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How Men Turn Pain Into Unbreakable Strength (ft. Alan Lazaros) Grit Part 1
Description
Most men think grit means suffering in silence — but they’re dead wrong. In this episode, Tim Wienecke sits down with Alan Lazaros, Co-Host of Next Level University, to challenge the myth that toughness is endless grinding. From growing up fatherless to surviving a near-fatal car crash, Alan shares how sadness can signal growth, how mentors fill the gap of absent fathers, and why grit is less about white-knuckle endurance and more about skills you build through reflection and practice.
What You’ll Learn:
• Why sadness and setbacks often mark growth, not weakness
• How mentorship can buffer the impact of father absence
• Why grit is a skill you can learn, not a trait you’re born with
• How self-control strengthens your brain’s “willpower network”
• Why men avoid therapy and what that means for resilience
• The truth behind the “3% written goals” myth
Chapters:
00:00 – Defining grit vs. grind
02:15 – Father absence & mentorship
05:30 – Growth and the “Santa Claus” analogy
09:30 – Grit as a learned skill
16:00 – The car crash that changed everything
22:00 – Fitness as metaphor for grit
29:00 – Willpower and the brain
37:00 – Men bond side-by-side
45:00 – Why so few men go to therapy
52:00 – The written goals myth
59:00 – Takeaways and next steps
Full Show Notes: www.empoweredchangece.com/americanmasculinity
→ Next Level University: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/
→ Alan Lazaros on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/
The American Masculinity Podcast™ is hosted by Timothy Wienecke licensed psychotherapist, Air Force veteran, and men’s advocate.
Real conversations about masculinity, mental health, growth, and how men can show up better as partners, leaders, and friends.
We focus on grounded tools, not yelling or clichés. If you have questions or want a tool for something you're wrestling with, leave a comment or send a message, your feedback shapes what we build next.
Note: While this doesn’t replace therapy, it might help you notice something worth exploring.