"You can’t handle me."

“You can’t handle me.”

A phrase every man mutters to himself at some stage in his life, or still reminds himself of regularly.

This is a belief many of us men carry, and prevents us from opening ourselves up in relationships, connecting deeply with others, speaking up in our careers, our personal lives and asking for help.

Every man has an intensity within him, whether he is conscious of it or not.

An untamed intensity that feels trapped within him, that wants to be let out and expressed.

A powerful energy that holds much fire, emotion and potency.

However, most of us are either afraid, disconnected or don't know how to deal with it. We have been conditioned this way.

Most likely we had to suppress it, because either our parents couldn’t handle it or we needed to fit into our family structure and be accepted. Consequently, we would hide it away, avoid it and would remain dormant as we grow into a man.

As a man, deep down we know there is this intensity brewing within us, but we keep it at arms length, never wanting to connect with it, because many of us believe this intensity is too much for anyone to handle.

We fear the judgement that may come from letting it out, and truly being seen in all our intensity, in our fullness.

We end up fearing ourselves, and learning it’s not okay to be our full selves, because we believe no one can handle me, and I can’t even handle myself.

So, we continue to hide it, hide ourselves and never let anyone in, or help us.

We never reveal our truest form, and sadly, we carry this burden with us wherever we go.

Finding ways to numb ourselves through unhealthy behaviours that distract us from what’s happening inside of us.

We never get to truly realise what we are made of, and neither does the world.

In saying that, I have good news.

You’re not alone in this, and you’re never alone in this.

There are men in this world who are actively learning how to navigate this intensity and transform it into their greatest asset.

There are men in this world who can handle your intensity and want to help you navigate yours.

This is a foundation of Men’s work, learning to navigate ourselves, embrace our intensity, our fullness and integrate it into our lives alongside other men, so we can:

- Be fully present and deepen relationships with loved one’s

- To step up as a leader in our relationships, family, peers and colleagues

- Speak our voice without hesitation, making ourselves and our ideas be seen and heard

- To live a life with strong purpose and assertiveness that positively influences others and results

- To finally feel free of burden and feel calm and ease in our own skin

- To start taking action on what seems scary and do things we’ve never done before, to create a life for ourselves we've never lived before

The Ascension men’s community is a place for men to freely express themselves amongst other men on the same journey of self mastery, finding freedom, and stepping into heart-led leadership. All within a safe space without judgement and encouraging each other’s fullness.