Grateful
The Break Free Weekly Newsletter - Edition #27
I write this now in deep gratitude.
About two years ago, I embarked on my first mountain voyage with my two dogs and RV, on the hunt for turkey in the Colorado mountains.
Yesterday, I drove up the same winding and bumpy dirt road, this time in my Jeep (Honestly, I don’t know what possessed me to drive my RV up that road two years ago, or how I somehow got it tucked into the forest relatively unscathed → generator pipe ripped off and all)!
As I drove up the roads leading from my old campsite into the deep woods that I walked two years ago, I was hit with a deep sense of gratitude for this life I have and for the belief that I had in myself to keep pushing the boundaries of the unknown post-divorce.
Two years ago, I felt like I was walking uphill each day trying to comprehend what direction I was going on this road. In many ways this process felt messy, inefficient, and confusing.
Trying to put one foot in front of the other can feel excruciating when you're carrying the heavy weight of shame and regret.
It slows your steps, making each decision feel like you're teetering on a precarious precipice, especially after you've lost something as foundational as your identity.
The molasses of the mind can create a pool of stagnation if we aren’t careful and if we stay too long in this space, we start to sink.
Sink into addiction, depression, and hopelessness.
We need to move.
We need to be going somewhere. Pursuing something.
We need to embrace the unknown when what we are sure of isn’t working.
Each step leads us somewhere, even if we don’t see the destination yet.
Why retrace my steps back to what broke us, when we are being called to walk towards what will rebuild us?
The familiar might feel safer, but it’s often the familiar that undermined our trajectory in the first place.
Growth demands a different road.
A rougher, less-traveled one.
One that asks for more faith than certainty.
Looking back on those early days of new adventure, I realize now, it wasn’t about knowing exactly where I was headed.
It was about being willing to walk at all when the path was unclear.
It was about trusting that the simple act of moving forward would, eventually, reveal something worth finding.
Gratitude isn’t just for the victories.
It’s for the valleys too.
The lonely roads, the heavy steps, the moments when you choose to keep going even when everything inside you tells you to turn back or stay put.
Today, I drive these roads not as a man lost, but as a man being shaped → one step, one mile, one unknown at a time.
To more adventures into the uncertain.
To paving a new path of purpose.
To being grateful for it all.
Aim to embrace gratitude this week.
Much Love,
Mac
How Do You Choose to Live?
👉 Guest Article:
As I reflect on the importance of gratitude and moving forward, I couldn’t help but think of a powerful article by that digs into a subtle but crucial truth:
Modern life numbs us to our unmet needs. It buries our hunger for real connection, real purpose, and real movement forward, sometimes without us even noticing.
Adam’s piece is a timely reminder to slow down, tune in, and honor the needs that truly matter.
If you’re looking for a read that will help you reconnect with what’s real beneath the noise, I highly recommend checking it out.
✍️ A Porn Free Millennial poem about smiling, smiling despite. One of my first poems I’ve written and one of my favorites.
🎙️Podcast Clip: In this clip, military resilience instructor unpacks the meaning of stress and how to develop resilience to manage/overcome stress in life. I’m grateful for Kyle hopping on to the podcast to share his extensive expertise!
Community Spotlight
Great advice from
about the importance of patience in life.52 Weeks of Freedom Series
52 Weeks of Freedom Series: Welcome to 2025, the year of Undivided Triumph! I'm dedicated to helping you achieve a porn-free year with a structured, week-by-week plan, a post each Friday this year, that builds a strong foundation for your future.
Join the Journey: Start with Week 1 - The Year Ahead – Recognizing the Problem and become part of the Porn Free Millennial community committed to breaking free from porn addiction.
For the whole collection - see this section of my publication.
Reflection
Additional Resources
Book of the Month that I am currently reading:
Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday
Porn Free Millennial Podcast of the Week:
45. How to Build & Maintain a Resilient Identity with Military Resilience and Fitness Instructor - Kyle Shepard
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Kyle Shepard who is a military resilience instructor, author of Resilient Mental State, fitness coach, and father → to dive deep into what it really means to build and sustain a resilient identity. Kyle shares lessons from 12+ years of serving in the U.S. Navy, training service members to overcome extreme stress, and his personal journey of over…
Apps to Help You Stay Focused On Your Recovery:
Ever Accountable - I am proud to be partnering with the Accountability App Ever Accountable. Through my partnership, I can provide a 20% discount. Click the links for details!
