HAL ELROD | Unwavering Faith + Extraordinary Effort is Unstoppable

We’re all tempted, at times, to allow our ego to get the better of us. Many of us feel like we’re on top of the world until the precise time we find ourselves on the bottom of it. My guest today, Aaron Hale, found himself in just that scenario as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal tech on a routine assignment when he was blown up by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that caused him to lose sight and, later, his hearing. Today, we talk about the fear of being stuck, gratitude for our struggles and adversities, overcoming our greatest fears, how positivity and negativity are infectious, and how you can re-size your ego or have it re-sized for you. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:15 - Aaron's Military Background and Injury 01:10 - Details of the IED Incident 02:04 - Injuries Sustained from the Explosion 04:36 - Medical Evacuation and Tom Cruise Encounter 06:34 - Recovery at Walter Reed 08:31 - Realization of Permanent Blindness 09:20 - Mental State Post-Injury 11:12 - Family Support During Recovery 13:11 - Connecting with Fellow Injured Veterans 17:01 - Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts 19:46 - Adapting to Sensory Loss 21:30 - Battle with Bacterial Meningitis 25:17 - Inspiration from Eric Weihenmayer 26:58 - Transition to Running and Physical Challenges 30:49 - Learning to Run Blind 34:47 - Running Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon 40:34 - Experiencing Runs Without Sight 42:45 - Building Trust with Guides 44:45 - Loss of Balance and Adaptation 51:22 - Mastering the Art of Falling 52:13 - Future Goals and Ventures 54:02 - Launching Point of Impact Podcast 56:13 - Gratitude for Life’s Challenges 58:19 - Closing Thoughts and Appreciation   Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

29 Jul 1h 5min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler tackles the overwhelming stress men face in their roles as providers and protectors. He offers five practical strategies to manage stress effectively, emphasizing personal responsibility over societal expectations. Michler encourages men to identify stress triggers, eliminate distractions, prioritize health, break monotonous routines, and adjust life's tempo without losing direction.  Through actionable advice and personal insights, he empowers listeners to reduce stress and enhance performance, ensuring they can serve their families and communities without crumbling under pressure. Join the conversation at facebook.com/groups/orderofman. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction to Stress and Masculinity 02:04 - Overview of Five Tips 04:18 - Tip 1: Identify the Root of Stress 06:34 - Tip 2A: Remove Stressors 09:01 - Tip 2B: Eliminate Distractions 11:28 - Tip 3: Prioritize Mental, Emotional, and Physical Health 16:05 - Tip 4: Mix Up Your Routine 18:27 - Tip 5: Change Tempo, Not Direction 20:48 - Recap and Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

25 Jul 24min

In this "Ask Me Anything" episode, Ryan Michler and Kipp Sorensen dive into listener questions, exploring themes of faith, letting go, and pursuing purpose. They discuss building male camaraderie through action, overcoming overthinking, and embracing "I don't know" to find peace. From marathon training insights to serving others and knowing when to offer empathy versus tough love, this episode offers practical wisdom for men striving to live with intention. Join the Iron Council brotherhood at orderofman.com for more. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction and Catching Up 05:29 - Strengthening Faith and Prayer 12:39 - Marathon Training Insights 16:44 - Letting Go and Overcoming Overthinking 30:39 - Defining a Life Well-Lived 36:25 - Going All-In on Order of Man 46:07 - Empathy vs. Tough Love in Leadership 53:54 - Reincarnation Animal Discussion 57:19 - Battle Planner and Closing Thoughts   Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

23 Jul 59min

We’re all well-aware of the stigma associated with men’s mental health. Men are often told overtly or covertly to be just be quiet, do your job, and get your work done. And, while there is certainly some validity to us getting the job done when people are relying on us, it’s also valid to consider the mental and emotional battles we often fight as men. Today, I am joined by retired Green Beret, Nick O’Kelly to talk about his time in service the mental and emotional anguish he faced, and what he’s done to overcome the challenges of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. We talk about how a man begins to confront these issues, finding the balance between bearing down and getting the help we need, how to find teams and avenues of support without feeling weak, and how to confront the stigma (even though we all deal with it) of men’s mental health SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Men's Mental Health Stigma 01:05 - Balancing Pride and Duty 03:12 - Debating Vulnerability 04:27 - Military Career Transitions 06:36 - Family Dynamics and Decisions 09:22 - Managing Career Expectations 11:36 - Spousal Support and Sacrifice 14:36 - Masculine and Feminine Dynamics 18:37 - Expectation Management Challenges 21:23 - Trust in Relationships 25:16 - Decision-Making Struggles 28:26 - Imposter Syndrome in Financial Planning 31:58 - Onset of Mental Health Struggles 37:55 - Consequences of Seeking Help 43:29 - Personal Anxiety Experience 47:32 - Spiritual and Physiological Factors 52:29 - High Achievers and Mental Health 54:16 - Connecting with Nick's Work Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

