A man should have three places in his life. The first is his home. There is a certain role and expectation that comes with that place. The second is work… This place also has a specified role, with expected behaviors and outcomes. The most important of these from a mental health perspective is the THIRD PLACE. This is the place that you choose to go. A place where there are like minded people, no judgement, little expectations outside just showing up. It is a place where you can let your guard down and relax. Be the person you may not be able to be at your other places. Think Coffee shops, Bars, gyms, CrossFit, Martial Arts Academies, book clubs, etc. The number of third places has declined dramatically over the years and coincides with declines in men’s mental health. Find a third places!!!

Writing this book started this whole amazing journey!

The Warrior in the Garden Program Code 1. We keep the Warrior Strength is not the enemy. Discipline is not the problem. Ambition is not a flaw. We honor: • courage • resilience • responsibility • personal standards We do not ask anyone to become smaller to belong here. But we also do not allow strength to become armor. 2. We cultivate the Garden This is a place for: • presence • reflection • emotional awareness • inner stillness Growth here is not measured by: • output • productivity • wins • or appearances It is measured by: • awareness • honesty • and the ability to be at peace without escaping. 3. We choose response over reaction This is a non-reactive space. We pause before we speak. We listen before we advise. We feel before we fix. Conflict is handled with: • curiosity • calm • and respect Not dominance, withdrawal, or performance. 4. We do not perform healing There are no: • breakthroughs to prove • traumas to display • stories to compete with Silence is welcome. Presence is participation. You do not need to share to belong. 5. We do not rescue each other We walk alongside. We do not: • diagnose • save • advise unless invited • or take responsibility for someone else’s journey Every person here is sovereign. 6. We honor vulnerability as strength Being honest is not weakness. Being open is not soft. We respect: • emotional truth • lived experience • and the courage it takes to be real There is no shame in being human here. 7. We leave ego at the gate No hierarchy of: • suffering • success • experience • or spirituality There are no gurus here. Only gardeners. 8. We move at the speed of trust No urgency. No pressure. No “catching up.” You grow when you’re ready. 9. We protect the garden Anything that turns this into: • a competition • a marketplace • a therapy room • a performance space • or a hierarchy Does not belong here. We guard the tone as fiercely as the content. 10. Our oath We keep the warrior. We cultivate the garden. We walk in strength and peace — together.