EP209: Geoff Tomlinson - Why Men Need A Men's Group Part 2
Release Date: 08/13/2025
The Sovereign Man Podcast
“It’s about improving who you are, not just by thinking, but by actual work.” Strength isn’t only about how you look or how much you lift—it’s about what you can actually do. Especially when conditions are unpredictable. Real capability shows up when the environment isn’t controlled, when the ground is uneven, when fatigue sets in, and when stress demands calm instead of panic. Physical preparedness becomes a moral responsibility when it determines whether you can help yourself or others. This episode explores the difference between appearance-based fitness and...
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“We somehow get in our heads that we’re doing it for the family.” Most men don’t lose their marriage in one dramatic moment—they lose it slowly, through absence. Long hours, constant pressure, and the belief that providing financially is the same as being present creates a quiet gap that keeps widening. Work becomes the excuse, then the identity, then the hiding place. Over time, family life adapts without the man at the center of it, and resentment grows where connection used to live. From the guest’s perspective, ultimatums rarely come out of nowhere. They show...
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“If men can’t articulate what masculinity is, like what they think is good about it, they are just going to get run over by these people who’ve spent years studying gender theory.” Strength, courage, mastery, and honour form a solid framework for understanding masculinity. These traits aren’t trends or preferences; they are patterns that show up across cultures and eras because they emerge from how men survive, protect, and cooperate. Masculinity is recognized intuitively, measured against who can be relied on under pressure, and reinforced by reputation inside a group that...
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"People in general, young people need purpose. They need a vision.” Building a trades business teaches discipline, work ethic, and responsibility. Foundational elements for a man. But there’s an opportunity that can be built on this experience. Mastery in the trades isn’t just about doing the work well; it’s about understanding systems, and recognizing where value is created beyond the job itself. Once a man has his 10,000 hours, his perspective changes. His role shifts from worker to authority. Michael Cappa is a young trades entrepreneur who’s building a...
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“When something real comes up in your life, who do you talk to about it?” Men don’t lose their edge because they stop trying—they lose it because they try to do everything alone. Brotherhood creates a space where men are forced to see themselves clearly, confront patterns that no longer serve them, and stay anchored to purpose when life gets unstable. Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when men are challenged, reflected, and held to a higher standard by other men who care enough to tell the truth. Eric Axelrod talks about his experience with men’s work....
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“Men have a very tricky responsibility and they have to walk down this very narrow line.” Living with conviction means standing firm when the cost is real—socially, financially, and emotionally. It requires clarity about what matters, a willingness to tolerate discomfort, and the discipline to speak honestly even when silence would be safer. When men lose the courage to say what they believe, the consequences ripple outward—into families, culture, and the next generation. Eric Edmeades understands the personal price of telling the truth, from navigating family courts...
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“Organizations like ours attract people to them when they have standards. Men see an opportunity for themselves to develop and get better and grow.” A strong men’s organization, the kind that truly serves men, grows by enforcing a high standard. This creates an environment where men are challenged to rise and attracts the men who are ready to do just that. Invite the right men in, set clear standards, and be willing to remove those who refuse to show up, engage, or improve. When these standards are clear and unwavering, the culture is strong and builds momentum. This...
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“The night before battle, warriors would check each other for wounds. That’s what a good men’s group does.” Men aren’t designed to carry everything alone. Strength isn’t built in isolation—it’s forged through loyalty, shared struggle, and honest reflection. When men try to solve life entirely in their own heads, pressure compounds. Expectations rise, purpose blurs, and silence becomes dangerous. Brotherhood isn’t a luxury; it’s a stabilizing force that keeps a man grounded, accountable, and connected to who he really is. Throughout this conversation, the...
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“I just want to focus on what I love doing, what lights me up, what brings me joy.” A man who wants his freedom back must first learn where his time is leaking. Most entrepreneurs stay overwhelmed because they confuse being busy with being effective. This episode leans into the principles behind reclaiming time—cutting low-value noise, raising the value of your hours, and deliberately structuring life so your business stops owning you. George Rivera and Michael Santonato explore what it really means to shift from “doing everything” to doing only what moves the...
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“Most of our stress in life comes from all of the incompletions in our lives.” A man becomes hard to shake when he learns to clean up the small things: his word, his boundaries, and the promises he keeps. Strength shows up in clarity, not noise. When a man knows what he can take on—and what he can’t—life stops pulling him off centre. This episode leans into the quiet disciplines that make a man steady from the inside out. Bruce Muzik shares insights from years working inside one of the toughest personal-development environments on the planet. He talks about...
info_outline“And it is nothing more than a construct you've created because you don't want to change, or you're afraid of change, or you're afraid of the truth inside of the lie. And inside of that lie lies the transformation you actually seek.”
A strong men’s group isn’t just a pit stop for fixing a single problem—it’s a forge where character is hammered, sharpened, and kept battle-ready for life’s curveballs. The real value comes from staying in the fire long after the immediate issue is solved. Surface wins—like a better marriage or a stronger career—are just the entry point. The deeper transformation comes from years of honest feedback, blind-spot exposure, and seeing other men walk through the storms you haven’t faced yet.
Geoff Tomlinson drives home that lasting change requires long-haul commitment. Short-term fixes often mask the real issues that quietly resurface later. Staying means you not only face your own lies and patterns but also learn through the struggles of other men—divorce, loss, career upheaval—before they happen to you. And over time, you give back, becoming the man who asks the question that changes someone else’s life.
Geoff Tomlinson has spent 28 years in men’s work, helping men move beyond quick fixes into true transformation. He’s seen first-hand how the right group of committed men can reshape a man’s relationships, career, and inner life. Known for his direct approach, Jeff blends decades of hard-earned wisdom with practical tools to keep men sharp, self-aware, and battle-tested.
You’re invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you’re there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.