Basecamp for Men E40: Optimizing Your Health

E40: Optimizing Your Health with Mary Purdy

 

E40 Introduction

One of our sub-topics here on Basecamp is health and wellness for men. Many men I know are rethinking health, self-care, and diet. It used to be that men didn’t give these things too much thought. It was actually considered unmanly to speak of taking better care of yourself, of getting proper rest, of having a body that is flexible and feeling, of eating better food. Athletes would consider these because they are more tuned into how they feel. However, everyday men would often skip over these important topics.

With the release of the pro-plant based diet documentary The Game Changers, men are starting to have serious conversations about diet. Especially the pros and cons of a plant-based diet. And I am committed to continue to co-create the narrative with you on men and self-care here on Basecamp for Men.

My hope is that by listening to the show, you gain new perspectives and come away with a few new resources every show. If you are finding new tools that uplift and improve your life and your energy, then I’m serving my mission. Thank you men.

 Mary Purdy Bio-

My guest today is a friend and a nutrition and health expert.

Mary Purdy holds a Master’s Degree from Bastyr University where she is currently a member of the adjunct faculty. She has given over 100 nutrition workshops, speaks regularly at health and nutrition conferences and was the keynote speaker at Bastyr University’s Commencement Ceremony 2019. Additionally, she hosts the podcast THE Nutrition Show (formerly “Mary’s Nutrition Show”) and is author of the book “Serving the Broccoli Gods.”

Here is my interview with Mary Purdy.

 

 

Basecamp for Men E29: Into the Mystic

E29: Into the Mystic with Special Guest Paul Dunion

 

E29 Introduction

I have long been attracted to teachers who aren’t afraid to explore psychological truths. Whether the teacher is considered a spiritual master, a mystic, a therapist,  or someone who can speak from the Soul, my heart has gravitated towards learning that feels deep and timeless.

And anything that runs counter to the shallow, banal, and distracting nature of our culture is like food for the soul. I want to feel that we are all on an adventure together, a collective Hero’s Journey that we all play an important part in.

In all of the wisdom traditions, there has been the talk of an awakening in the human Spirit.

A quickening in our learning. Consciousness seems to be entering a new phase and let’s be thankful for that. As a tribe, we are ripe for new information, new models for problem-solving, and new methods for transcending our habit of creating a sense of separation in the world.

My guest today is a gifted writer and teacher and someone I am excited to introduce to you.

Paul Dunion Bio-

Paul Dunion is the co-founder of Connecticut’s Men’s’ Gathering, a biannual Retreat for men that began in 1992. He is the founder of Boys To Men, a mentoring community for teenage boys. He’s been in private practice as a Psychotherapist for 37 years and is presently a faculty member for Mobius Executive Training.  His blogs can be accessed at the Huffington Post as well as Medium.com.

His next book: Wisdom – Apprenticing To The Unknown & Befriending Fate is due to be released in the summer of 2020.

Basecamp for Men E20: What Death Teaches Us

Mountain scenery

I recently came across a hospice article on the top five regrets that those who are dying have. It got me thinking about death and what it can teach us about life. Here are the top five regrets that those at the end are susceptible to have….

Basecamp for Men E8. The Power of Men’s Groups

E8: The Power of Men’s Groups with Special Guest

Dave Klaus

E8 Introduction

All around the world, every single day, men are gathering in circles. Known as men’s groups, men’s work, or men’s wisdom circles, these groups provide an essential resource to the men who are open enough to seek them out. One of the great gifts of men’s groups is creating environments where men can set their feet on their best path. Men’s groups act as a “basecamp” for the uncertain Hero’s Journey.

