17. Apologizing For Our Masculinity is Not What Makes Women (Or Anyone) Feel Safe w/ Mark Grainger

Are you a man disconnected from your power?
How can you be your full, wildly masculine self without apology (and without hurting anyone)?
Are you committed to going all in on your dreams … or are you half-assing it?

Mark Grainger is actually one of my coaches (yes, I have multiple!).
A few years ago, I went to an event Mark and his wife, Shannon, were hosting in the San Francisco Bay area to teach entrepreneurs how to speak powerfully on stage in ways that actually create more income.
About 30 minutes into this 3-day event, Mark told all us men to stand up and grab our balls. Which we did, with a certain giddy discomfort I would say. Mark then led us through a pledge – I don’t remember the exact details – but essentially a pledge to fully own our desires, to not apologize for being men, and to ALSO be chivalrous and attuned to the women in the room. I loved it. The women loved it, too, except for one, who didn’t love it at all, which we talk about in this episode.
That weekend, I decided to become a VIP coaching client of Mark and Shannon’s, and I paid them $20,000 to start coaching me in my business. In many ways thanks to their influence, I feel like I now actually have a business, whereas before all I had were ways to make money.
Mark’s background is in marketing and sales. A genius branding expert, he’s executed over 450 branding and promotional campaigns as the advisor to Porsche, Harley Davidson, AFLAC,  Marriott, and more.

Today, he’s helping heart-centered entrepreneurs who are committed to making a meaningful difference in the world create bigger impacts with their message.
I invited Mark onto the podcast to learn more about his journey as a man, what challenges he’s faced on his entrepreneurial journey, and in his relationship with Shannon, with whom he’s built a multi-million-dollar business.
Our conversation covered a wide range of essential topics, from the challenges many men face being raised by well-meaning moms who are angry at men, to where are we men supposed to put our power in today’s world?
Definitely stay tuned all the way through to his 5 Key Takeaway’s at the end of this episode of Men, This Way
Alright …
Let’s dive …
SHOW NOTES
6:42 ~ Significant event in Mark’s early life that played a fundamental role in shaping him
13:44 ~ How our wounds get in the way of communicating effectively
16:12 ~ Working with your partner
20:27 ~ “Can the person who loves me do the talking”
23:21 ~ You’re not angry for the reasons you think you are
25:55 ~ “Men stand up and grab your balls”
37:49 ~ Mark’s journey as an entrepreneur
40:32 ~ Acting despite being terrified
43:21 ~ Disempowering thoughts and beliefs
47:23 ~ The biggest challenge facing men in the world today
51:26 ~ “5 KEY TAKEWAYS” FINALE
51:43 ~ KEY INSIGHT: Do the work
53:48 ~ KEY MENTOR: Bill Gould & Marianne Williamson
56:18 ~ KEY RESOURCE (most impactful, inspiring book, movie, podcast): “Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work” by Jamie Wheal and Steven Kotler (Book)
58:07 ~ KEY INVESTMENT (the best thing you spent money on, under $10,000): Miss Jaiya’s Erotic Blueprints
1:00:06 ~ KEY PRACTICE (7-day challenge to the men listening): Breath of Fire (Kundalini yoga practice)
OTHER LINKS AND RESOURCES
Find Mark @ www.MyBigImpact.com