The Break Free Weekly Newsletter - Edition #5
Elk Hunting & Embracing the Change
Opening Remarks: Elk Hunting & Embracing Change
Getting in late last night from my annual elk hunting trip in the stunning mountains of Colorado and reflecting on the past few days of adventure with my Dad and girlfriend, I couldn’t help but smile. Each year, elk hunting is a sacred time to enter the mountains, reflect on the past year, and return renewed.
One thing that remains constant, both in the hunt and in life, is change. Whether planned or unexpected, change shapes our environment in countless ways: natural, societal, relational, physical, and mental.
For elk hunting, change is ever-present. Weather conditions, terrain, and the movements of other hunters all influence the trajectory of the trip. Elk are elusive creatures, constantly adapting to their environment, using every advantage to remain cloaked in the timber and live another day. That’s what makes the challenge of harvesting one a worthy pursuit—it requires patience, adaptability, and persistence.
This year, the weather was ideal for the hunt: snow on the ground, clear skies, and little wind. Each morning, we rose early, picked a new area to hike, and scanned for fresh elk tracks, our ears tuned to the echoing discharge of distant rifles. Although we didn’t harvest an elk this year, the experience was far from fruitless. We adapted to the ever-changing perceptions of where elk might be moving and cherished the rewards of comradery, gratitude, and the serenity of being outdoors, untethered from the internet and the hustle of daily life.
However, the final day reminded me of how suddenly change can arrive. As we packed up camp, the winds shifted, ushering in a white sky and constant snowfall. What began as a smooth ride back to Denver quickly turned into a white-knuckle journey. A massive accident on Vail Pass forced us to reroute through a harrowing mountain pass near Leadville, where icy conditions sent vehicles crashing into embankments.
The unexpected snowstorm stretched our trip home by six hours, testing our patience and resilience. But amidst the detours and challenges, I found a valuable reminder: change is inevitable, but how we respond to it determines whether we grow stronger or remain stuck.
In our hunt for a better life—a life free from the shackles of porn use, filled with vivid connections, compassion, and the triumph of conquered challenges - ask yourself: How are you embracing the present? How are you embracing change?
Are you waiting for the environment to shift on its own or for help to come? Or are you adapting, sharpening your tools, and rising to meet the challenges in your path?
Featured Articles
Overcoming the Passion of Lust - A Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Pornography Use
I recently collaborated on this expansive guide on overcoming Lust and Pornography Use with fellow Substack Author
. It was an honor and pleasure to work with him and expand upon this important topic. ’s publication focuses on his “personal journey from the LDS church to the Orthodox church” - Please check him out!This is a poem I wrote about decoding desire in a digital world. Where are you drawing the line online?
How Porn Can Fuel Sex Trafficking
“Sex trafficking shares a variety of symbiotic connections to pornography. Even in the production of mainstream porn, sex trafficking can still occur—and it happens more often than most people think.”
Practical Tips: 30 Day Podcast Challenge
Listen to 1 porn-free podcast episode each day for 30 days
This is a strategy I implemented about 5 years ago that jumpstarted my journey of recovery. I remember hitting rock bottom after my wife at the time caught me in the act and journeying up to the mountains of Colorado for a couple of days of solitude with my dog Bo. I spent my time reading, journaling, listening to Porn Free Radio (about 20 episodes in a short amount of time and then continuous daily episodes once I got back into town), and fly fishing. I look back at that time as a pivotal turning point in my life of self-discovery. That time spent in solitude encouraged me to get help and start pursuing this challenge with more intentionality and vigor.
When you educate yourself on this topic, you will begin to understand what you need to do in your life to change your trajectory.
Give this challenge a shot and let me know how it goes!
Podcasts to listen to:
Community Spotlight
Truth & Grace Can Make a Difference: Great Words from Tom
“Speak Truth with Grace.
Identify evil and separate the human from the influence of the enemy.
Hate the sin, not the sinner.”
Reflection
Be.
Just be.
Get outside.
Bask in the sun.
Stare as the clouds pass by.
Gaze at the stars with wonder.
Hold your loved one tight.
Laugh at absurdity.
Cry when you need to.
Smile whenever you can.
Today, give yourself permission to just be.
Additional Resources
Books of the Month:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson
Porn Free: Becoming the Type of Man Who Does Not Look at Porn by Matt Dobschuetz
Porn Free Millennial Podcasts:
19. The Art of Defiance: Sir Silver Star's Approach to Living Fully & Conquering Challenges
15. Leaving a Lasting Impact: How Do You Want to be Remembered?
Apps to Help You Stay Focused On Your Recovery:
Freedom - Blocks distracting apps
Stay Focused - Limits your screen time
Sober - Tracks your sobriety down to the second
1:1 Momentum Building Sessions - Email pornfreemillennialcoaching@gmail.com for a free consultation.
Closing Remarks: Whatever is ahead
Look out at the horizon of your life and consider what lies ahead. The future is full of unknowns, challenges, and opportunities - each waiting to be experienced. You have the power to choose how you will face those moments.
Your actions today are your preparations for tomorrow. Every choice you make now shapes the way you’ll navigate what’s to come. So, prepare yourself - not with fear or hesitation, but with intention and presence.
When moments arise that threaten to derail your progress, you can meet them with strength and clarity. You’ll be ready - not because life is predictable, but because you’ve chosen to live with purpose and awareness.
great - thought provoking post
"Are you waiting for the environment to shift on its own or for help to come? Or are you adapting, sharpening your tools, and rising to meet the challenges in your path?"
you made me think that when we deal with addictions - it's good to ask for help (if you can) and head off the challenges at the pass and be proactive:
3 valuable tactics that work for me:
1. block out time for your vice - and mark it done like another work task
2. remove the triggers from your environment - this is hard and kind of a loop but it works well
3. never be bored. this is probably IMHO the most powerful driver to porn and other additions
if your time is blocked out with deep work/revenue-generating/customer-supporting work - you will not be bored
I guarantee it