Old Wounds Don’t Heal In Isolation

I’ve an old wound sourced in childhood that still whispers from the shadowy corners of my brain: “No one cares about what you’re doing.”

That painful story took root in the first few decades of my life when my father was largely absent and the rest of my family didn’t know how to show much genuine interest in my life as an Air Force officer (my sister thought I was in the Coast Guard) or my world adventures (I’d spent years living in France, Egypt, Australia, India .. yet no one ever asked me about any of it!).

So last week, while trekking up a steep, stony, cloud-cloaked mountain path in western Ireland, when I looked around and saw 16 men hiking beside me – 16 profound, inspired, heart-connected men who’d come from across America and Europe – I took it aaaaaaaall in.

These men had not only accepted my invite to adventure on this rugged, ancient isle I’ve come to love, they also followed me on a deep-dive journey into The 5 Pillars of a Thriving Man: Brotherhood, Purpose, Intimacy, Family, Spirituality.

For this ELEVATE in EPIC IRELAND RETREAT, I’d envisioned a week for men to be away from the responsibilities and demands of daily life – from work, woman, child – to get both the epic adventure we crave and the deep reflection we need.

The week was filled with even more magic and inspiration and authentic brotherhood than I’d hoped for.

We confronted our sabotaging patterns, our strange resistances to life and love. We gave shape to our biggest visions for our lives. We laughed wildly and let loose our inner boyishness. We courageously cried out our grief. We saw deeply into ourselves and into each other, offering powerful witness to the burdens and heartbreaks we all carry.

Indeed, we adventured bravely – both externally on the mountain and in frosty Atlantic waters, and internally into rarely examined areas of mind, body, heart, soul.

Look, I apologize in advance, but I need to brag on myself a moment. Forgive me, but it must be said:

I am incredibly gifted at bringing profound men together into strong, trustable containers within which we can quickly experience profound brotherhood while doing the deep inner-growth work that sets us free to live as the best versions of ourselves.

As men return home this week, I see messages from these men about how they’re returning renewed, reinvigorated, excited to show up fully as the dads their kids need them to be, the boyfriends and husbands their women ache for them to be, and the courageous, visionary, heart-centered (and mature) men the world needs perhaps more than ever for us to be.

If you are a man – or you know one – who would be lit up by an experience like this, my next deep-dive men’s coaching adventure begins soon.

ELEVATE 2026: One year. Real brotherhood. Radical growth.

I only invite 10 men into this coaching adventure each year. This is my 6^th year, and already there are only 6 spots left (4 men have already claimed theirs).

However, before you apply, know this:

When you step into an ELEVATE experience with me, you’re doing more than simply going on a thrilling coaching journey for yourself: You’re also stepping resolutely into a powerful brotherhood of trustable, inspired men who will respectfully, lovingly, and fiercely help hold you accountable to living more fully into the greatest version of yourself.

No man heals his deepest wounds or thrives in isolation. Including me. My oldest of wounds get a little love every time I look around and see good, authentic men surrounding me. My relationship with myself, with my wife, with Life, is massively better for it.

If that feels right to you, apply now for one of the last 6 spots:

https://bryanreeves.com/elevate