Hector sits down with certified men's coach Damon Mitchell for an unfiltered and enlightening conversation on meditation, masculinity, and the pursuit of wholeness. Damon shares how sobriety and meditation reshaped his identity and gave him the tools to engage more consciously in relationships — not just with others, but with himself. Together, they unpack the shifting roles of men in a post-feminist society, the quiet strength in contemplative practices, and the often unspoken struggles of modern manhood. Whether you’re navigating identity beyond addiction, redefining masculinity, or just looking for a more grounded way to show up in your life — this episode is an open invitation to explore your inner terrain with honesty and humility.

Expect no fluff, just real talk on emotional resilience, self-awareness, and the messy, beautiful work of becoming whole.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - What We Were Never Taught About Being Men
• 00:02:48 - Meeting the Man Behind the Transformation
• 00:03:22 - From Addiction to Awareness: Damon's Turning Point
• 00:03:55 - Why Most Men Can’t Heal Alone
• 00:09:15 - The Practice That Created Space (and Saved Him)
• 00:14:41 - Can Meditation Make You a Better Man?
• 00:20:10 - Masculinity Isn’t Broken — It’s Evolving
• 00:22:55 - The Father Wound and the Pendulum Swing
• 00:24:45 - From Resistance to Reverence: Learning Stillness
• 00:26:09 - What Most Guys Get Wrong About Meditation
• 00:30:51 - Does Meditation Conflict with Religion?
• 00:36:55 - If You’re Just Starting, Start Here
• 00:42:08 - The Invitation: What Kind of Man Are You Becoming?

Links And Resources:

• Free Walking Meditation MP3 with Damon
• The Intentionalize My Life's Website
• Modern Masculinity Podcast Form
• Substack
• Damon on LinkedIn
• Hector Santiesteban on LinkedIn
• Hector Santiesteban on Twitter

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!