What lessons might YOU learn by participating in these circles? You‘ll have your own list. Here are my top five lessons I have learned by growing up inside the men’s movement:
  1. MEN ARE COURAGEOUS. This is something that is important for men to know about themselves. Too many men live their lives in routine and comfort. It can just suck the life out of you. One reason we do men’s work is to access the Hero within to live our most courageous lives.
  2. WHEN IT MATTERS MOST, MEN CAN BE TRUSTED. The more I learn about the real, authentic you, the more I can relate and trust you. When you drop the b.s. and be real with other men, they’ll have your back. I’ve seen it over and over again. Men are incredible!
  3. COLLECTIVE MALE WISDOM IS ALIVE AND WELL. Men have met in circles and counsels since the dawn of man. It‘s in our DNA. When men gather in groups, insights and possibilities arise that simply don‘t surface when men choose to go it alone.
  4. YOU CAN HANDLE HONEST FEEDBACK FROM MEN YOU TRUST. In men’s circles, we learn to give and receive clean feedback that accelerates growth. When feedback is given from the heart, men can hear it and work with it.
  5. LIFE GETS BETTER. When men gather to create powerful groups, life seems to move in a good way. These groups act like a compass for men. It gives you a community that knows you, understands the challenges of manhood, and gives you many opportunities to grow your leadership. Challenges that were depleting your energy are transmuted inside of a masculine circle. The collective feel of the group is that this is making a big difference for me. 

Join Tony and special guest Dave Klaus, editor and writer for On Purpose newsletter, as they talk about the state of masculinity, the value of men’s groups, and share with the listener’s what men‘s groups feel like by doing a traditional “check-in” round for the listeners. Enjoy!

Dave Klaus Bio

Dave is a speaker, writer, community leader, and criminal defense trial lawyer.  He is a skilled facilitator of large and small groups, and has honed these skills in his work with the ManKind Project, and in nearly forty jury trials.  He is an ordained priest with the Hollow Bones Zen Order with a daily meditation and qi gung practice.  His passion is to empower others to find their way to a path of clarity, flexibility, open-hearted connection, and flow in the present moment, so they they may share their gold with the world and effect real change.

E8 Final Thoughts

I really loved speaking with Dave. I feel like him and I could be good friends. It was the first time we did a check-in like we do in the men’s groups and the whole interview had a men’s group sort of feel to it, which is really appropriate for this episode.

I love what Dave said that one of the things he’d like to see from more men is this willingness to be uncomfortable. I agree. If men are willing to step into new environments for learning, such as the men’s weekend and these groups, it grows their capacity to sit  and be present with what is uncomfortable in life. This will always lead to growth and new insights.

And go subscribe to On Purpose Newsletter at https://mkpusa.org/onpurposenews/. Dave is a really good writer and if these topics interest you, you will find this newsletter refreshing in its authenticity.

Basecamp for Men E6: Raise Your Energy

E6: Raise Your Energy with

Special Guest David Carico

 

E6 Introduction

As men, we are measured by society’s old narrative by how much we DO. And we have become really good at DOING THINGS but we have not been taught the value of slowing down. The old narrative says if we slow down, we might fall behind. Is this really true? As men with inner power, do we really not have time for ourselves? It‘s an interesting assumption, isn’t it?

Almost every man I know, myself included, could benefit from more slow time or Soul time. I have three favorite ways of slowing down and I share them with you in this episode. All three of these approaches has a deeply restorative effect on my mind, body, and spirit.

I know some men who use fishing or nature hikes as a way to enter this space. The point is for you to find yours. Sometimes men will decompress by fiddling with their phones or watching TV. I would counsel you to take a look at some other, more mindful approaches. Doing so will bring your energy and self-care up several notches. Try it out for yourself and see and, as usual, I will leave resources for you at the end of the show.

David Carico Bio

David Carico has been practicing Continuum for more than twenty years. He has been a long-time pupil of master Continuum teacher Beth Pettingill-Riley, a good friend of mine. David has been a facilitator and small group leader within the Breaththrough Men’s Community for many years helping men to examine issues of childhood trauma, gender conditioning, and social oppression.   David is a lawyer, handling appeals in civil and criminal cases for 35 years, a father of two successful adult women and a recent grandfather.

E6 Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed my conversation with David and I hope you found it valuable as well. I appreciate the insights and thoughtfulness that David brings to important issues for men. And he really embodies the wisdom that comes from finding time to slow down.

So, the end of show resources for you men are as follows: Meditation, you can find a million and one You Tube videos on meditation. You can sit in silence, use mantra or sound, walk through a guided meditation.  There really is a treasure there waiting for you to discover.

If the conversation about SOMATIC MOVEMENT interests you, go to www.ismeta.orgto find a class or teacher near you.  I highly recommend it.