Heart of Man

Jord Cuiper is back for his 2nd round, and this interview feels like a full-circle moment, considering he was part of the first episode I ever published.He's an executive and self-leadership coach with over a decade of experience working with founders, business owners & high-level professionals across the world.As I see it, his work cuts straight to the core of what actually holds people back:◾ The blind spots they cannot see in themselves, the self-protective patterns they might have built over a lifetime, and the foundational values they've disconnected from.In his own life, Jord founded his first tech company at 24, scaling it from zero to a seven-figure business serving clients across Europe. Then, in 2018, a near-fatal health crisis forced him to step down from the business and confront the aspects of himself that led him to this definitive moment, requiring him to completely rebuild his life from the ground up. And this became the very foundation of the work he provides today...Back in the beginning of 2024, I went through a defining period myself, where my business scaled 2x, and at the same time I was constantly overwhelmed, needing to confront the fact that I was at the brink of burnout, even though I was deeply trained within the understandings of the nervous system.I reached out to him, knowing if someone could help me through this time, it would be him. That led to him becoming my coach over a 16-month period, guiding me toward building a deeper form of self-leadership from the inside out. The shifts I made during that time were foundational, and I carry much of what we built together into my work to this day.In this episode, Jord and I return to the core of his work: Why change is harder than we think, why knowing is never enough, and what it actually takes to stop the pattern and step into something more self-led.In this conversation, we explore:Why doing more work on yourself can actually be a way of avoiding the one thing that actually needs to changeWhy knowing what needs to shift and actually shifting it are two completely different thingsHow the identity you're most proud of can become the biggest obstacle to real changeThe difference between what you value and what you need, and why confusing the two keeps men stuckWhat it actually looks like to move from boy psychology to man psychology in daily lifeWhen to push through and when to ease off, and how to tell the differenceWhat Jord learned about himself when injury took his passion for running away and forced him to stopI loved this conversation with Jord...He's direct, honest, and practically grounded in a way that only comes from having walked one's own path. I hold deep respect for the work he's done on himself and continues to bring to the people he serves.This episode is for anyone who's done the work, listened to the podcasts, attended the circles, yet still feels like something essential has not changed.—Connect with Alex Lehmann: 🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_/🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (one spot available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP—Connect with Jord Cuiper:🌐 Website: https://www.jordcuiper.com/🌐Check out "Ara 2": https://www.ara2.ai/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordcuiper/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jord-cuiper-25b25a14/🔥 Episodes you might enjoy:Jord Cuiper: Stepping Into Self-Leadership | EP 1: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2xbdDWEghQppWavOXFEfJF

Chris Marhefka is a Master Coach, worldwide retreat facilitator, and co-founder of the men’s movement "Thirteen Pines". He also hosts the "Fully Expressed" Podcast, alongside his work as an investor and speaker.As an experienced entrepreneur, Chris has grown and exited several six- and seven-figure companies. For over a decade, he lived the life of a serial entrepreneur, building businesses and chasing his definition of success at the time.All of this came to an abrupt halt after he experienced a stress-induced brain injury. ..What initially appeared to be a physical breakdown became a turning point that reshaped his entire life. During his recovery, Chris developed a deep mindfulness practice and began asking more honest questions about the life he was living and the man he wanted to be.That reckoning led him into an initiation that ultimately changed the trajectory of his entire life.Over the past eight years, Chris has immersed himself in emotional healing, trauma facilitation, somatic work, breathwork, relational coaching, masculine embodiment, and leadership development. He has since worked with over 2,000 clients across physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual domains, supporting men in becoming more grounded, capable, and fully expressed.In this conversation, we explore:Chris’ personal journey as a serial entrepreneur, and the life-altering transition point that reshaped how he relates to success, identity, and leadershipWhy moments of breakdown can serve as powerful initiations into deeper maturity, rather than something to avoid or bypassThe core distinctions between boy psychology and man psychology, and how these patterns show upHow men can learn to lead themselves