What happens when you walk away from a career that defined you for nearly three decades?

In this raw, funny, and heartfelt episode, Danny reflects on his retirement after 29 years in air traffic control. From emotional goodbyes and epic farewell runway photos to stepping into the unknown, he opens up about the fears, freedom, and fresh starts that come with major life transitions.

With Tyler offering his signature humor and thoughtful insight, and Riley the podcast dog creating chaos, the guys dive deep into what reinvention looks like for men. They discuss the topics of identity, routine, candidly, and finding purpose when structure is absent. Whether it’s jujitsu, helping at-risk youth, or training for the Leadville 100, Danny and Tyler explore what it means to stay grounded when everything is shifting.

They also discuss:

• Danny’s farewell photoshoot on the runway
• The mental load dogs carry (especially while sniffing!)
• Why “third spaces” matter for men and youth
• Leadville 100 and the drive to compete with purpose
• Daily discipline, friendships, and the systems that hold men up

If you're navigating big life changes—or just love hearing two men talk honestly about life, identity, and personal growth—this one’s for you.

Episode 60, the last one of the year.

We didn’t predict this year, not even close. Illness, treatment fog, big life changes, training gaps, and still… the foundation didn’t break.

In this episode, we talk about what it looks like to keep moving when life gets weird, how jiu-jitsu exposes your nervous system, and why “self-rescue” is a skill, not a slogan. We also explore the differences between homeostasis and allostasis, building safety in the face of change, and the quiet power of being surrounded by solid people.

What we cover:

• The weird year nobody could’ve predicted
• Getting sick, ear pain, sinus “Q-tip exorcisms,” and why Danny hates airplane air
• Why jiu-jitsu is mental health, not a hobby
• Coming back after health issues and realizing the room leveled up without you
• Jealousy, pecking order, and staying in a growth mindset
• Homeostasis vs. allostasis, and learning to be safe in change
• “Self-rescue” and why anger isn’t leadership
• How training becomes regulation for dads and sons
• The medical cloud: nausea meds, ATRA, arsenic, and losing your clarity
• Gratitude, community, and the people who showed up when it mattered
• Retirement uncertainty, identity shifts, and learning to celebrate yourself
• Why we’re switching release days to Tuesdays in 2026

Takeaway:

Life isn’t predictable. You don’t need certainty. You need a foundation that holds, people who don’t disappear, and the ability to adapt midstream.

If this episode hit you: share it with a friend who’s quietly carrying a heavy year.

This is one of our rawest conversations to date.
Fresh off a hard night of training, we sit down to talk about everything we’ve been carrying this year—illness, anger, burnout, fear, and the places where friendship gets thin but doesn’t break.

Tyler opens up about the cognitive chaos of round four chemo: losing control of his thoughts, detoxing from ATRA and arsenic, and clawing his way back into clarity. Danny shares the gut-level story of being marked AWOL on Veterans Day after almost 30 years of service, losing a $10,000 bonus, and the three-day emotional tailspin that followed.

We talk about how men often “check the box” in friendship when they’re drowning, how jiu-jitsu becomes a ritual for survival, and why being “lost” isn’t a failure—it’s a season. We also look ahead: what it means to reinvent ourselves, cut the fat, and return to the roots that made this podcast matter.

If you’ve ever felt buried, misunderstood, or mentally fogged out… if you’ve ever carried more than you let anyone see… this one’s for you.

Notable Moments / Timestamps (optional for your episode)

00:05 — Post-training exhaustion meets clarity
06:12 — Tyler’s ATRA detox and the feeling of losing cognitive control
13:40 — Danny’s Veterans Day AWOL story and mental shutdown
33:20 — “Some days you're the hammer, some days you're the nail.”
43:00 — The friendship strain neither of them wanted to admit
56:10 — Blue Belt theory: maybe this is the promotion
1:05:00 — Reinvention, holidays, pressure, and what comes next

In this raw and revealing episode, Danny and Tyler dive headfirst into the chaos and clarity that come with significant life transitions. Tyler opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of cancer treatment, med adjustments, and a Dutch Bros meltdown that ended with a middle finger and a lesson in humility. Meanwhile, Danny drops the bomb—after nearly 30 years, he’s officially retiring from air traffic control.

The guys discuss manhood, pride, public apologies, and the often-awkward journey of striving to do better and be better. From smother taps and eye pokes to flag etiquette and Fight Club alter egos, it’s an episode packed with laughs, lessons, and a whole lot of real.

Whether you’re a man trying to figure it all out—or just someone who loves hearing real talk from real dudes—this one’s for you.

Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in our mission to redefine manhood and mental health.

Life’s been throwing haymakers, but the tank’s not empty. Danny and Tyler catch up after a long break to talk about everything from government chaos and the madness of paper bureaucracy to small-town politics, digital sanity, and staying grounded when life keeps swinging.

