Most men think the X Factor - that magnetic presence of strong, capable men - is something you're born with. It's not. It's built through five rules that any man can follow.

In this Friday Field Note, Ryan Michler breaks down the simple, actionable formula that will make you more influential, bold, and courageous - and help you create the life and relationships you want.

The 5 Rules Every Man Must Follow:
Be Strong - build the trifecta: physical, mental, and emotional strength
Be Emotionally Stable - create safety and calm for your family and team
Be Kind - true kindness comes from power, not weakness
Be Discerning - not everyone deserves your time or vulnerability
Be Courageous - take action even when you're scared

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
00:00 - What Is the X Factor?
00:30 - The Myth of the X Factor
02:58 - Rule #1: Be Strong
07:18 - Rule #2: Be Emotionally Stable
11:11 - Rule #3: Be Kind
13:20 - Rule #4: Be Discerning
18:04 - Rule #5: Be Courageous
24:15 - The Iron Council Promo
24:50 - Closing Challenge

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood.

Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

In this week's Ask Me Anything, Kipp and Shawn tackle listener questions from the Iron Council, diving deep into the practices of visualization, breaking mental limits, embracing mentorship, and persevering through pain.

The conversation turns raw as the hosts address loneliness, depression, and how men can build stronger connections through openness and authenticity. This episode reminds us that growth requires action, awareness, and brotherhood. Join Kipp and Shawn as they offer practical and heartfelt wisdom to help men live more purposefully and powerfully every day.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:05 - Opening & Dodgers Talk
01:08 - Promotion - Iron Council
02:16 - Ken's Question: Visualization Struggles
14:29 - Julian's Question: Breaking Limiting Narratives
28:36 - Dwayne's Question: Master vs Apprentice Learning
37:22 - Brian's Question: Fighting Through Pain
45:29 - Jeremy's Question: Blind Spots in Men
50:14 - Nana's Question: Handling Gossip & Slander
58:37 - Dustin's Question: Coping with Depression & Hopelessness
01:08:27 - Closing Thoughts

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood.

Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready

Whether we acknowledge it or not, there are certain behaviors and mindsets that are etched into our psyche by our fathers. And, if we cannot be aware of what they are, we lose any hope of having power over them and charting new paths for ourselves and our children.

Today, I'm joined by Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, to talk about the legacy his father left and how he is trying to break the string of mindsets that hindered, not helped. We talk about how do adapt when plans don't work, the power of the meritocracy, how to overcome the victimhood mentality, creating powerful and healthy outlets, and the mantras that have served him well and that he wishes to instill in his children.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 – The New York Marathon disaster
02:00 – Pushing through with mantras
03:40 – Planning, pace, and preparation
05:30 – Travel stress and overcommitment
07:37 – The power of mental reframing
08:11 – Continuous forward motion
10:35 – Learning from past failures
11:58 – "On to Cincinnati" mindset
15:23 – Lessons from failure and legacy
20:29 – How his father inspired running
21:34 – Finding identity through running
23:35 – Parenting and discipline
25:32 – Lockdown marathon story
27:40 – Breaking generational cycles
30:57 – Lessons from his father's downfall
33:18 – The danger of victim mentality
37:17 – Teaching resilience to his sons
39:13 – Soccer as a meritocratic equalizer
42:07 – Shared humanity through sport
45:01 – The importance of men talking openly
46:01 – Running as leadership training
48:21 – Endurance, pacing, and goal setting
49:59 – The Running Ground book
50:38 – Closing remarks

Battle Planners: Pick yours up today!

Order Ryan's new book, The Masculinity Manifesto.

For more information on the Iron Council brotherhood.

Want maximum health, wealth, relationships, and abundance in your life? Sign up for our free course, 30 Days to Battle Ready