It seems these days every time you turn on the TV, or open up your internet browser, we see another scandal involving a man. It’s most polarizing in Hollyweird, where some of your favorite actors, musicians, and comedians are being accused, and ultimately confessing to, lewd sexual conduct. This speaks to some sort of narcissistic privilege, where a “celebrity” is inserting their perceived power over women. Both egotistical and disgusting, but nothing new. This has been happening in certain cultures since the beginning of time.

EnhanceGuest UserNovember 12, 2017Masculinity, ego, Toxicity Comment

The Stogie Chronicles: An Evening At The Carnegie Club

When I sent out a bat call for Mastermind Connect members to join me for The Stogie Chronicles Scotch and Cigars series I’m doing for the Cigar Casa project, our members answered the call at the ready!

We had a blast at The Carnegie Club, a very classy joint in midtown Manhattan, learning about cigar etiquette while sipping on aged Scotch Whiskey, listening to lively jazz music in the background, and smoking delicious stogies from the folks at Hispaniola Cigars.

The Spiritual Write Up

The Mastermind Connect hosted the 2nd edition of The EleMENtal Project series titled “Spiritual Warrior.” Besides moderating an all star panel, we had the privilege of using the New Inc space at the Bowery, NYC.

In the midst of orchestrating 1,000 moving parts, we had a full house of attentive guests that served up just the right questions to bring about thought-provoking answers from the panelists. So thought provoking, in fact, that many attendees were able to begin the process of identifying and addressing their own fears, doubts, and (not so hidden) pains, sharing them openly to a room full of strangers.

A Primer on Meditation | The Art of Manliness

When you hear the word “meditation,” you may think of Buddhist monks or Hindu swamis sitting with legs crossed and eyes closed, a New Age pony-tail guy communing with nature in the woods, or wealthy folks sitting in a meditation center in San Francisco.

You likely didn’t think “manly.” And you may not think that meditation has a place in your practical, workaday, red-blooded American life.

But you might change your mind if you give meditation a try. It’s truly a practice that can be useful for any kind of man, whether you’re a granola-loving hippie, a straight-arrow lawyer, or a rough-around-the-edges firefighter. Wherever you are in life, meditation can help bring you closer to becoming the man you want to be.

EnhanceManny AlmonteOctober 10, 2017Meditation, Masculinity, SpiritualityComment

Top 5 Things Every Man Can Learn from Jon Snow

I promised I wouldn't give away any spoilers for those just starting to watch Game of Thrones so I'll do my best to dance around the pertinent details.

Jon was born the bastard son of Eddard Stark, the head of House Stark and Lord Paramount of the North . I guess in these days even a bastard got some sort of preferential treatment. Jon wasn't necessarily a favorite around Winterfell, and was often looked down upon by extended family.

EnhanceGuest UserOctober 4, 2017Jon Snow, Motivation, Game of Thrones Comment

The Saga Continues: Reflections from the Medina

Travel means a great many things to many different people. For some, it is a means of escaping the humdrum of their day-to-day lives, in search of excitement and adventure. For others, a means of fleeing war and turmoil, in search of peace and opportunity. Whatever the inspiration, movement from one place to another has driven development for the entirety of mankind’s existence.

Lifestyle, Motivation, EnhanceJ.D. WeatherspoonOctober 2, 2017Travel, JD Weatherspoon, Medina, Morocco, MarrakeshComment

We Ran a 5K with Dre

What a great weekend with my Mastermind Connect brothers!

When Carlos "Los" Davila and I started planning the group's first 5K run event, I was nervous and excited at the same time. Carlos, Shaun Jenkins and Marlon Briscoe are top notch trainers, who get paid to train people for a living. Who am I to put together a wellness event, when we we have these guys in the group? But running is my thing, and I'm honored these guys allowed me to organize and host it this month.

MC x Rag & Bone Men's Shop Visit

Class. Style. Charm. Three words that accurately portray the aesthetic of the Rag & Bone brand. So much so, that our founder Manny Almonte decided to take a trip to their beautiful men’s only boutique space, located in Tribeca, NYC, to explore the shop and find himself the right pair of jeans for 2017, with the help from members Jason Andrew and Juan Yanez.

Enhance, LifestyleManny AlmonteSeptember 13, 2017Fashion, Fashion Week, NYFW, New York Fashion Week, New York, NYC, NYC Events, Rag & Bone, Jason Andrew, Manny Almonte, Juan Yanez, ShoppingComment

What Should You Start Doing in Your 20s to Have Nothing to Regret at 40?

