Awakening the Warrior Within

My journey through the realms of retail and training spans over 25 years. A dozen years ago, I embarked on a venture that was destined to fail, but it wasn't just the collapse of a business; it was a profound trauma that enveloped my family and me. We transitioned from a place of security to a dark abyss of insecurity, a harrowing descent that seemed insurmountable.

I vividly recall the tears, the emotional agony that seemed endless. It persisted for years, casting a relentless shadow over our lives. The backdrop of a struggling economy in 2008 exacerbated our plight. However, the core issue extended beyond economic downturns; it was the absence of crucial resources in my business acumen. Hindsight has a way of illuminating these missing ingredients, but in those trying moments, I was simply navigating life with the tools I possessed. I believed I had a solid grasp of what I was doing and poured my heart and soul into my business ventures. Regrettably, it all soured with startling rapidity.

Forced to re-enter the workforce at a lower echelon than my previous position, we were compelled to sell our possessions at significant losses just to maintain a semblance of cash flow.

But this isn't a narrative about my tribulations; it's a testament to the revelations I uncovered while enduring pain and the world's intimidation. Being an intense individual has both its merits and demerits. Throughout my ordeal, I experimented with various forms of motivation, determined to break through the shroud of despair.

I yelled at God, the elements, and the universe itself. I embarked on long walks, seeking validation for my decisions. It baffled me how someone with extensive training, experience, and an unyielding desire to succeed could still falter. Inside me resided an indomitable spirit, one that refused to surrender. However, I grew weary, desiring nothing more than to remain supine. I had had my fill of feeling like a failure, an eccentric misfit.

At one point, I found myself teetering on the precipice of dark thoughts, inviting the concept of death into my life. Strangely, it held a peculiar allure. Stripped of the fear of death, a remarkable transformation occurred—a shift toward a warrior's mindset.

I decided to adopt this mindset, albeit in a childlike manner, and embraced those who genuinely cared for me while distancing myself from others. I believed I had discovered an easy way out. However, an old adage reverberated within me: "The lion does not concern itself with the opinion of sheep." It wasn't that I considered people as sheep or myself as a lion, but the realization dawned that my concern for others' opinions took precedence over my own self-assessment.

I sought security in external validation, oblivious to the potential within. So, I embarked on a journey of self-training—warrior training. I no longer wished to be led by others; I yearned to lead myself, to chart my path according to my desires. I aspired to unearth secrets that Google couldn't provide, to liberate myself from the internet's diagnosis of my problems. I delved into books, videos, conversations, and rediscovered the importance of authenticity, mending fractured relationships, and confronting the pervasive lies I had told myself.

These lies concealed an underlying truth: fear permeated my existence. Fear of failure, fear of divorce, fear of death—fear gripped me. Yet, I refused to be beholden to fear. I began to view fear as a feeble sheep, ready to transform. I endeavored to lead myself into a warrior's mindset, to overcome practically and sustainably. My goal was to reclaim ownership of my life, to believe in myself, to have faith, and to understand my innermost self.

The warrior within me stirred. Courage coursed through my veins, awakening my limbic system. I started feeling strong, empowered.

And so, I launched another business. Yet, despair returned as quickly as it had left. The tears flowed, and fear whispered, "You tried!" This time, I felt hopeless, rejected by my own mind, my experiences, my life.

How do you escape from within?

I refrained from shouting at God and the universe, opting instead for a long bike ride to the tallest mountain I knew in search of peace. Amid that tranquility, a faint whisper echoed in the recesses of my mind. I questioned my sanity but couldn't dismiss it. The whisper persisted, growing clearer with each iteration until I could no longer ignore it.

"Build a Viking ship."

The idea was as clear as the sky, absurd yet undeniable. It had no connection to my skill set, my business objectives, or my life. Yet, it beckoned with unwavering clarity. The warrior within me demanded belief, my brain urged faith, and my body affirmed that I could do this.

I listened.

Returning home, I shared my newfound mission with my wife. She, better than anyone, knew of my penchant for unusual pursuits. Her response was predictably incredulous. "You've never owned a boat, never sailed, lack the skills and tools, and you don't even know what you'll do with it!"

I had no answers, only a conviction that the ship would somehow be integrated into my corporate training business. Little did I know how profoundly it would alter the course of my life.

Searching for ship plans online proved futile, but that inner warrior voice spoke again: "Draw a picture, order the wood, and start building. They did it a thousand years ago, and so can you." Five days after the mountain epiphany, the wood arrived, and construction began.

I kid you not, 51 days later, I completed the Viking ship.

My world underwent a profound transformation. I encountered remarkable individuals who left an indelible mark on my life. I still meet extraordinary people today, all because of that ship.

My business transformed, my relationships flourished, and most importantly, I transformed. I remained acutely aware throughout the process, discovering facets of life within myself that I had never known existed. I unearthed profound truths about myself and recognized them in others, even if they had not yet realized it. My perspective shifted, and I began to perceive opportunities and devise practical solutions.

I realized the value of emotions and how to manage them, learned to wield my brain as a tool, and developed the ability to discern solutions beyond the problems that surrounded me. These insights coalesced into a program—the Warrior Leadership Program.

In times of adversity, what do we need? A warrior by our side—a steadfast companion when standing is the hardest task.

My transformation encompassed emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental dimensions. I aimed to become a leader, first leading myself to comprehend how to lead others effectively. The program emphasizes innovation and self-trust, empowering individuals to navigate life from a new perspective.

We must be practical, powerful, and insightful. Our journey through this program should leave us forever changed, viewing the world through fresh eyes. We must recognize opportunities and learn to build rather than destroy.

The theory and practice of living, leading, and loving in business have the potential to transform not only individual lives but entire countries and the world. We face incredible challenges on many fronts, and entrepreneurship seems to be the inevitable path for all of us.

The time has come for us to stand tall, to awaken the powerful, creative entrepreneur within. I had a Viking ship within me, a revelation that defied explanation.

What lies dormant within you?