Strong.Love

04/08/2026

In any long-term relationship, when you’re actually doing life together, you’re going to hit some bumps.

A pothole here. A rough patch there.
And suddenly… things feel a little off.
A little wobbly. Slightly out of alignment.

That’s the moment most people ignore.

But just like you wouldn't with your car,
don’t wait until your whole relationship is shaking so bad it's about to fall apart to do something about it.

Take it in for a realignment as soon as you notice the first wobble.

Not every couple needs years of therapy.
But every couple needs moments of recalibration.

New piece up on Medium — live link in story. 🔗

https://medium.com/change-becomes-you/before-your-relationship-hits-a-reckoning-take-it-in-for-a-realignment-e27df4fc7a6a

03/31/2026

🌵 Exciting News: I'm Now Licensed to Practice in New Mexico!! 🫡

I'm proud to announce that I am now a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of New Mexico — and the "why" behind this milestone matters deeply to me.

New Mexico faces one of the most significant mental health crises in the country. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, the state's su***de rate has been at least 50% higher than the national average for over 20 years — and in some years, as much as 64% higher. New Mexico currently ranks 4th in the nation for su***de deaths and 2nd for adolescent su***des. And for those in the highest-risk age group (30–34), the rate is over 115% above the national average. The state also faces a serious shortage of licensed mental health providers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

For the people living there — including veterans, first responders, and working-class families who have historically had little access to quality mental health care — that gap is a painful lived reality.

This licensure is part of a larger chapter I'm stepping into: expanding my work beyond Texas to serve communities where care isn't always easy to find. As a therapist who has spent my career specializing in men's mental health, trauma, and the unique needs of first responders and veterans, I believe the people who sacrifice the most often have the least access to support. That's something I'm committed to changing.

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned — there are some exciting developments on the horizon. 🔭✨

🎖️A note for veterans and their families: I am currently working toward becoming an in-network Tricare provider. In the meantime, I am able to accept Tricare as an out-of-network provider. I am committed to making sure that the people who have served our country can access the care they deserve — and I'm actively working to reduce every barrier that stands in the way.

03/24/2026

Most people were taught to be good.

Polite, neighborly, considerate.

But not many people were taught how to be a partner.

And those are not the same job.

You can be a genuinely good human and still struggle in relationships. Because partnership isn’t about intention… it’s about skills:

How you handle conflict. How you regulate yourself. How you show up when it’s inconvenient, not just when it’s easy.

Being a “good guy” might get you a date.

But it won’t sustain connection.

Because being a good person doesn’t automatically make you a good partner.

But hey, if you've got the ingredients, come get the recipe.

I wrote a blog about what skills do sustain connection for The Good Men Project—check it out here 👇(live link in story)

https://medium.com/change-becomes-you/being-a-good-person-doesnt-automatically-make-you-a-good-partner-6217180d7bc6

03/19/2026

There’s a generation of men learning how to be men from algorithms.

What could go wrong?

My latest article reflects on the documentary Inside the Manosphere—when identity gets shaped by clicks instead of connection, we don’t get stronger men… we get more disconnected ones.

And the question can't just be "why is this happening?"

It has to be "what are we offering instead?"

👇 Check it out
https://open.substack.com/pub/thisismyinsidevoice/p/from-the-manosphere-to-the-rise-of

01/26/2026

REEL MEN EVENT 🎬💪

We’re fired up for our next REEL MEN event!!

We’ll be screening the powerful documentary 100 Miles to Redemption—and the man behind the story, Shawn Livingston I Am Redemption, lives right here in Austin and will be joining us in person for a live Q&A and open discussion after the film.

Date: February 21st
Location: Millennium Theatre
1023 Hargrave St, Austin, TX
Doors open at 7:00pm

🎟 Donation-based event
💵 $10 suggested donation to RSVP

RSVP link: https://www.strong.love/event-details/reel-men-men-movies-and-mental-health-february-event

100 Miles to Redemption is a documentary following U.S. Army veteran Shawn Livingston as he attempts to complete a 100-mile ultramarathon while navigating recovery from PTSD and substance use disorder. The film explores the intersections of trauma, addiction, resilience, and mental health, highlighting the impact of these struggles on individuals and families. Through Livingston’s journey, the documentary opens space for honest conversation about mental health, recovery, and the role of purpose and community in healing.