They dive deep into No Quarter as a mindset—refusing to give weakness any room to grow—and how acceptance, gratitude, and community can keep you fueled when your mental and emotional tanks run low. Tyler opens up about finishing his final round of cancer treatment and the strange mix of sadness, strength, and new perspective that comes with recovery. Danny shares updates on coaching, fundraising, and the joy of watching young wrestlers grow.

There’s plenty of humor and real-life grit too: dog training disasters, road rage restraint, why Main Street traffic is the ultimate patience test, and how friendship and men’s groups keep them both sane.

This episode also includes a heartfelt dedication to Berlin Birmingham, a reminder to every man out there that you’re not alone.

Shoutouts:
• Salt Electrolytes – solid gear and even better conversations
• Mountain Elite Massage – men’s group collaboration in the works
• ATC Jeremy – out there crushing it on set and in life

For anyone feeling worn down, burnt out, or just trying to keep the wheels turning, this one’s for you. Because even when life hits hard… the gas tank ain’t empty yet.

Life doesn’t slow down, whether you’re traveling, training, or battling cancer. In this episode, Danny and Tyler unpack what it means to keep fighting—on the mats, in fatherhood, and in mental health. From jiu-jitsu fight camps to daily disciplines, they explore how consistency and community shape men into stronger versions of themselves. Expect laughs, deep dives, and a few challenges for listeners to step up in their own lives.

In this episode, Danny and Tyler dive into a raw and real conversation about navigating life’s chaos, from unexpected trips to Mexico to the grind of chemotherapy cycles. Tyler opens up about training jiu-jitsu while on heavy medication, the importance of mental health, and what it means to build a fight camp not just for competition, but for life.

They cover:

• Jiu-Jitsu as therapy – finding clarity and brotherhood on the mats
• Life on (and off) the meds – how treatment impacts energy, mood, and mental resilience
• Men’s mental health – why some fight through and others give up, and how community can change the trajectory
• Consistency & discipline – from 100 push-ups and 200 squats a day to showing up for your kids
• Fatherhood lessons – how to teach discipline, trust, and resilience to sons in a world that doesn’t care about excuses

The guys also share stories about competition, the power of community, and why men need outlets that challenge and shape them. As always, it’s a mix of humor, honesty, and hard-hitting truths about manhood.

In this deeply honest and often funny conversation, Danny and Tyler dive into the idea of the “learning state” — that mental posture of curiosity and humility that keeps us growing as men. They explore how and why many men shut it off, the role ego plays in stunting our growth, and what it actually looks like to turn it back on.

Through personal stories ranging from terrifying tarantula encounters to spreadsheets and pivot tables, they unpack the unexpected lessons that come from unexpected places. Tyler opens up about the mental and emotional challenges of chemo treatment and how certain medications can cloud mood, judgment, and relationships. Danny shares the surprising parallels between learning financial tools, training jiu-jitsu, and maintaining healthy male friendships.

Together, they break down:

• Why staying in a learning mindset is critical for relationships, work, and personal growth
• The difference between boundaries that build connection and boundaries that build walls
• How escalation works in arguments — and why “rules of engagement” matter
• Why asking better questions often matters more than having better answers
• The dangerous habit of giving too many passes and how it builds resentment
• How to navigate friendship and marriage when each person plays by different “rules”

This is a candid conversation that blends real-life struggle, practical takeaways, and a few moments of humor that could only happen between two friends who’ve been through a lot together.

Let’s get real: saying “no” is hard—especially when you’re exhausted, juggling life, health, and expectations. In this raw and no-BS episode, Danny and Tyler crack open what it really means to set boundaries as men. Danny shares his ongoing fight with cancer and how it's forced him to reevaluate everything from weed habits to people-pleasing. The guys dive into what healthy boundaries look like (spoiler: not ghosting, not snapping), why conflict avoidance is killing your peace, and how to stop being a doormat without turning into a jerk.

Also: paddleboard races, reggae jams, and a raffle win you won’t believe. This one’s equal parts gut check and good vibes.

🚧 Boundaries, Baby:

• How to define your “hell no” list (what you won’t accept, no matter what)
• Why saying “no” isn’t rude—it’s survival
• People-pleasing vs. self-respect: drawing the damn line

🧠 Mind Games:

• Rumination loops, mental fatigue, and that voice in your head that won’t shut up
• The difference between avoiding drama and avoiding yourself

🌿 Weed or Crutch?

• Medical marijuana: miracle relief or slippery slope?
• Danny’s honest look at using weed for nausea vs. just zoning out

💔 Family, Farts, and Fights:

• Fighting fair vs. character assassination (and the Gottman rules for not being a jerk)
• Bathroom boundaries, oversharing, and what not to do in a relationship
• Why calling your partner a name might be the beginning of the end

🏄‍♂️ SUP Life:

• Park City SUP throwdown: paddle races, reggae beats, and Danny’s raffle win
• Shoutout to Trent, Carla & the team—organizing a killer event despite mall cop interference

💬 Listener Takeaways:

• Boundaries are like muscles—they only work if you use them
• Say “no” kindly, firmly, and unapologetically
• You can be chill and assertive at the same time
• No one will protect your peace but you