Only the strong... what? Survive, last, win, come out on top? What's the answer?

They all may be true. Only the strong are willing to choose the path of resistance, face exposure, tell the truth, show vulnerability, and have the courage to be all themselves and have peace of mind and heart in doing so.

The definition of strong is different for everyone. Everyone is on a journey in their own lives, and you never really know where on that journey they are. Strong could mean I got out of bed today when I didn't feel like it. Strong could mean I didn't have a drink today. My strong is different than yours, and that's perfect.

If you choose to be strong today, I applaud you. Most won't choose to be strong; most choose to hide, run, lie, and pretend. Be strong today.

Most people today expect massive results in little to no time while putting forth minimal effort; they want to do as little as possible for as short a time as possible, and they still expect big results. Well, life doesn't work like that.

I want to talk about the experience of walking into the headwinds vs. walking with a tailwind. One is clearly easier than the other. Would you choose to walk into the headwind, or would you choose to walk with the tailwinds?

I noticed my physical demeanor on my walk earlier this week when it was pouring rain, strong winds, and raw and cold outside. I left my apartment, took a left, and said to myself, "This isn't that bad; it's just raining." Then I turned the corner, straight into the wind. 30 – 40 mph gusts with rain pounding me in the face. Easy was over. My head and eyes were down to the ground. My back hunched and my chest collapsed. My pace slowed and my thoughts went negative.

It didn't last.

Another two turns and I was walking with the tailwind. My head and eyes came up, and I was standing tall with my chest up, shoulders back, and moving with confidence.

It came to me: if this isn't life, I don't know what is. Choosing to walk into the headwind, enduring for a period of time, knowing that within a couple turns, everything can change.

Chris Masiello has built a successful, nearly forty-year career, spanning a variety of nationally recognized businesses in the real estate and financial services sectors, accounting for over two billion in annual sales. He continues to lead a portfolio of successful companies. Chris is also a recognized expert in business and a personal empowerment speaker. News sources such as ABC affiliates, Wall Street Journal, and others frequently seek Chris's insight, and he has received numerous industry achievements including recognition as one of the most influential trend-setting leaders in the real estate and home services industries.

Chris Masiello's links:

Website:  https://chrismasiello.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-masiello-371259108/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.j.masiello/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CJMasiello/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chrismauthor?s=11&t=pC5VCaT5JXeVybP5oETvOg

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BHGRETheMasielloGroup

I am excited to welcome Faust Ruggiero to the show today. Mr. Ruggiero's professional career spans almost 40 years and is diversified and compelling, as he has consistently established new and exciting cutting-edge counseling programs in his pursuit of professional excellence and personal life enhancement. He is a published research author, clinical trainer, and a therapist who has worked in settings that have included clinics for deaf children, prisons, nursing homes, substance abuse centers, inpatient facilities, and as the President of the Community Psychological Center in Bangor, Pennsylvania. In that capacity, he developed the Process Way of Life counseling program, and has developed it into a formal text presented in the Fix Yourself Handbook. On February 1st, 2020, The Fix Yourself Handbook received the Silver Award from The Nonfiction Authors Association. Today we will discuss Mr. Ruggiero's career, what he has learned from it, and his current therapeutic and counseling approaches.

Faust Ruggiero's Links:

Website: www.FaustRuggiero.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/faustinspire

IG: https://www.instagram.com/faustinspire/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaustInspire/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734383003?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

No one's coming to save you. No one's going to do the work for you. No one's going to make the decisions for you. There are times in life where you must be willing to walk alone.

As a 42-year-old man, living in this generation, at this time, in this society, I was destined to fail from the beginning.

I was born into this world where men worked, made money, provided for their families, and were sent out of the home to do this, separated from their wives and children only to come home exhausted and suppressed. Sedation was the only way to survive.

I was a boy raised by a woman, taught to be "a man" by a woman. For generations well before me, this was the way. Up until the time of the Industrial Revolution, men and children worked on the farm together. Then the man was sent away to the city in pursuit of more.

What does it even mean to "be a man"?

(Originally released March 17, 2021.)

In today's episode, I welcome to the show speaker, author, and Master of Success, Daniel Mangena, of DreamWithDan.com and the Do It With Dan podcast. Daniel's mission statement is: "To spearhead an evolutionary uplift in universal consciousness by awakening people to the importance of their Unique Role already encoded within. This deep and often ignored or undervalued passion is defined as their 'Dream'. I want help people really find an alignment with their dream life of abundance, joy, and purpose." We had a great conversation, and I think you will enjoy it and get a lot out of it.

Sunday night, I was laying in bed, and around 11:00, my phone alarm went crazy. I was in a deep sleep, and it jumped me. This happened one more time about 30 minutes later, and I had the same reaction.

You've had those moments too, I'm sure, where you instantly are thrown into the fight or flight response: your heart rate increases, you become hyper-alert, your breathing quickens. It took me hours to get back to sleep.

All I wanted to do was rest, and I found myself waking up Monday morning irritated, short, and angry. Why?

Why was I feeling this way? Was it the fact that my sleep was messed up? Or was it something else?

After spending some quiet time exploring the stories I was telling myself, I found the true source of my anger and irritation had nothing to do with the amber alert.

The lesson is, what's in front of you in the moment is the low hanging fruit you choose to continue to grab rather than going after the root of the problem.

Tell the truth, change your story, change your life.

Time is not your friend. The purpose time has in my life is to steal from me, unless I decide what I'm doing with the time given.

Sunday night this past week, I was lying in bed, and I was thinking about how fast time seems to be moving in my life. Particularly, I was thinking about the Ironman 70.3 race coming up in July, and that it's time to begin training.

I was having a back-and-forth conversation with myself about the commitment, time, and effort I must put in to be ready to perform my best in July.

Then the conversation shifted to why I need to do this and do it now.

This will be my fifth Ironman 70.3 triathlon, and each one has had a different purpose.

This time, my purpose is to build an armor, an armor that protects my heart and my mind. This is the best use of my time because of all the time it will give back to me going forward.

How will you choose to spend your time?