Freedom - Blocks distracting apps
Stay Focused - Limits your screen time
I am Sober - Tracks your sobriety down to the second
1:1 Momentum Coaching
💬 What You’ll Get from Coaching with Me
🔥 A Personalized Roadmap to Freedom
Tailored to your story and goals → we’ll work to uncover the root of your struggle, and strategize how to shift your identity toward freedom.
🚀 Momentum That Lasts
You don’t need more willpower → you need systems, habits, and a mindset built for freedom.
🛡️ A Judgment-Free Zone
This is a safe space for honesty and healing → zero shame, all support.
📈 Accountability That Works
You’ll have someone in your corner, helping you stay on track and keep growing.
If you are ready to take your recovery to the next level - message me and we will set-up a free 30-minute consultation to discuss where you are currently at with your recovery and where you want to be.
Your Challenge for the Week:
This week, slow down enough to notice what you’ve already overcome.
Instead of only focusing on where you wish you were, take time to honor how far you’ve already come, even if the progress feels messy or incomplete.
Gratitude is about seeing clearly.
Let that vision fuel your next step forward.
Closing Thoughts:
Life will always try to pull us into the chaos → the regrets of yesterday, the worries of tomorrow.
But real life happens right here, in the moments we dare to fully show up for.
You have fought hard to be here.
Don’t rush past the reward.
Reclaim it.
Relish it.
Enjoy it.
Break Free.
Stay Free.
Be Free.
Keep fighting the good fight!
P.S. If this resonated with you, like this post and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
And if you have thoughts or questions, I’d love to hear from you, leave a comment or send me a message!
Become a Paid Subscriber:
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As a paid subscriber, here’s what you now have access to:
💡 1:1 Coaching Discount – Get 15% off one-hour coaching sessions to accelerate your progress. (If you're interested, email me at pornfreemillennialcoaching@gmail.com or message me for a free consultation!)
➡️ Weekly 52 Weeks of Freedom Series Friday Posts – A step-by-step guide to help you build momentum and break free from porn prison, one week at a time.
🎙️ Monthly Paid Subscriber Podcast – I’ll dive into your questions and cover key topics to provide deeper insights and practical strategies.
🎥 Monthly Workshop Livestream (Starting in April) – An exclusive monthly workshop focused on practical ways to build momentum and gain traction in your recovery paired with real-time feedback to questions from paid subscribers.
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Founding Members Enjoy Even More:
20% Discount on all 1:1 Momentum Building Coaching Sessions.
A special recognition as one of the early supporters of this mission, helping to shape the future of this community.
Your support as a paid subscriber not only enhances your personal journey but also helps sustain and grow this platform, allowing me to continue creating impactful content and providing valuable resources. Thank you for being an essential part of this thriving community!
Personal Coaching: A Path to Freedom
Are you feeling stuck in the cycle of porn addiction and seeking a way out? My personal coaching sessions are designed to help you regain control, build momentum, and provide you the tools to live a life free from the destructive behavior of porn addiction.
What You Can Expect from Coaching with Me:
Personalized Guidance: Every individual’s journey is unique. I tailor each session to your specific needs, challenges, and goals, ensuring that you receive support that resonates with your personal experiences.
Momentum Building: The road to recovery begins with small, consistent steps. I’ll help you identify actionable strategies to build momentum, stay on track, and create sustainable change in your life.
Safe and Supportive Environment: I understand the courage it takes to confront these challenges. My coaching sessions provide a safe, non-judgmental space where you can openly discuss your struggles and progress.
Accountability and Encouragement: Recovery is a journey, and it’s easier with someone by your side. I’ll be here to hold you accountable, celebrate your victories, and help you navigate any setbacks with resilience.
Who Can Benefit?
Anyone ready to break free from the grip of porn addiction.
Individuals seeking to rebuild their self-esteem and relationships.
Those who want to understand the root causes of their addiction and develop healthier habits.
Session Details:
Duration: 1-hour sessions
Format: Remote (via Zoom)
Frequency: Tailored to your needs, whether it’s a one-time session or ongoing support.
Exclusive Discounts for Subscribers:
Paid Substack Monthly & Yearly Members: 15% discount on coaching sessions
Founding Substack Members: 20% discount
How to Get Started:
Book a Free 30-min 1:1 Coaching consultation here
Where Else You Can Find Me
Let’s thrive together and break the chains that bind us!
Podcast: Listen to the Porn Free Millennial podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Substack: Explore my fictional writings on Mac’s Musings Substack.
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Thank you for being a part of this transformative journey!
Proud of you mate. What a journey. 👊