My Modern Myth

Have you ever considered that your life story might be condensed into a simple one or two sentence statement? It may sound implausible, yet that's what we're delving into today; the profound concept of a "life log line". In our engaging chat, we look at how this tool, which has been my personal compass, can empower you to take control of your life's narrative, reminding you of your goals and steering your life journey.Ever noticed how a blockbuster movie is distilled into a single captivating line that mirrors the protagonist's transformation and self-discovery? From popular films, we uncover how a log line encapsulates the essence of a character's journey and the hurdles they grapple with. In a similar vein, we explore the "shadow log lines" of our lives, those negative narratives spun from our fears and insecurities that hinder us from realizing our full potential. But fear not, we also cover strategies to acknowledge and comprehend these destructive thoughts, thus enabling us to author a more empowering story for ourselves.We don't stop there. We dive into the potent strategies for finding motivation, pushing through obstacles, and staying present. We explore how crafting a personal life log line can inspire others, referencing an ex-neo-nazi skinhead striving to prevent his brother from going down the same toxic path. This episode is a journey of introspection, a transformative excavation of our life stories. Tune in, reflect on your life log line, and embrace your individual process of self-discovery and growth. This is more than just a podcast episode—it's an invitation to rewrite your narrative, to take control of your life story.

Ever been stuck in a rut, wondering how to progress in your personal journey, whether it's in jujitsu or life? Together, we're going to tackle that. Using the lens of jujitsu, we explore how the lessons we learn on the mat can be extrapolated to our daily lives, helping us overcome hurdles like panic, doubt and self-shaming. We celebrate the recent blue belt achievement of our fellow jujitsu practitioner, Billy, and draw inspiration from his journey. We also embark on a deep-dive into my own jujitsu journey, discussing the challenges I've faced particularly when combating skilled opponents and my inner struggle with hesitation and uncertainty.Jujitsu is more than just a martial art; it's a mirror reflecting our inner strengths and weaknesses. This episode digs into the concept of progress in jujitsu, which extends beyond belt colors and technical mastery. We're going to talk about the importance of regulating emotions, avoiding self-shaming, and the role of doubt in our growth. In fact, we argue that doubt isn’t always the enemy – it can be your ally, a messenger reminding you to recommit to your path and seek new information. Grab your gi and join us as we celebrate progress, illuminate the path to growth, and learn how to harness the power of doubt.

Building a solid foundation of competency leads to mastery. Even if it doesn't lead to mastery, the competency we gain will add to our confidence and further understanding of who we are at our fundamental core. Join us on the conversation as we discuss how unconscious narratives drive our reaction to our pursuit or avoidance of mastery. We also dive into the odd world of social media metrics that have unfortunately played a roll in many people drive to succeed, and subsequent downfall.

Imagine a life where your day job is not your only identity, but an amalgamation of varied passions that ignite your spirit. This is exactly what we're delving into today. Join us as we explore the essential role these passions play in creating a balanced and meaningful life, by sharing personal tales about our love for jujitsu, music, and the dance between active and passive engagement. We'll also dive into the concept of "core connectors" that serve as a reflection of our fundamental selves, keeping us grounded while we engage in diverse interests. I'll be shedding some light on my own journey towards self-discovery, the raw authenticity, vulnerability, and continual exploration involved in my own pursuits. My life-long passion for questioning my understanding of self and my burning desire to leave a lasting legacy is universal if we look within ourselves. This episode seeks to impress upon you the significance of staying loyal to your passions and how they can ultimately shape your legacy. So, tune in and let us journey together through the exciting world of passions beyond vocation.

In today's Episode, I reflect on the completion of my first year of Jiu-Jitsu. I ended this first year by turning 40, placing 2nd in a tournament, with two stripes on my white belt, and a whole lot of life lessons and new friends. So join me on a deep dive into this last year of lessons!

