Becoming Sovereign

Today, Monday, February 17th at 4pm EST, we are launching RoughRider: a brand that myself and two of my close friends have been building for nearly a year. 

Classic clothing designs with a western touch — made in America, by Americans, for Americans. 

The name RoughRider is an ode to the First United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, also known as the Rough Riders. Led by Colonel Leonard Wood and Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, these men volunteered to fight the nation’s enemies in the Spanish-American War in 1898. They were from every corner of the nation, from every type of background, but were united by the American spirit. 

That same spirit has flowed through the men who founded, built, and have defended this nation, and hopefully the men who will don RoughRider. 

Our first button-up, ‘The Roosevelt’ will be available in 2 colors: Frontier Tan and Patriot Blue. There is a limited number of these being released; if you’re interested, enter your email at roughriderusa.co to be notified about the launch and get yours before they sell out.

I read “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage"

Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Irish in the early 20th century who led the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition - one of the most daring and famous expeditions of the last several hundred years.

The 28 man crew spent 622 days alone in the Antarctic, enduring some of the harshest weather and living conditions on Earth before being rescued. Everyone survived the treacherous journey in large part due to the incredible leadership of Shackleton.

Shackleton is one of the greatest leaders of men the world has known; this is the story of his famed expedition.

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Read the book: “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage"

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Ben Wilson is the host of the renowned podcast How To Take Over The World where he studies history’s greatest leaders and heroes so you can learn lessons from their lives and become a great leader yourself.

We discuss why great leaders study great leaders and why you should too, the role copying has in creating, the two qualities of every great leader, how to cultivate a vision, how Jesus took over the world without leaving a couple hundred mile radius, the most understudied historical figures in the world, who alive today will be studied throughout history, and more.

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Read the essay: 'Courage'

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I read 'Courage' - a short essay by esteemed American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Emerson discusses the three characteristics which elicit respect across mankind, the most important and rare of which is real, genuince courage. He discusses how to cultivate courage and why men revere their courageous fellows so much.

We can all live more courageously; this essay will help you do just that.

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Read the essay: 'Courage'
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Greg Lapin is a former law enforcement officer and government contractor with two decades of experience on SWAT teams, government special operations, and deploying to war zones. He’s a first degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu, the founder of Vida Jiu Jitsu, and currently the head professor of Jiu Jitsu at Field Craft Survival.
 
 We discuss why Greg loves jiu jitsu, why your ability to protect yourself will enhance exponentially when you begin training jiu jitsu, the principles of situational awareness, what to do if someone is following you, how to prepare your car for emergencies, and more.
 
 It was an honor to have Greg on the show.
 
Connect with Greg on Instagram HERE
Checkout Fieldcraft Survival HERE

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I read “The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the Pacific"

Alistair Urquhart was a Scottish born soldier in WW2 who was a prisoner of war under the Imperial Japanese Army for several years. He endured immense suffering working on the Death Railway along the River Kwai, survived a shipwreck followed by several days alone at sea, and was hit by the atomic bomb blast in Nagasaki.

He lived a long and fruitful life, moving on at the age of 97 years old. In this book, he recounts the unfathomable tragedies he endured, how endured them, and how he used those experiences to live a long and rich life.

His is one of the most inspiring stories I've ever read.

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Read the book: “The Forgotten Highlander: An Incredible WWII Story of Survival in the Pacific"

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I read “The 38 Letters From J.D. Rockefeller to His Son: Perspectives, Ideology, and Wisdom”

John D. Rockefeller was born in a poor family with a con artist, bigamist father and became the world's richest man with an estimated network of over $200 Billion in today's currency.

He is a nuanced character with many flaws and many virtues, in this episode we learn from them both. We learn what advice about money, God, life, beliefs, relationships, business, charity, and happiness he deemed important enough to pass on to his son.

We are wise to learn from such a prolific man.

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Read the book: The 38 Letters From J.D. Rockefeller to His Son: Perspectives, Ideology, and Wisdom

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Brad Womack is a blue collar guy who began his career on the oil fields before building a multi-million dollar business with his brother. Brad's blue collar work ethic and mindset along with his business acumen combine for a valuable insights, good stories, and a great conversation.

It was an honor to have Brad on the show.

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In this episode, I go over the highlights and what I learned from reading The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt.

Teddy Roosevelt graduated from Harvard, served as a New York State Assemblyman, a Civil Service Commissioner, a Police Commisioner in New York City, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, Vice President, and President of the United States. TR recieved a Nobel Peace Prize for mediating an end to the Russian and Japanese War, he also posthumously recieved the Medal of Honor for his service in the RoughRider regiment during the Spanish-American War, was instrumental in the Panama Canal's construction, explored uncharted territory in the Amazon, hunted all over the world, was a rancher and cowboy in the Dakota Badlands, and was a happily married husband, father, and member of his community. His life was lived to the fullest. In this episode we will learn how he became a "man of destiny".

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Read the book: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

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Trip Ison is an entrepreneur, speaker, runner, and recovering drug addict.

We discuss when and how Trip’s addiction began and what it was fueled by, the conversation Trip had with God that changed his life, what it feels like to be disgusted with yourself, breaking stigmas, losing 100lbs and racing an IronMan, the role fitness plays in Trip’s sobriety journey, the importance of just putting your shoes on, how the people you surround yourselves with influence your growth or decline, and more.

It was an honor to have Trip on the show.

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