This is more than a movie night. It’s a space for men, and those who love them, to come together, have real conversations, share experiences, and support one another through life’s challenges. Exactly what we’re about at STRONG Men’s Mental Health Initiative—promoting conversation around how we can improve ourselves, work together, and be stronger together as we navigate difficult seasons of life.

We’d love to see you there—bring a friend and be part of something meaningful.

REEL MEN presents a screening of the documentary 100 Miles to Redemption, followed by a live audience Q&A.

01/21/2026

Last week we were back at our usual spot for Books & Brews with the STRONG men’s mental health initiative—and it was a damn good night.

We dug into I Used to Be a Miserable Fck* by John Kim , and the conversation was real, honest, and wide open. Guys showed up, shared their thoughts, challenged each other, and talked about what they’re taking with them moving forward in their own lives.

What stood out most wasn’t just the book—it was the vulnerability. Men opening up. Listening. Connecting. No masks, no ego. Just real conversations in a room full of guys who want to be better and support each other.

This is what STRONG is about. Community. Connection. Brotherhood. Men coming together over a book—but building something much bigger than that.

Grateful for everyone who showed up and made the space what it was. We’ll keep doing this. 💪📚🍻

12/23/2025

This is the line that most of the comments on my TEDxTalk have highlighted as impactful. What are your thoughts?

Here's the whole talk if you want to check it out: https://youtu.be/4r6zC9BzPrM?si=bGyubcWYTNzDqFTo

12/16/2025

My TEDx talk is officially live!!!! ✨🙌

https://youtu.be/4r6zC9BzPrM?si=_tep8S6xs88fzilJ

Less than twenty-four hours ago, Why Unhappy Relationships Feel So Lonely: 4 Skills for Modern Romance went up on YouTube.
As of right now, it’s already passed 13.5K views!! Honestly, I’m still letting that sink in.. and I'm so grateful this talk is resonating with so many people.

This talk exists because I’m tired of the story we’re being sold about modern love.

The problem isn’t a gender war.
It’s not that people are “too much” or “not enough.”
It’s that we’re trying to build emotionally connected relationships using outdated maps designed for survival and function—not connection.

We were taught to partner up, but we were not taught how to relate or be successful in those partnerships!

In this talk, I share what I’ve learned from years of working with couples and individuals at the breaking point: connection isn’t magic or chemistry—it’s a set of skills. Specifically, the 4 S’s of Safety:

Self-Awareness

Stability

Self-Regulation

Self-Expression

When those skills are missing, relationships don’t just feel hard—they feel lonely, even when you’re not alone.

The response to this talk tells me something important:
People aren’t looking for sides.
They’re looking for tools.
They’re looking for a way back to each other.

If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll watch, share it with someone you love (or someone you’re struggling to love right now), and start practicing these skills together. That’s where real change happens.

Thank you for the support, the messages, and the conversations this talk is already sparking.
This is why I do this work—and I’m just getting started.

💛

12/02/2025

Holiday Builds & Bonds Fundraising Drive and Volunteer Day for Partnerships for Children

Want to change the world? Start with one child who needs to feel remembered.

This season, we're teaming up with Partnerships for Children helping 10 Texas foster kids get the Christmas they deserve.

$100 = 1 child = one unforgettable holiday.
Goal: $1,000 by December 16th.
If you’ve got heart, this is your moment.

Donate: https://strongmen.betterworld.org/campaigns/giving-kids-christmas

Want to do more than click a link? Come get hands-on.

Join us for our Builds & Bonds Volunteer Night
🗓️ December 10th
🕓 5–7 PM
📍 Partnerships for Children Warehouse

We’ll be wrapping gifts, creating joy, and proving—once again—that STRONG is love in action.

Sign Up to Volunteer: https://www.strong.love/event-details/builds-and-bonds-holiday-toy-drive-and-volunteer-day

Be the reason a kid feels seen this Christmas. Take a STRONG step toward being the change in the world you want to see.

11/26/2025

RSVP HERE
https://sweatpals.com/event/stand-strong-community-workout-in-support-of-mens-mental-health

11/24/2025

What a great event!! Thanks to all who attended, donated, and supported this movement for Men's Health Month!! 💪💙