through moments of breakdown and transition, and cultivate more honest, grounded, and truthful expressions of who they areWhat masculine leadership truly entails in Chris' perspectiveThe importance of developing the capacity to listen, to our inner knowing, as a foundation for leadership and connectionThe importance of cultivating openness, humility, and a beginner’s mindHow the Russian martial art Systema has been supporting Chris to step into deeper embodimentAt the heart of this conversation is a deeper inquiry into how we meet moments of breakdown in our lives... And how these moments, when met honestly and with sincerity, can become the ground for a more truthful, embodied, and mature expressions of who we are.This is a powerful conversation for any man navigating a transition, questioning his identity, or sensing that life is asking more of him.—Connect with Alex Lehmann: 🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP—Connect with Chris Marhefka🌐 Website: https://www.chrismarhefka.com/🌐 Discover more about "Thirteen Pines": https://www.thirteenpines.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrismarhefka🎧 Listen to Chris' podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1X5smBK27JlLjxR4Fbir3q?si=d2ea870e815b46da🔥Episodes you might enjoy:Nic Warner: Are We Failing Men Without Initiations Into Manhood? | EP 34: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VmXXcviyNnHTFanuFF32y?si=tQT8SWLvS8G8NmtRgLtnAgChris Bale: Why Are Men Struggling Today & What Can They Do? | EP 27: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vLPotDJsjkrfmkyWUeYXJ?si=d7x3AmtIQ02xiLisR_vPHA

René Schwarzgruber is a Relationship Coach, Facilitated Breath Repatterning Practitioner, and Co-Founder of "ReallyAlign". Growing up in a small town in Austria, Rene initially followed the traditional western path, building a career in banking, yet deep down he knew that there was something more for him... In his mid-20's, he took a leap of faith, leaving behind his stable life, moving to Norway with his then partner, and beginning to travel. His journey led him to co-found "Life is a Beach Party", where he spent over a decade creating experiences for 1000's of young travelers across the globe. Over the years, René began to wake up to the hidden costs of the life he had built, acknowledging how he'd been defined by the chase for pleasure, validation, and approval, and the avoidance of responsibility and discomfort...Eventually, life began to knock on his door through numerous challenges, calling him into deeper maturity and out of the frame of boy psychology that had, in many ways, been dictating his life. This time of introspection, led him down a journey of discovery, healing, embodiment, and emotional awareness. Eventually, his journey brought him to Bali, where I met him back in 2023 as he stepped into the same Breathwork Facilitator Training I had completed a few years prior... Through this work and his personal breakthroughs, René stepped into a new purpose of supporting others through embodied coaching, and breathwork.This calling led him to step out of his travel company and birth his current venture, "ReallyAlign", a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs release stress, reconnect with themselves, and step into deeper alignment. René and I reconnected again a few months ago, unexpectedly sharing some raw truths about our first interactions with each other. This led to a powerful discussion, unpacking the conditioned beliefs we both still carried, the fears that still existed, and through that rawness, confirming the values that we both hold so dear: being solid, integrated men, cultivating meaningful relationships, and supporting others to step out from behind the masks of everyday life into deeper alignment. This led me to want to invite him on the show, and this conversation surely didn't dissapoint, where you'll discover:What it takes to move beyond unhealthy competition and learning to celebrate the success of othersThe hidden motives behind his early drive to build a party company, and the deeper growth it led him towardThe importance of failing fast and embracing discomfort as a path to growthRené's personal journey of forgiving his mother and transforming his relationship with herHow he moved from “boy psychology” to embodied, mature masculinityWhat he’s learned about provision, leadership, and the role of being a man in modern relationshipsWhy breathwork has become his life’s work, and, in his words, one of the most powerful tools for transformation he’s ever experiencedWhy so many modern relationships break downThis was an inspiring conversation with a man I consider a growing friend, and I hope you enjoy this raw and honest exchange.—Connect with Alex Lehmann: 🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP—Connect with René Schwarzgruber:🌐 Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.reallyalign.com/⁠⁠⁠📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rene.schwarzgruber💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rene-schwarzgruber-breathwork?originalSubdomain=de

