On first glance, Aaron Shields looks like he has it all—rocket scientist turned software leader, gifted musician, dad of six, thriving career. But behind the resume is a man who hit a wall in 2012 that blew up his self-image and set him on a new path: connection coaching and what he calls emotional hygiene.

We talk growing up poor with parents who taught “you can do anything—if you’ll do the work,” the pivot from aerospace to serving people directly, and practical ways men can stop stuffing emotions until they explode. Aaron shares the hardest moment that cracked him open, how he leads at home while a child faces a mysterious illness, and simple release practices (two journals—one to remember, one to burn; throwing a rock loaded with anger across the yard). It’s leadership vs. management, venting vs. processing, and why success = the number of people you serve.

Episode Highlights

• “You can do anything” parenting—and how Aaron applies it with his own kids
• The Sweden rupture: the event that exposed his emotional blind spot
• Career pivots: government aerospace → software → connection coach
• Emotional hygiene: journaling to forget (and burn), somatic release with nature
• Leadership at home under stress: breadwinner pressure without going lone-wolf
• Venting vs. processing: how to unload without dumping on people
• Why success is measured by the people you serve—not the titles you hold

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men’s mental health, emotional hygiene, connection coach, masculinity, leadership vs management, journaling practice, anger release, family under stress, autism parenting, chronic illness, career pivot, rocket scientist, Aaron Shields, Manalizing

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