22 Jul 1h 2min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler shares an inspiring message about becoming the person you aspire to be through consistent action. Reflecting on his adventures, from Alaska to Africa, he emphasizes that small, daily habits shape identity and success. Michler addresses overcoming setbacks like divorce or financial struggles, urging listeners to combat imposter syndrome and act now. He breaks down practical steps across four key areas—calibration, connection, condition, and contribution—to live with purpose and achieve goals, encouraging men to take small victories and seek guidance to expedite progress. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:03 - Introduction and Reflections on Adventures 02:23 - Overcoming Setbacks and Imposter Syndrome 04:50 - Calibration: Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Health 07:08 - Connection: Building Meaningful Relationships 09:32 - Condition: Prioritizing Physical Health 11:56 - Contribution: Adding Value and Financial Wisdom 14:22 - Celebrating Small Wins and Staying Consistent 16:39 - Closing Thoughts and Call to Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

18 Jul 17min

In this engaging "Ask Me Anything" episode, Ryan Michler and Shawn Villalovos tackle listener questions on emotional intelligence, co-parenting challenges, manifesting goals, and personal growth. They share practical strategies for managing emotions, setting boundaries in difficult relationships, and taking action to achieve dreams. Reflecting on Ryan’s book Sovereignty, they discuss evolving perspectives on life’s past, present, and future. With personal anecdotes and actionable advice, this episode inspires men to show up authentically and pursue excellence despite life’s challenges. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 01:57 - Emotional Intelligence Strategies 22:00 - Navigating Co-Parenting Conflicts 38:15 - The Power of Manifesting Goals 43:36 - Reflecting on Sovereignty’s Past, Present, and Future 55:15 - Aligning Personal Goals with Purpose Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

16 Jul 1h 2min

Considering how often we utilize technology, we don’t spend as nearly as much time as we should protecting ourselves against the inherent vulnerabilities and bad actors who would exploit the very tools designed to improve our lives. The fact of the matter is, cybersecurity has become a huge issue (only to become more relevant as technology advances). My guest today, Dr. Eric Cole, has spent decades learning, understanding, and teaching people how to protect themselves and their loved ones from cyber-threats. Today, we talk about the apps that are more dangerous than others, how best to keep your children safe from online predators, what he calls, cyber-hygiene, why passwords are dead and what to do about it, and why social media will never fully protect children. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Introduction   00:21 - Welcoming Dr. Eric Cole   00:26 - Importance of Cybersecurity for Families   01:24 - Dangers of Sharing Personal Information Online   02:47 - Targeting Vulnerable Individuals   04:26 - Impact of Technology on Parenting   05:45 - Prevalence of Child Exploitation   08:12 - Monitoring Kids' Online Interactions   10:00 - Social Media Security Measures   12:16 - Identifying Suspicious Accounts   15:00 - Limiting Kids' Access to Smartphones   19:09 - Balancing Technology Use   22:32 - Monitoring Social Media Comments   26:00 - Risks of Location Tracking in Photos   30:06 - Moving Beyond Passwords   32:31 - Avoiding Malicious Links   35:13 - Value of Online Protection Services   37:51 - Cell Phones and Privacy Concerns   43:03 - Importance of Software Updates   45:20 - Benefits of Using VPNs   46:43 - Upgrading Technology Safely   49:20 - AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement   52:43 - Practical Cybersecurity Tips   54:24 - Closing Remarks   Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

15 Jul 1h 1min

In this episode of Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler explores how men can embrace calculated risks to achieve success in relationships, health, wealth, and quality of life. He shares five actionable strategies—defining your vision, measuring risk versus reward, hedging bets, conducting a SWOT analysis, and seeking coaching—to ensure risks are prudent and aligned with personal goals. Michler emphasizes preparation and intentionality to minimize threats and maximize opportunities, urging men to act boldly yet wisely. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 - Episode Introduction 00:26 - The Importance of Calculated Risks 02:10 - Know What You Want 03:52 - Measure Risk vs. Reward 06:11 - Hedge Your Bets 10:39 - Avoid Complacency 13:00 - Conduct a SWOT Analysis 15:24 - Seek Coaching 17:45 - Connect and Take Action Battle Planners: Pick yours up today! Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto. For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood. Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

11 Jul 20min