Over the years of being a fellow podcast listener myself, I’ve received immense benefit from listening to coaches and practitioners I’ve been inspired by offering anonymous coaching sessions to their listeners. Every time I tuned in, I found these sessions to be an incredible opportunity to get to know myself on a deeper level.And while the content of what might be occurring for someone is unique to them, the themes that are addressed are, in my eyes, universal. Themes that we all need to face and work through...Whether it’s moving through self-sabotage, overcoming anxiety, finding forgiveness, accepting ourselves for who we are, or learning to lead ourselves better.To offer you deeper context of my world outside of being a podcaster, and to give you a glimpse into my work as a coach and somatic practitioner, I decided to periodically release these experiences, where I guide someone through a process of the work I offer in-person, which includes a 1-hour coaching session and a 1-hour breathwork journey.In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to listen to the challenges Artur is navigating as we explore themes of self-sabotage, self-trust, and self-leadership. Like many men I work with, Artur wanted to address the blocks holding him back from doing the work he deeply wants to step into, moving past patterns of self-sabotage.After a few minutes of investigation, and directing my curiosity toward his experience, we oriented our session around his internal world, something I commonly do within these sessions. What Artur ended up finding was a surprise to him, as he was completely oblivious to the blind spots right in front of him. If you listen closely, I would argue that this is going to be a session many of you might be able to relate to...It highlights that self-leadership isn’t just about the execution of our task lists or the actions we want to take, but rather, it often begins by being there for ourselves in the moments that are silently demanding it. This one was for sure a relatable one for me, and I know for many high performers I work with as well. If you enjoyed this style of podcast and found value in it, my encouragement is to let me know: reach out, leave a comment or give the podcast a 5-star rating to show it some extra love. If you’ve been a listener of this show for a while, you’ll know that I truly do my best to offer a platform that brings genuine value, consistently demanding excellence of myself in the process. And the reason why is because I genuinely care and I want men to succeed. My aspiration is to create the kind of roadmap I wish I had when I was walking through the thick of it on my own journey.I hope you enjoy this one.—Connect with Alex Lehmann: 🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP🔥 Episodes you might enjoy:Alex Lehmann: What Facing Death Taught Me About Living Fully — A Journey into Authenticity, Transformation & Masculinity | EP 55 [W/ Edward Dangerfield]: https://open.spotify.com/episode/15d0ed0fROCj5NfoFMlj0T?si=90351b71136b43b2

David Chambers is a Dating, Relationship, and Intimacy Coach who has spent the last decade guiding men into creating the love, sex, and connection they long for by helping them cultivate authenticity, emotional intelligence, and self-leadership. His work today invites men to drop the masks of performance and step into a truer way of relating—one where intimacy, attraction, and deep connection can naturally emerge from who they really are. But David didn’t come to this work through theory...This path was shaped by his own lived experiences. After years of painful relationships, years of chasing validation through meaningless sex, and a deep fear of commitment, he found himself disconnected from the very love and joy he longed for. The breaking point came during a world trip, after another painful breakup in Bolivia... What could have been just another collapse instead became a defining turning point. David committed to a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth that reshaped his entire understanding of masculinity, intimacy, and what it truly means to love well.Through this path, he shed the weight of stereotypes and societal expectations he learned of what a “real man” should be. He discovered that sharing his feelings doesn't have to be a sign of weakness but an act of courage, that authentic vulnerability creates deeper connection, and that our imperfection make us human and relatable. It was this commitment towards transformation that now fuels his work with men: Guiding them to create authentic attraction, build deep emotional connections, embody healthy masculinity, and experience connected sexual intimacy.In our conversation, David & I dive into:The root causes of fear of intimacy and commitment in men, and why many avoidant men struggle to feel safe in relationships.How childhood imprints of love and attachment styles shape the way men show up in dating and long-term relationships.How men who fear commitment can learn to feel safe again, and practical steps to rebuild trust.The importance of emotional intelligence for men in relationships, including learning to be with your own emotions and to hold space for your partner’s.The difference between sex & true intimacy.The hidden longing behind sexual promiscuity in men, and how embracing the need for nurturance, gentleness, and physical touch can transform intimacy and self-connection.I found this to be a deeply raw & wide-ranging dialogue, and I’m grateful for David’s honesty and lived experience in demonstrating how we can challenge our old narratives and imprints of love, relationships, and what it means to be a man, in order to create connections that feel safe, authentic, connected, and alive.