Why Men Struggle With Emotions and How to Change That

Do you ever look successful on the outside — career intact, responsibilities handled, image polished — but internally feel like you’re barely holding it together?In this episode of Trigger Proof with Mikki Bey, emotional regulation coach Mikki Bey sits down with Marcus CJ Lewis, life coach, speaker, and men’s wellbeing advocate, for one of the rawest conversations yet on addiction, masculinity, identity, and emotional regulation.Marcus shares his journey from high-functioning addiction — including crystal meth, alcohol, and a 30-year porn addiction — to sobriety, self-awareness, and leadership. He opens up about domestic violence, depression, dysregulated parenting, and the moment he calls his “spiritual rock bottom” — a morning that forced him to confront himself and choose change.You’ll hear what emotional regulation actually looks like in real life: grieving old identities, interrupting addictive patterns, managing arousal and impulse, sitting with discomfort instead of escaping it, and learning how to tell yourself “no” without shame.In this conversation, Mikki and Marcus explore:• The hidden face of high-functioning addiction• How dysregulated parenting shapes adult emotional patterns• Why change feels violent — and why that’s part of growth• Addiction as an attempt to self-soothe unresolved pain• The role of identity work in breaking long-term addictive cycles• How emotional regulation helps men master impulse and arousal• Bringing authenticity and spirituality into corporate leadership• Why recovery is about awareness, compassion, and moment-to-moment presenceMarcus also shares practical tools that supported his recovery — journaling, changing environments, breathwork, identity shifts, and learning to sit with emotional discomfort instead of numbing it.If you’ve ever struggled with impulse, addiction, shame, or the pressure to “protect and provide” without support, this episode offers a powerful reminder: emotional regulation isn’t weakness — it’s leadership.Connect with Marcus CJ LewisWebsite: https://marcuscjlewis.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/marcuscjlewisLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcuscjlewisFacebook: https://facebook.com/marcuscjlewisConnect with Mikki BeyDownload Mikki’s Free Emotional Regulation Bundle (ebook, workbook, and masterclass): https://themikkibeygroup.com/inquiryfWebsite: https://www.themikkibeygroup.com/LinkedIn: / mbcmbaInstagram: / getmikkibey