Every man carries forces that pull against each other. It could be the urge to numb out and the call to face it, the inheritance of his father's failures and the responsibility to break the chain. For Michael Millin, those opposing forces weren't a metaphor. They were the difference between a life lost to addiction and the 17 years of sobriety he's built since hitting bottom with his back against the wall.
Today, Michael and I talk about generational trauma, the instability of growing up with a father who came in and out of his life, and what it actually takes to stop running from the pain you've spent your whole life numbing. This is a raw conversation about alcoholism, faith, and the lie that we have to wrap our identity up in being broken. Michael shares how he went from mocking Christianity to wrestling honestly with God, how a single sober friend changed the trajectory of his life, and why enablers do more damage than they'll ever admit. If you've ever told yourself you weren't okay, this one is for you.
Michael Millin is a professional surfer, author, and advocate for men battling addiction and the generational trauma that fuels it. He grew up watching legends like Kelly Slater and Rob Machado and his early life was marked by an unstable family and a father who drifted in and out, eventually relapsing in front of his son. That instability set the stage for his own descent into alcoholism, a battle he fought until he had no choice left but to change.
Now 17 years sober, Michael is the author of A Life of Opposing Forces, a book that confronts the internal war between self-destruction and redemption head-on. He's the founder of FurtherActive and a voice for men who feel trapped by the same cycles he escaped. Through his work, his surf community, and his faith, Michael challenges the intellectualized atheism he once hid behind and offers men a hard-won truth: you don't have to stay the person your pain made you.
Look, here's the deal. Every man listening to this knows there's a gap between who he is and who he's supposed to be. The problem is, most men try to close that gap alone and they fail alone. That's exactly why the Iron Council exists.
Tonight (Tuesday, June 9th at 8:00 PM Eastern) we're hosting a live Iron Council Preview Call, and I want you on it. This is your chance to see exactly what it looks like to surround yourself with men who refuse to settle, men who hold the line, and men who will not let you coast through a mediocre life. No fluff. No soft talk. Just a brotherhood of men committed to becoming better fathers, leaders, and warriors.
If you're tired of doing this on your own, stop. Get in the game. Registration is open. Head to www.theironcouncil.com/preview and lock in your spot for tonight's call. June 9th, 8 PM Eastern. Your back's against the wall, brother. Let's go to work.
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