Most People Will Disagree With Me On This…

Most people will tell young men in their late teens and early 20s to figure out their purpose, start grinding, and build wealth as fast as possible. I disagree.

Yes, purpose and financial stability matter. But what matters more at that stage of life is cultivating depth — the kind of depth that comes from real experience, embodied wisdom, and a connection to something greater than yourself.

Because here’s the truth: If you chase wealth without depth, you will spend your life chasing. You might build an empire, but it won’t fulfill you. You might accumulate status, but it won’t bring meaning.

But when you cultivate wisdom first—when you prioritize self-mastery, presence, and the ability to track life with clarity—abundance follows. Not just financial abundance, but a wealth of purpose, relationships, and impact.

How I Built Depth First

At 22, I stepped into my first men’s retreat—not knowing that it would alter the course of my life forever.

For the next 15 years, I sat in weekly men’s circles, forging myself in the fire of accountability, challenge, and deep brotherhood.

I attended a highly experiential Buddhist university, Naropa University, studying Contemplative Psychology. That was a place where I wasn’t just reading books—I was being remade from the inside out. My mind, my heart, my spirit—all stripped down and rebuilt through meditation, embodiment, and deep inner work.

Beyond that? I was immersed in personal growth.

For an entire decade, I attended some form of a retreat, training, or workshop at least once a month. Those deep, transformational experiences that forged me into the man I am today.

But one of the biggest teachers of all?Travel.

Why Every Young Man Should Travel

There is no substitute for exposing yourself to new places, new people, and new ways of thinking.

Travel humbles you. It forces you out of your comfort zone. It challenges your assumptions about the world and shows you just how much is possible.

I’ve traveled across the world, meeting people from vastly different backgrounds, learning from cultures that approach life in completely different ways. And every time, I walked away wiser, more open, and more capable of seeing possibility where I once saw limitation.

- You realize how much bigger life is than your small corner of the world.

- You see firsthand that there are infinite ways to live, love, and work.

- You develop adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate the unknown.

And most importantly? You expand your spirit.

The world is not just a playground—it is a teacher.

And if you are serious about becoming a man of depth, you must let yourself be shaped by it.

The Path of the Warrior Monk

There’s a reason the greatest warriors in history—whether samurai, monks, or tribal leaders—spent years training before they ever led men or built anything of significance.

Before a man can build his empire, he must first master himself.

The Warrior Monk is the man who chooses depth before dominance. He seeks strength, but not for the sake of conquest. He sharpens his mind, but not to manipulate. He hones his body, but not to intimidate.

His first battle is always within himself.

- The battle to face his own shadows.

- The battle to strengthen his mind, body, and spirit.

- The battle to become a man of depth, trustworthiness, and wisdom.

But modern culture has lost this. Young men today are being told to build an empire before they’ve become the kind of man who can hold one. And so they chase money, status, and power without the foundation of depth.

And this is why so many men—men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s—wake up one day feeling empty. They have the money. The success. The house. But they lack meaning, purpose, and real power.

A true leader builds an empire that lasts. But that empire is first built within himself.

Depth First, Empire Later

So if you’re in your 20s and you feel lost—like you don’t have your purpose locked in yet, like you don’t have it all figured out—that’s okay. That’s part of the path.

What you should be doing instead is deepening yourself:

- Seek out mentorship from wise men who have walked the path before you.

- Train your body so that you carry strength and presence in the world.

- Learn to be with discomfort — emotionally, physically, spiritually.

- Build discipline and a warrior’s heart before chasing an empire.

- Surround yourself with men who challenge and support you to be better.

- See the world. Travel. Let life shape you.

This is the work we do inside my Virtual Men’s Group and 1:1 Coaching.

⚔️ We don’t just talk about purpose—we *embody* it.

🌿 We don’t chase success—we cultivate depth so that success follows.

🔥 If you’re ready to step into a wiser, more powerful version of yourself, join us.

Drop into the Virtual Men’s Group for $40.

Twice a month. Live on Zoom.

Or work with me 1:1 if you’re ready for something bigger.