It's no secret that stress and strong emotion can bring up so terrible response trees in us. So, in this episode, I wanted to talk about a concept I developed called "Emotional Chasers." Just like a shot of whiskey, strong emotions can burn and keep us from seeing things clearly. So we take a chaser to help it go down smooth. Thinks like exercise and conversation are two such chasers. Utilizing them gives us  the chance to take ownership of what's ours to own and understand how to re-engage with the inciting incident. So join Adam and I for a deep dive into this topic!How do our emotions shape our lives? How do they impact our actions, our relationships, and ultimately, our journey of self-discovery and growth? As we embark on an exploration of these questions, we uncover the intriguing concept of emotional chasers and their role in our inner work and self-actualization. Your hosts, Adam and Eric, invite you to join us on this fascinating journey. We'll share insights and personal experiences on how our emotions can become stuck and the parallels between using chasers for alcohol and using them for our emotions. Let's delve into the impact of destructive terminology and how we can transcend and heal our emotions. As we approach the milestone age of 40, we reflect on how our experiences in our 20s and 30s shape our actions and decisions. We’ll also touch upon the intriguing relationship between emotional constriction and seemingly unrelated actions like singing and crying.While each of our emotional journeys is unique, the power of community, exercise, and meditation can be transformative tools for all of us. We'll share how these tools can help us gain perspective, find peace during challenging times, and even recover from addiction. Let's explore the delicate balance between offense and sensitivity in our society and how changing cultural norms have influenced this balance. We'll also examine the impact of emotional chasers on our interactions with others, and discuss the importance of understanding and controlling our emotions for healthier relationships. So, buckle up for an episode packed with thought-provoking discussions, meaningful insights, and real-life experiences, all aimed at helping us navigate our emotional journeys with more awareness and understanding.

Imagine a moment when you're on the brink of a major breakthrough, but you're blind to it because no one's around to tell you how close you are. We often find ourselves in this situation in life, not realizing that the next step, the slightest angle adjustment, could be all that's needed to reach our goals. I'm Eric Beech, your host, and today we'll unlock the hidden lessons about resilience, motivation, and personal growth that are often concealed in these small adjustments we make on our life's journey. In the latter part of our discussion, I reveal my personal experiences with finding healthy distractions that have served as catalysts in my journey of personal growth. I'll share with you how steering my passion for Jiu Jitsu and drumming helped me cultivate a resilient mindset and overcome life's challenges. These activities became more than just hobbies; they were my outlets for stress and helped me regain focus and strength. We'll discuss how you too can find your own healthy distractions and utilize them to step back, reenergize, and rewrite your life's narrative with resilience and empowerment. So, let's together embark on this journey of discovering growth, resilience, and the power of healthy distractions.

Have you ever thought about the connection between your mind and body, and how they together shape your life story? Through my journey of practicing Jiu Jitsu for a year, I have embarked on a path of continuous self-improvement and growth. The beauty of Jiu Jitsu is that it's not about being good instantly; it's about pushing through challenges, learning from mistakes, and truly understanding your body's movements. It's about meeting your own expectations of self-improvement, rather than succumbing to external pressures of perceived perfection.In this reflective episode, I draw parallels between Jiu Jitsu and emotional health, emphasizing the need for pressure testing, reflecting, and accepting criticism. I delve deeper into the importance of integrating new information and maintaining a balance between ambition and complacency. The journey might be marked with repeated failures, but remember, every stumble is a step towards learning and growth. So, let's embrace this journey together, connect our minds and bodies, and write the best life story we possibly can.

Does the idea of a personal rebranding excite you? Are you prepared to take control of your narrative and change your life? We've got an inspiring episode that walks you through this transformative journey. In our conversation, we've highlighted the power of lighting and outsourcing as potent tools for communication. We've shared our personal rebranding steps, derived from self-development practices and learning. We've emphasized the fact that rebranding isn't a failure but an essential pivot, backed by self-awareness and goal setting.We've also delved deeply into the art of mastery, underscoring the importance of finding balance through experimentation and iteration. Grasping the transient nature of passions, we've explored how to maintain fulfillment by engaging in a variety of activities. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we discuss the concept of endurance and its vital role in achieving our goals. We've shared insights on moving away from a timeline mentality, focusing on the foundation of our goals, and using metrics to stay motivated and on track.This episode also features an enlightening discussion about the pause, pivot, pursue method, a powerful tool for personal growth. We've reflected on the power of sobriety, analyzed our relationship with alcohol, and emphasized the importance of recognizing our strengths. The conversation winds down with an exploration of the potential for life-altering transformations. So, buckle up for a captivating ride into the world of personal development and prepare for an episode that will inspire you to take charge of your narrative and embark on a transformative journey.00:00:10 Navigating Personal Rebranding and Forward Movement00:03:26 Self-Reflection for Mastery and Rebranding00:07:45 The Importance of Fundamentals and Connection00:21:21 Progress and Adaptability in Pursuing Goals 00:26:23 The Importance of Pause, Pivot, Pursue 00:35:44 Being a High Achiever's Power 00:43:20 Growth and Repeating for Personal Development 00:50:38 The Importance of Self-Discovery and Growth

