ep. 15 - Adversity, Vulnerability, Discipline & Story: A Special Collaboration with Zach Monroe

ep. 15 - Adversity, Vulnerability, Discipline & Story: A Special Collaboration with Zach Monroe

In this special joint episode of The Men of the Mountain Podcast and Into the Fire Podcast, John Baker and Zach Monroe sit down for a real, unscripted conversation about what it means to be a man in today’s world. This isn’t an interview—it’s two men with parallel missions exploring where their work overlaps and where it differs. Together, they dive into owning your story, facing adversity instead of running from it, discipline versus distraction, masculine vulnerability, brotherhood, and the silent battles many men fight alone. Drawing from their personal experiences with faith, addiction, trauma, fatherhood, leadership, and the healing power of the outdoors, John and Zach unpack how challenge, accountability, and intentional daily practices shape resilient men. This conversation is about stepping out of autopilot, finding purpose through responsibility and service, and learning how adversity can become a credential for leadership rather than a source of shame. If you’re a man navigating identity, isolation, or the tension between strength and vulnerability, this episode is an invitation to step into the fire—and come out stronger. You can find and follow Zach with the following links: Forge & Freedom [http://www.forgenfreedom.com/] Social: @ForgeNFreedom Into The Fire Podcast: * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeNFreedom] * Spotify [⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2MjJbSUBdrq4MZ29Smzwsk?si=zhtSmvsxQ8msYnmxeJlDSA⁠] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/into-the-fire/id1839987685]

ep. 14 - 7 Life Lessons from the Mountains

After a long overdue return to the mic, this episode of The Men of the Mountain Podcast comes straight from the trails, the cold air, and the quiet voice of God speaking in the wilderness. What started as a hike to Horsetail Falls turned into two hours of impressions, ideas, promptings, and lesson, In this episode, I share seven lessons the mountain teaches us about struggle, growth, alignment, pacing, opposition, and the presence of God in our daily climb. From resisting the urge to quit in the first mile, to understanding what struggle really means, to learning when to push and when to rest, these insights connect outdoor experience with spiritual truth in a simple, relatable, and deeply personal way. If you’ve ever felt behind, unprepared, discouraged, or unsure if God is really walking with you, this conversation is for you. The message is simple: Trust Him. Keep moving. He directs the path, both up the mountain and through the wilderness.

ep. 13 - Running into the Storm: Ultra Running with Caleb Baker

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, host I sit down with my brother Caleb to unpack the lessons learned from completing the grueling DC Peaks 50 — a 50-mile ultramarathon with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain that took place on the second wettest day in Utah history. Caleb shares how his motivations for ultra running have evolved over time — from chasing clout to finding peace, discipline, and purpose as a father. He explains how he trained differently this time, prioritizing durability, holistic health, and mental strength over mileage. Together, the brothers explore the deeper parallels between endurance and fatherhood: learning to stay calm under pressure, facing adversity with gratitude, and embracing the process rather than just the finish line. From running into lightning storms to enduring sleepless nights as a dad, this conversation dives into what it truly means to be a “man of the mountain” — to choose tranquility in chaos, and to let challenges strip away everything unnecessary until only your truest self remains.

ep. 12 - Understanding Shame with Michael Anderson

In this episode of Men of the Mountain, I sit down with Michael Anderson, therapist-turned-coach and founder of Unbound, to talk about healing from pornography and transforming shame into strength. Michael shares how real freedom comes not from fighting urges, but from understanding the deeper needs behind them. We unpack how shame keeps men stuck, how to replace guilt with growth, and what it means to lead with authenticity and self-compassion. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, self-doubt, or the pressure to appear “put together,” this conversation will remind you that healing begins when you stop hiding and start connecting. Links: Michael's Podcast (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/4AJom5qLrU9o0iypjopNm6?si=476d5a0bd9a746bc Michael's Podcast (Apple Podcasts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unbound-helping-husbands-fathers-outgrow-pornography/id1837528293

ep. 11 - pt. 2: What it Means to Be a Man of the Mountain

We continue exploring what it means to be a Man of the Mountain—a man of faith, strength, and purpose in a chaotic world. In Part 2, we break down three outward-facing principles: * Salt of the Earth: preserving goodness and healing through integrity and faith. * The Sheepdog : standing guard, protecting others, and leading with courage and humility. * Charity: embodying the pure love of Christ in every challenge. This episode is a call for men to rise above mediocrity, live with conviction, and become “mountain ready” in spirit and action. "Arise from the dust… and be men." To learn more about the Men of the Mountain coaching program, schedule an appointment with John Baker: https://calendly.com/johncbaker814/30min