—Connect with Alex Lehmann: 🌐 Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_🎥 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcast💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-hom🎧 Listen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478✉️ Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.com🤝Think we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJP—Connect with David Chambers: 🌐 Website: https://www.theauthenticman.net/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theauthenticman_🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChUduzipk3B4iLy5yU-vRIA🎧 Listen to David's Podcast "The Authentic Man Podcast": https://open.spotify.com/show/64n26CAX3FIhJj7aMR2CO6?si=dbc48cb6ed174b7b🔥 Episodes you might enjoy:Ryan Moresby-White: 'Heal The Boy, So The Man Can Appear' | EP 46: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0o12DLCEdr639SK3Ht57k6?si=_GcNsSaISGinqTKtFtoQiQChris Bale: How Can Men Today Reclaim Their Boldness? | EP 44: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c4UtA1P9cKQbUUG3zEtgB?si=EPBn4pcgSzam-wMoI4py2w

Rainier Wylde is a gifted writer, teacher, and guide known for his direct and insightful approach to some of life’s toughest questions... His work blends wisdom from ancient traditions with a modern understanding of life’s impermanence challenging us to confront our fears, embrace discomfort, and cultivate the strength to stay present to the raw experiences of life. And for the past 20 years, he's been teaching and guiding people through this approach, helping them transform their lives.To me, Rainier is one of those unique men whose very presence feels like a living story. He has lived a life of incredible contrasts: helping businesses at the highest level, then burning them to the ground. He has known both the heights of success and the depths of failure, and he has learned to speak about both with the same raw honesty.He's also a master storyteller, weaving together ancient myth, his personal struggles, and timeless wisdom into reflections that don’t just engage our intellect, but land right in the core of who we are. And he does all of this with a lighthearted, warm, almost childlike approach. He’s a philosopher of love, a guide into authenticity, and a man who has walked through the fire and come back with something to say.What strikes me most about Rainier is not just his wisdom, but his willingness to fail fully, and then turn that same failure into beauty. He reminds us that authenticity is always more powerful than performance, and that the cracks in our lives are often the very places where light and creativity can break through.In our conversation, discover:What it means to risk authenticity over performance as menHow we can learn to fail better How shame, when it's met with courage, can become a teacher that leads us into accountability and deeper integrity. Rainier speaks vulnerably about his own journey into authenticity, which included owning his past infidelity and the describes how he moved through that experience with his partner. We also explore why our lives can become unbearable when we refuse to embrace our inherent role as creators, and why reclaiming that role, becoming creative in our day-to-day lives, is vital if we want to live well.And connected throughout our entire conversation, Rainier offers these simple yet profound reminders, like never missing a sunrise, calling us back to the beauty of being alive, and what really matters at the end of the day.I absolutely loved this conversation with Rainier...It was deep, messy, and real. And for me, it was a reminder of what becomes possible when we meet life with truth, humility, and wonder. My hope is that it does the same for you...—Connect with Rainier Wylde:Website: https://www.rainierwylde.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainierwyldeCheck Out "The Creator's Collective": https://www.rainierwylde.com/thecreatorsListen to Rainier's Podcast "The Creators Podcast": https://open.spotify.com/show/4zH5wYDPBKIiZjmNxdLldi?si=966da933d9c140cf—Connect with Alex Lehmann: Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofmanpodcastLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexlehmann-homListen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478Email: alexlehmanncoaching@gmail.comThink we might be a good fit to work together? Let’s find out & schedule a free connection call (two spots available at present time): https://ahb8n7i1908.typeform.com/to/ddTCwpJPEpisodes you might enjoy:Bjoern Keune: When Chasing Success Costs You Integrity & Freedom — and How to Reclaim It | EP 47:https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bSHhImpIGxe4Uk4IwdtX4?si=2337e1e84b244aaeAlex Lehmann: What Facing Death Taught Me About Living Fully — A Journey into Authenticity, Transformation & Masculinity | EP 55:https://open.spotify.com/episode/15d0ed0fROCj5NfoFMlj0T?si=xi0rgf4oRSyDLJTBySCRBQ