Season 5 | Episode 2 A Conversation with Mark Aylward: Frameworks, Identity, and the Work of Becoming Self-Aware

Episode Overview

In this second episode of a three-part Season 5 series, Mark Aylward takes the guest seat as co-host Jim Gurulé interviews him on his background, lived experience, and the frameworks that underpin the Imperfect Men's Club philosophy.

The conversation revisits the origins of the IMC framework, often referred to as the Wheel of Life or Flywheel, and explores how self-awareness, subconscious belief systems, and life domains like money, relationships, ideology, well-being, and profession shape how men show up in the world.

This episode lays the groundwork for the advisory and coaching services Mark and Jim will soon offer, helping listeners understand not just what the framework is, but how Mark applies it in real life and real work.

Key Themes & Topics

1. The Power of Frameworks

• Why structure creates clarity instead of limitation

• How the IMC framework evolved from a whiteboard into a daily operating system

• The role frameworks play in decision-making, awareness, and growth

2. Conscious vs. Subconscious Behavior

• Why roughly 95% of human behavior is driven subconsciously

• How early-life beliefs continue to influence adult behavior

• The role of breathwork, visualization, language, and repetition in reshaping belief systems

3. The Five Areas of the IMC Flywheel Each domain is explored through Mark's lived experience:

Money

• Scarcity vs. abundance mindsets

• How childhood conditioning shapes financial behavior

• Lessons from building wealth, losing it, and rebuilding again

Relationships

• Male and female relationship dynamics

• Fatherhood, marriage, divorce, and long-term partnership

• Why differences between men and women are strengths, not problems

Role View (Identity & Upbringing)

• How childhood, geography, culture, and religion shape identity

• The long-term impact of heritage and early environment

Ideology & Worldview

• Politics as identity vs. politics as perspective

• The importance of civil disagreement

• Self-awareness as the antidote to ideological rigidity

Well-Being

• Physical health, mental health, and emotional regulation

• Lifestyle choices vs. over-medication

• Meditation, breathwork, movement, and personal responsibility

Profession

• A lifetime in recruiting, leadership, and advisory roles

• How professional identity intersects with every other life domain

• Why most career struggles are not actually about skills

Notable Takeaways

• Self-awareness is the foundation of all growth

• Most limitations are inherited, not chosen

• Alignment across life domains matters more than optimization

• Men don't need more motivation, they need better frameworks

• The goal isn't perfection, it's understanding how you actually work

Who This Episode Is For

• Men navigating career transitions or personal upheaval

• Anyone questioning long-held beliefs about money, success, or identity

• Listeners curious about the science behind behavior and decision-making

• Those considering coaching or advisory work with Mark or Jim

What's Next

• Episode 1: The IMC Framework and Its Origins

• Episode 2: Mark Aylward's Story and Perspective (this episode)

• Episode 3: Jim Gurulé's Story and Approach

Together, these three episodes offer a complete picture of the Imperfect Men's Club philosophy and how each co-host brings a distinct, complementary perspective to the work.