In This Week’s Episode…

Those of you who attended WC3 in December 2018 will no doubt remember Dan Cerrillo, Coach Sam’s special guest on today’s show. Dan, aka Taco is not only a brother and a mentor, but he is also a friend to the Warrior community. In this very special episode, Dan shares stories of heartbreak, triumph, sadness, betrayal, grief, and happiness. We learn what ultimately saved his life and what he is so passionate about doing for the rest of his life.

* Be the Man Challenge, an adventure that will take you through six weeks of self-discovery and introduce you to some of the conversations and belief systems inside of the Warrior’s Way. betheman.com

Parable #1: WC3

• During WC3, Dan went on stage to raise money for the Navy Seals Fund. It was in front of that room filled with hundreds of men that he admitted to having a problem and that he was seeking the help he needed.
• “I have spent my whole life teaching others, but I was slowly losing what I had gained. I had been experiencing a lot of success and failure, but at that time, things were falling apart in my business and personal life. On top of that, I had gone from being a weekend drinker to an everyday drinker, barely able to hold down a job.”

QUESTION

Where in your world do you know it’s time to seek help?

 

Parable #2:  The Pit

• Through tragedy and betrayal, Dan found himself trying to climb his way out of a pit. There were warning signs all around him, yet he didn’t heed or listen to them. News of his wife’s illness sent him over the edge. He had always been a weekend drinker, but now he started drinking every day of the week.
• “I become angry and depressed. Everything I was telling others NOT to do, I was doing. I had created this persona that I was better than everyone. Yet, I wasn’t doing anything I was preaching. For the first time, I understood why others commit suicide. I felt my family would be better off without me.”

QUESTION

What are the signs and messages you’re ignoring in your life?

Parable #3: I Am a Drunk

• Once Dan admitted to the doctors that he had a problem, they concurred. “Your eyes are dead, and you’re bloated. You got turned on in the military, but nobody turned you off.” Dan found himself in a rented van on his way to Mexico to receive therapy & treatment, feeling so ashamed. He wondered how in the world he had gotten to this place in life.
• “In the military, the plan is simple and straight forward: we’re going to mess people up, we’re going to be the aggressor, and we’re going to win. Once it’s over, you then try to assimilate back into civilian life to be the ‘normal’ dude who isn’t talking about killing people. In 36 hours of treatment, I went from “why me” to “ok, this is the way it is,” to “thank you,” and then the final phase of forgiveness. For the first time, my brain was free.”

QUESTION

For help and more information, click on this link.

Parable #4: Trauma & Emotions

• Dan used to believe he had PTSD from the war and scoffed at the idea of “mommy and daddy issues.” He now knows those are real issues; that childhood trauma is real. He experienced trauma as a child and as an adult, and then found himself inflicting trauma on his own family.
• “When you go to war and do horrible things, if you don’t get that out of your soul, it will crush you. We’re told to suck it up and push all the emotions down. But men NEED to express their emotions. If you suck it up too long and push it down too deep, you will drink it away, rage it away, and snort it away. “

QUESTION

What are the patterns & behaviors you tend to repeat that aren’t serving you or your loved ones? What are you doing to change them?

 

Parable #5: Life Sans Drama

• Dan lives by a phrase he was once taught: make seven people smile each day. “I used to be known as ‘Taco,’ the guy who would throw and smash things, the guy with a constant frown on his face, and the road rage guy who would follow people home. Taco is now the character I bring out during training sessions, but I used to be him ALL the time.”
• “Today, at 46, my life is so peaceful & calm. I listen to classical music while I’m driving, and if someone cuts me off, I don’t care. If I only live for 20 more years, who am I going to be? I’m going to be the dude I have always wanted to be: the guy who takes care of everybody around me; the guy who wants happiness throughout life.”

QUESTION

What adjective best describes your current attitude toward people and life?

 

* Be the Man Challenge, an adventure that will take you through six weeks of self-discovery and introduce you to some of the conversations and belief systems inside of the Warrior’s Way. betheman.com

Parables from the Pit

“3 1/2 years ago, Garrett asked you to come train with us. There was an instant connection. Out of all the training from you, what impresses me are the thousands of lives you have impacted, including mine."

—Sam Falsafi

“Simplify your life to what really matters."

–Dan Cerrillo