Excellence Above Talent Podcast

Congratulations, You Played Yourself Today

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] You can be “the strong one” and still be falling apart. When we keep performing confidence, toughness, success, and even spirituality, we may look put together but feel strangely numb, lonely, and tired. We’re not always exhausted because life is hard. We’re exhausted because acting is hard, and our nervous system was never designed to stay on stage 24/7. We dig into how the mask gets built early, especially when praise only shows up after achievement, emotions get ignored, or vulnerability feels unsafe. I share why men often learn to perform masculinity instead of understanding it, and how that turns into “don’t cry,” “don’t ask for help,” and “don’t look weak.” The hidden trap is brutal: you can receive love for someone you’re pretending to be, while the real you stays unseen. We also talk about people pleasing as performance, the fear underneath it, and why resentment grows when we trade authenticity for acceptance. Then we pivot to what real healing looks like: truth over image management, alignment between your public and private self, healthy boundaries, and the courage to ask, “Who am I when no one is around?” The goal isn’t to impress people. The goal is peace. If you’re ready to stop pretending and start healing, listen now, then share this with a man who needs it. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what mask are you ready to put down? Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

You Can’t Blame Your Past And Keep Hurting People

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] We wrap our series with a blunt look at how unhealed pain turns into patterns that damage relationships and get handed down to kids. We challenge ourselves to stop confusing “normal” with “healthy” and to take full responsibility for the work of healing.  • why unhealthy behavior can feel normal when it is familiar  • how unhealed pain leaks into relationships, parenting, and friendships  • swearing “I’ll never be like that” while still repeating it without healing  • the difference between explanation and excuse in personal change  • how cycles spread through learned behavior, including racism and hate  • practical steps like emotional regulation, boundaries, therapy, and apology  • why legacy is behavior and emotional impact, not just money  • choosing to build people up instead of becoming a hurt person who hurts people  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.  And for daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAboveTalent.  Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

Habits Build Futures

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] Your future isn’t waiting for one big break it’s being built by what you do on an ordinary day when nobody is watching. We’re talking about habits, discipline, and the quiet choices that shape a man’s direction over time, for better or worse. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unmotivated, or frustrated that nothing is changing, this conversation is a straight shot of clarity. We dig into why small habits don’t stay small. Skipping one workout, avoiding one hard conversation, one more night of escape or distraction can feel insignificant in the moment, but repetition turns it into momentum, and momentum turns into identity. I share a simple framework that makes it real: every action is a vote for the person you’re becoming. Over time, consistency beats intensity because your life changes when your daily system changes. We also separate comfort habits from growth habits. Comfort habits bring quick relief but long-term damage. Growth habits usually feel uncomfortable at first: communicating instead of shutting down, reading instead of scrolling, budgeting instead of impulse spending, showing up to the gym when you don’t feel like it, taking accountability instead of blaming. We close with practical steps to interrupt bad patterns, start small, and build one habit consistently until it becomes normal, plus reflection questions you can use this week. If this hit home, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share it with someone who’s trying to change their life, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

You Will Always Fall Back To Who You Believe You Are

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] You can grind for a month, hit a goal, and still end up right back in the same old habits the moment pressure hits. That’s not because you’re broken or “just not disciplined.” It’s because your identity is doing exactly what it was built to do: pull you back to what feels familiar. We talk about the real difference between behavior and identity and why behavior always follows what you believe about yourself. If your internal voice keeps repeating “I always mess up” or “I’m inconsistent,” you’ll eventually act that out, no matter how motivated you felt last week. We dig into the uncomfortable parts too: the fear of becoming someone new, the ego that defends who you’ve been, and what happens when growth starts shrinking your circle because certain relationships, jobs, and environments no longer fit. Then we get practical. We share the mindset shift from “I’m trying” to “I am,” why speaking life into yourself matters as an adult, and how small wins become proof that slowly rewires your self-image. You’ll also hear simple reflection questions you can use right away to decide who you are becoming and how that version of you shows up this week. If this hit home, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s stuck in the same loop, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What identity are you ready to stop living from? Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]

What If The Thing You Avoid Is You

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1865459/fan_mail/new] Avoidance is a sneaky kind of self-sabotage because it feels like relief. We tell ourselves we’re keeping the peace, staying calm, or waiting for a better time, but what we’re really doing is choosing comfort now and paying for it later. In Week 19 of our 24-week series, we get honest about the habit that keeps cycles alive for so many men: ignoring what needs to be faced. We walk through what avoidance looks like in real life, from refusing a hard conversation to downplaying a serious issue with “it’s not that bad,” to asking for space and never coming back to finish the talk. We also explain why avoidance doesn’t remove the problem, it delays it, and delayed problems grow. That pressure can stack up quietly behind the scenes, hurting your mental health, your marriage, your friendships, and your ability to lead yourself with maturity. Then we go deeper into the identity side of it. A lot of men avoid because the truth threatens how we see ourselves, or how we think a man “should” be. We talk about building a stronger foundation for identity, including a faith-centered perspective, so facing the truth doesn’t feel like losing yourself. Finally, we lay out practical steps you can take today: address issues early, admit when you’re wrong, sit with discomfort, and ask one life-changing question: what or who am I avoiding right now? If this hit home, subscribe to Excellence Above Talent, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more men find these conversations. Support the show [https://cash.app/$usarmy3037] #excellenceabovetalent [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/excellenceabovetalent?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #EAT [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/eat?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #dontgiveup [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dontgiveup?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youdeservethebest [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youdeservethebest?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] #youareenough [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareenough?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R] ... [https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youareworthy?__eep__=6&__cft__%5B0%5D=AZVzLAXtTXK4Ky1FWAFfmYrVnlP-U4lgvXY63St-UBCD5feEjaU4mnleGRLIXUiIyi91UBve7RPFn7sDmS3VhkXEsYHSuiSaNBTOK37Td5T7PPIkwqdDGixa4gTpdYQeT7Qf65VOGBWvv9v43eta0DaN&__tn__=*NK-R]