Old wounds don’t disappear. They resurface when life presses on the bruise.

In this episode, I share a moment at the firehall that triggered the wound I still carry from my dad—his absence, his silence, his refusal to acknowledge me. I talk openly about the anger that came up, the deeper longing underneath it, and the fear of inheriting parts of him I never wanted.

But more importantly, I walk through how I’ve learned to meet that pain differently. Not as the hurt son still waiting for validation, but as the man I’ve chosen to become.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever been touched by an old wound and wondered why it still stings. The truth is, the work isn’t about erasing it. It’s about deciding who you’ll be when it returns.

Takeaway: Will you meet it as the hurt child still waiting, or as the adult who can lead himself forward?

Aligning Your Life: A Framework for Living by Your Core Values

In this episode, Matt Clark shares a personal story about feeling disconnected despite outward success. He reveals that the root cause for many men feeling 'off' is not burnout, but misalignment with their core values. Matt introduces a practical three-step framework for realigning life: honest reflection, identifying non-negotiable values, and using a daily values filter. He provides actionable steps to help men discover and live by their true values, ensuring sustainable success and fulfillment. Matt also offers a free 'Self-Led Man Starter Kit' to help men dive deeper into this transformative work.

00:00 A Moment of Realization

00:43 The Core Issue: Misalignment

01:06 Introducing the Daily Truths

01:32 The Grind Without Alignment

02:28 Three Steps to Realign Your Life

02:40 Step 1: Honest Reflection

03:07 Step 2: Name Your Non-Negotiables

03:40 Step 3: Daily Values Filter

04:02 The Bigger Picture

04:28 Self-Leadership and Final Thoughts

05:19 Resources and Next Steps

There’s a moment I’ll never forget.

I was sleeping in the basement. My relationship was over. I was coaching football at the pro level — the thing I had worked so hard to get to — but I felt completely lost.

And then one day, my six-year-old daughter looked me in the eyes and asked:

“Daddy… why aren’t you happy anymore?”

That one sentence cracked me open.

It forced me to face the truth I was avoiding:I wasn’t leading my life — I was just surviving it.

This episode is about that moment.The realization that success on the outside doesn’t mean fulfillment on the inside.And how that moment with my daughter became the first step on the path to living with alignment, purpose, and truth.

Reflection Prompt

When was the last time you felt truly aligned, like you were living your life, not just performing it?

And if it’s been a while…

What’s one small step you can take this week to come back to yourself?

Free Resource for You

If you’re ready to reconnect with what matters most, I created a free guide to help you take the first step.

The Self-Led Man Starter KitIncludes:

* A values discovery worksheet

* Morning and evening prompts

* The 3x5 movement tracker

* Weekly intention and reflection pages

Download it here: The Self-Led Man Starter Kit | Free Guide to Purpose, Strength & Self-Leadership

Ready for a Real Conversation?

If this episode hit home and you’re tired of doing it all on your own, let’s talk.

You can book a free coaching call with me. No pressure. Just a real conversation about where you’re stuck and what it might look like to move forward.

Book your call here: mcstrength.fit/free-coaching-call