How often do you step back to ponder on the power of community, the dynamics of competitiveness, and the true definition of success? Get ready for an insightful conversation with Eric Hill, the co-founder of Project Echelon, a trailblazing initiative that bridges the gap between civilians and veterans. Eric and I pull back the curtain on the inception of this organization, the unique connection between our competitive natures, and the philosophy that sparked the foundation of Project Echelon.Our discourse takes a deep dive into the domain of competitiveness, highlighting the fine line between ambitious pursuits and self-destruction. We share our perspectives on fostering a healthy competitive spirit, the evolution of our competitive identity, and the art of setting goals that align with reality. Transitioning to the realm of sports, we delve into the importance of maintaining our personal identities and discuss motivation strategies that hinge on incremental milestones.Drawing our conversation to a close, we shine a light on the significance of community, shared suffering, and the role of endurance sports in fostering deep connections. We delve into the transformative power of cycling and jujitsu, and their ability to pave the way for meaningful connections. So, brace yourself for a journey that not only unravels the story of Project Echelon, but also offers a unique perspective on personal growth, service, and the pursuit of a purposeful life.

We all have limits and we've all been told to push beyond them. But, when do we know we've found a limit we shouldn't push past? This episode centers around this concept and how I find, push, and listen in Jiu-Jitsu. It's an evolving process, one we all need to understand if we want to keep growing. Growth after all, is one of the two needs of the spirit. So join me and see if there are limits in your life you need to push past!

Ever wondered how fictional characters reflect different aspects of masculine and feminine energies? Today, we embark on an exciting exploration of how characters from popular culture embody the archetypes of the king, the warrior, the magician, and the lover. From Indiana Jones, my personal icon for the magician archetype, to Ted Lasso, the quintessential lover, we shed light on how these characters can serve as valuable resources for understanding our own identity and aspirations.We take a closer look at Ted Lasso, a character that perfectly encapsulates the lover archetype. We dissect his journey, highlighting how he uses creativity, compassion, and connection to create a heroic arc, despite the pitfalls that arise from embodying this misunderstood archetype. Delving further, we discuss the vital role of the lover archetype and its connection to the warrior, king, and magician archetypes.Switching gears, we discuss engaging characters like Magnum PI, James Frazier from Outlander, and Kratos from God of War. We scrutinize their strength, courage, and measured approach to decision-making, characteristics that underline the warrior archetype. We also emphasize the importance of consciously training the mind and body, shifting our vision, and achieving balance to make meaningful things happen in life. Join us as we weave psychology, storytelling, and personal reflection into an insightful exploration of masculine archetypes and personal icons.

Ever feel like you're not making forward progress? What if I told you that every stumble, every fall, is actually contributing to your growth and mastery? I've found that not only can we approach the same goal from different angles, but also the journey of learning is filled with valuable lessons we often overlook. Each failure is not wasted time but an opportunity to learn, and each acquired skill adds another tool to our metaphorical toolbox, ready to be used in life.How about finding your tribe, the people who not only share your interests but also your drive towards personal growth? Through sports, particularly Jiu-Jitsu, finding a community of like-minded individuals can be a major source of motivation and inspiration. It's this collective spirit that keeps us going, even when the going gets tough. I'd like to encourage you, as much as I remind myself, that the struggle, the hardships, they're all a part of our growth. Let's not just focus on the destination but take the time to appreciate the journey. Because, in the end, it's the journey that shapes us. So, join me as we navigate the path to growth and mastery, using life lessons from sport to fuel our drive towards personal betterment.

Ever felt your body screaming at you to slow down during a Jiu-Jitsu class? Ever thought there must be a better way to learn than just brute force? I'm here to tell you that there is - and it involves understanding your body and learning the art of balance. Join me as I share my personal experiences of burnout and injury, and how I learned to avoid 'spazzing' or improvising without a destination. I delve into the importance of resting in uncertainty, and how this is crucial to making progress in Jiu-Jitsu.