I came across a great answer to this good question on my Quora feed, and knew that I had to share it with you right away.

Let's have a conversation about what you think about this answer, and what your own experience has been.

BuildManny AlmonteSeptember 12, 2017Quora, Motivation, Build, BuildingComment

Using "No" as Motivation

Many of us begin our journey of self-belief and forget that others may not share the same viewpoint. If we can somehow muster the strength to wake up everyday, feed and nourish ourselves (and others), work a full day, workout, and then clock-in to our own futures, then surely that work ethic will be just as plain to others as it is to ourselves, right?

Wrong.

Build, EnhanceJD WeatherspoonSeptember 5, 2017JD Weatherspoon, Motivation Comment

5 Things I Had to Give Up To be Successful

An uncomfortable but powerful truth that took most of my 20’s to internalize: There’s an opportunity cost to everything worthwhile in life. No matter what you’re trying to accomplish, you’ll have to give up something in order to make it happen.

EnhanceManny AlmonteSeptember 4, 2017MotivationComment

Feel Like You Don’t Fit In? Here’s How to Find Your People

Some fresh advice on identifying and searching for your own community, that ring true to what the Mastermind Connect is all about, from business innovator Nilofer Merchant.

Build, MotivationManny AlmonteSeptember 3, 2017Community, Entrepreneur Comment

Are You Connected?

Wanna tune in? Un-plug.

Distractions are everywhere; on the walls; in front of the windows; on trains, buses, and automobiles. They've been present throughout the entire process of writing this piece. The majority of our waking hours are spent in constant exposure to curated stimuli. Which, in one way or another, does things to a person.

Why Don’t More Men Take Spiritual Trips?

I have a couple of hunches... I think society has not “made it cool” to go on retreats to better themselves. We have a very Las Vegas-like mindset while traveling, and it’s all about escaping instead of going inward.

Enhance, Motivation, LifestyleGuest UserAugust 26, 2017Travel, Spirituality, Mount Shasta, Mental HealthComment

Recap of Think & Drink Mixer at Profundo Pool Club

We love it when a plan comes together!

The brilliant and talented women of The Latinista hosted our Think & Drink mixer at the all new Profundo Pool Club, last night. The weather was perfect and the attendance was off the charts. Mastermind Connect members assembled like Voltron and came out in droves.

LifestyleGuest UserAugust 25, 2017Ravel HotelThink & Drink, Mixers, Events, Profundo Pool Club, Hooch, The Latinista, Ravel HotelComment

Ferries, Fellowship and Fitness at Governors Island

On Saturday, August 19th, the Mastermind Connect group made the ferry ride to Governors Island for a members and friends “Bootcamp” style training event .

More Men Are Taking Antidepressants Than Ever Before

"Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death in men—and untreated depression can act as a possible trigger. So if you think your sadness or other mood symptoms may be something more serious, see your doctor. He or she will be able to determine if something else might be causing your symptoms, like a medication with unpleasant side effects.

Mastermind Connect on: The Importance of Restoration

Fast Company magazine once quoted that the critical 21st century skill will have nothing to do with standard resume fillers like coding or programming. Moving forward, the capacity that will separate the good from the great will be empathy.

Enhance, Build, Every Man Should Know, Give Back, Lifestyle, MotivationJD WeatherspoonAugust 18, 2017Enhance, compassion, empathy, evolution, rejuvinateComment

2017 Tap+Cork: Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest Re-cap

What can we say? The 2017 Tap+Cork: Brooklyn Beer & Wine Fest this past Saturday was a huge success, and the Mastermind Connect team held down the V.I.P. area......

Guest UserAugust 14, 2017 Comment

Havana to the Hamptons

Well, that was quite a week!

Who would have thought, four days before #45 announced that he would be reinstating some of the travel restrictions to Cuba (which is when I purchased my ticket), this trip would be one of the most eye opening, humbling, and thought provoking experiences I’ve had in quite a while. The fact that just a day after my return to New York, I was driving through the affluent neighborhoods of the Hamptons to teach a class, was an incredible cultural juxtaposition. A week after being back, I’m still processing the experience on multiple levels. To make my thoughts more coherent, I will break down my insights/observations and recommendations into a few categories:

Lifestyle, Every Man Should Know, MotivationCarlos DavilaJuly 27, 2017travel, cuba, Carlos Davila, HavanaComment