One hundred and fifty slots. That's it. British anthropologist Robin Dunbar linked the size of the human neocortex (the most recently evolved part of our brain) to our capacity for managing social connections. Dunbar's Number is the idea that your brain can only handle about 150 stable social relationships at one time. Critics of the model suggest it's overly simplistic, but here's the deal... If you use it as a model instead of a measuring tool, it's 100% accurate in conveying the limitations of our "loving". There are two (plus a bonus) major hurdles when it comes to men building and maintaining sustainable alliances in this modern world: 1- The challenge of designing a tribe that flourishes through properly investing in those within the tribe's walls. 2- The challenge of engaging those outside of tribe in alliances that benefit both parties while staying within the boundaries of the alliance. Bonus: Not mixing these two up! Understand relationships and you understand maximizing value-based growth. At this point, I've spent thousands of hours in one on one coaching sessions with men and every hurdle I've helped them overcome falls into one of those two categories. I currently have 2 openings in my Pressure Process coaching program. Are you ready to step up and work with me one-on-one to break through the barriers keeping you from being the man your family and tribe deserve? Reply to this email with "COACHING" in the subject line, and I'll send you the application to begin your transformation. Spots are always limited, and this opportunity won't wait... if you're serious about making real changes, now is the time you'll act. From the Lab, MC

When I design shirts, whereas I certainly make them for sale, I design them to wear them. I find a message I literally want to see repetitively and leverage its message to further condition myself to stay on mission. My latest shirt, Locked In, is no different. The concept of being "locked in" is currently enjoying some meme power online and with this one, it seems the kids are getting it right. Being locked in is the opposite of being distracted. No where is this more a concern than online. If you've never given it any thought, it would be understandable that you'd want to extend every real world courtesy to those you encounter online. But after years of experience doing just that, at some point the average internet-goer must admit that too many strangers have access to affecting their day. I block every weirdo, tough guy, and parasite online because I want to remove all possibility of them distracting me from my day's mission. There is little to no value in winning arguments online with strangers. There is zero value in interacting with bots and weirdos. There is an actual liability in threatening people online. That's why I block them all. They're not real. They're not relevant. And they're certainly not worth my locked in approach to conquering my day. FYI, this weekend is the last opportunity to get the Locked In shirt. After that, it'll be offline. Get One HERE While You Can. From the Lab, MC

Grown men should know better than to communicate the way women do. Society needs women to be empathetic, more emotionally aware nurturers. Society needs men to shut the f*ck up and get sh*t done. Men 100% SHOULD suppress their emotions, allowing for their processing in times and spaces that minimize vulnerability in the eyes of those vying for the same resources. Our communication to those outside the tribe should be productive and effective. Inside the tribe is where we're expected to recharge, reset, and remind ourselves of the mission. The mindset strategies learned from and applied to the real world come from being connected and present when venturing beyond the wall. From a recent post on Three Roads: "If we deny ourselves the clarity that comes from facing reality, we trade preparedness for vulnerability… and that vulnerability can devastate us in moments when strength is required." Never pretend your emotions do not exist. Just train them to behave themselves in public. From the Lab, MC

The people you surround yourself with will do either of two things: 1- They'll drive you forward 2- They'll get in the way. On the former, these are folks that help you maintain a high state, reclaim it when it falters, and provide a synergy that is a gift that keeps on giving. The second group? These people managed to get inside the wall, their alliance no longer produces a synergy, and they refuse to stop benefiting at your expense. Find more Number 1's... Whether it's a mindset/strategy group like my Three Roads or just a new group of folks doing the "right" things, functional alliance will always enhance a man's best efforts. Upgrade or repel Number 2's... The answer to not being able to get the anchor off the floor is never to get a motor strong enough to drag it. The best solution will always be becoming strong enough to pull it up off the floor or, as in most cases, cutting it loose so you can continue your journey. The saying goes, "Nothing changes if nothing changes". What isn't mentioned is the strength and clarity you'll need to change it... which is always on YOU. From the Lab, MC

Buzz Lightyear is jacked. Even real astronauts know that if they don't keep themselves in peak physical condition, there'll be hell to pay when they land. Because of the weightlessness of space, when an astronaut doesn't apply resistance to his body while there, a few things happen: His muscles atrophy... He loses the ability to move things in the environment. His bone density diminishes... He reduces his ability to bear weight. His conditioning erodes... He can't endure any work for long. Many men in today's society are wrongly under the impression that "Comfort is Success". Comfort does to your body and mind exactly what space does. Comfort will turn an apex predator to prey. Comfort will get you killed. As men, if we don't apply resistance to our days, everything that makes us valuable will begin to whither away. I've been helping men apply resistance and build beyond complacency for over 20 years. Registration to my mastermind group for men, Three Roads, will be closed most of the year. But right now, you can start a FREE 7 DAY TRIAL to test drive the experience I've created for the men of my Three Roads tribe. Learn more HERE