Why was I excited to stare at my lack of skill at Jiu-Jitsu last night? Well, it's because I've discovered an unconventional key to growth - laughing at my failures. This episode unwraps the unexpected lesson I learned on the mats. I'll unveil the transformative power of pausing, pivoting, and pursuing, an approach I've developed from stumbling and falling, and rising again in Jiu Jitsu and life. This episode is designed to transform your perspective on failure and equip you with the mindset to turn every setback into a stepping stone.Ever been stuck in the throes of a difficult situation, struggling, and thinking you've reached a dead end? You're not alone. I've been there, in the arena, wrestling with failure. And I'm here to tell you - it's not the end, it's the beginning of a new chapter of growth. This episode dives into how we can identify our weaknesses, accept them, and use them as a springboard for learning and improvement. We'll explore how seeking help can amplify our skills and transform our failures into opportunities. So join me, as we laugh at our failures, learn from them, and use them as stepping stones towards growth. Let's redefine failure together!

Ever been jittery about getting back on the mat? Join me as I reflect on the nerves of returning to Jiu-Jitsu and the high fallout rate in the sport. Through my own journey, I seek to share an engaging way to track progress and the exciting potential for growth that hides behind your nerves. The key, I found, is to continually redefine our 'why' in the sport as we evolve. So, lets talk about the thrill of stepping back into class and the sheer joy of being part of this transformative sport. Remember the first time you proved your mettle in Jiu-Jitsu? I did it to validate my toughness. Training with diverse practitioners taught me the power of control and the relentless drive to be the best. I share my newfound passion and the important lessons learned, including the significance of finding a purpose for our training. I share my thoughts on how to pivot when we hit roadblocks, find new paths, and foster a community that supports fellow practitioners. Join me in this incredible adventure of learning, transforming, and making Jiu-Jitsu a sustainable passion.

Ever felt stuck in a narrative that never changes? It's time to break free. Today's conversation centers on how the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives and how acknowledging, understanding, and rewriting our negative self-talk can enable personal growth. We're peeling back the layers of discomfort and vulnerability, examining their integral role in our transformation journeys, and suggesting small, achievable steps towards big life changes.Turning the spotlight on social media, we ponder its impact on our perceived self-worth and wrestle with the algorithms' ability to skew our narratives. We discuss how to navigate these platforms, hold onto authenticity, and channel our unique voices to create impactful stories. And we promise, it's not all heavy; there's room for laughter and humility in our narratives too. So sit back, tune in and let's rewrite our stories for the better.

Ever felt like the process of learning a new skill mimics the stages of grief? How does grappling with an armbar sequence correlate to our response to life's unmet expectations? This episode is all about that and more. We'll take a deep dive into the essence of skill acquisition. It's a journey, one filled with patience, dedication, and acceptance of frustration. And here's the kicker - sports like jujitsu aren't just about physical strength; they also serve as invaluable tools for personal growth, readying our minds for life's endless hurdles.We'll examine the intricate process of skill mastery and grappling with frustration. This triumph goes beyond jujitsu - it's a testament to the power of dedication, patience, and acceptance in our quest for growth. So, whether you're a jujitsu enthusiast or just someone seeking personal development, this episode promises to be a rewarding listen.

Today we hear the story of Alex Hamp and how he's building his kingdom in family, BJJ, and business. Alex represents a class of Warrior Kings from a Jungian perspective, a vital breed of man. I believe it's important to hear from men that speak from compassion as well as men who will kick you in the ass a bit! As a Lover Warrior, Alex and I may approach life from a different perspective, but ultimately agree on what matters in life. So often we fail to hear from people who see through a different lens and never get to discover how similar we are because our hearts and ears are shut. Enjoy the episode!0:00   Intro1:30 From drumming for War of Ages to Jiu-jitsu7:20 Why Alex messaged me11:14 Alex's approach to BJJ and what matters14:08 Alex as a parent to his elite BJJ seven year old son27:00 What is a man and the fight within35:00 How Alex uses ranked rolls for different purposes44:00 Alex's competition mental shift49:50 Kingdom building at home and in business57:00 CBD, cannabis, and Seek to do More

Masculinity has been a topic of great interest in my own journey. I've learned a lot about my connection to it and some recent public discussions made me feel this was a good topic for Adam and I to discuss. We attack this topic from a perspective of masculinity separate from sex and apply it as an energy. We also discuss femininity in the same way to bring in how this dynamic plays out in everybody in different balances.0:00  Intro5:00 Non-traditional life and discomfort around masculinity17:30 We aren't wolves and the pendulum continues to swing25:50 How generations shift based on environment and following your bliss37:00 Not watching the news44:00 Outro