://trafficsecrets.com?cf_affiliate_id=1960477&affiliate_id=1960477

We all have experienced it. People in our lives who have impacted us greatly and over time we lost contact or maybe we got sideways.... one this is for sure there were times we will never forget and that is the sign... the sign that its times to make the call, write the note, send the text. Today is the day. I want to fight for today like there is no tomorrow. I have been blessed to experience some amazing peaks and valleys. The ones I wished for a few more seconds and then those I wished to never comeback from. In the end it comes down to right now. One of my greatest decisions in life was to join Warrior. The www.Warriorapp.com is powerful if you are interested in a little more clarity, a little more belief.. maybe a little more fight in your day. As it pertains to business one system I am currently learning and realizing has a power that will connect my service in a way no other to those I may be fortunate to serve is click funnels. If curious check out this free book I am reading right now. https://trafficsecrets.com?cf_affiliate_id=1960477&affiliate_id=1960477

This is about fighting for the power of now. This is about making the moments of today count. This is about eliminating the stories that I / we allow to justify waking up feeling off. Which is how I felt Friday morning. I don’t want to accept that I want to fight for today like there is no tomorrow. I have been blessed to experience some amazing peaks and valleys. The ones I wished for a few more seconds and then those I wished to never comeback from. In the end it comes down to right now. One of my greatest decisions in life was to join Warrior. The www.Warriorapp.com is powerful if you are interested in a little more clarity, a little more belief.. maybe a little more fight in your day. As it pertains to business one system I am currently learning and realizing has a power that will connect my service in a way no other to those I may be fortunate to serve is click funnels. If curious check out this free book I am reading right now. https://trafficsecrets.com?cf_affiliate_id=1960477&affiliate_id=1960477