Good men.

By the looks of my analytics I’m speaking to a gaggle of women.

AND SOME VERY COOL MEN.

This message is for anyone that appreciates men, which I hope is all of you.

Father’s Day was *not* as traumatizing as I was anticipating for Beau and myself. This was our first year without Leland, Beau’s father, my ex-husband. I was low key panicking all week doing my best to cushion the day for him. I spoke with his therapist, I asked a few widowed mama friends about their experience, and then I just prayed for peace and contentment.

The day was lovely.

We went to our old church in Venice. Saw some very dear friends. Went to a family pool hang with more dear friends. Came home and just relaxed. It was prefect. I think his dad would approve. Matt too.

Pastor Mark spoke to the men of the church and it was such a powerful message. He shared this verse and it’s a good one y’all.

1 Corinthians 16:13, which says: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

It encourages believers to be alert, steadfast in their beliefs, and to exhibit courage and strength in their faith. The phrase "act like men" can be interpreted as a call to maturity, courage, and taking responsibility, according to biblical scholars.

GAWD COULD WE GET SOME OF THAT GOING ON AROUND HERE!

Maturity.

Courage.

Ownership.

If I do anything at all, I pray I’m instilling these qualities in Beau.

My father is one of my absolute favorite humans and he has always been an epic roll model and pillar of God’s love in the masculine form. Is he without flaws? HARD NO. I’m laughing because I know he reads these emails as does my mother - don’t worry you two, I’m done.

In my opinion, the foundational behaviors we need in our homes, in our businesses, in our communities, and in our leadership are traits of true men. Not boys.

Pastor Mark also mentioned men weren’t created for passivity. I perked up hearing this. They do need adventure, problems to solve, shit to fix, battles to fight, packs to lead, they are encoded with the desire to display strength with control. They need to be in service.

When strength is too loud and control is minimally expressed or worse yet missing in action, we find ourselves in a dumpster fire. I know many of you would use the state of the world as an example of this. You’re not wrong.

As I was heading to bed Sunday night, my little brother, golden boy as I call him, sent a screenshot from a page of a book he was reflecting on…There was another epic verse to consider: “[Live together] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph 4: 2-3.

Humility.

Gentleness.

Patience.

With one another in love.

Unity of the Spirit.

In the bond of Peace.

That’s the definition of secure masculine and safe feminine, if you ask me.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Men and women are called to know themselves so that they may be safe and secure in being their most authentic selves. We do not get there until we can be with ourselves fully.

I was thinking about how many times I’ve abandoned myself.

For peace.

For acceptance.

For love.

For ease.

There is a real need to fill your own cup no matter what because often we are chasing our unhealed parts in our relationships. Those we are in relationship with become the mirror for wounds. Not because they want us to suffer but because we have a liiiiiiitle more work to do.

After reflecting on the good men in my life, I have to say I’m hopeful for the next generation. It’s a privilege to be conscious of what the healthy masculine represents and I’m committed to pour into my son the blessing of strength with control.

I love good men.

If you have the golden opportunity to raise, influence, and/or redirect a boy into a good man, don’t sleep on that.

Imagine the ripple effect of more good men.

OKAYILOVEYOUYBEEE,

xx

Nic.

ps. .* Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA. 12-12:30pm pst. $10. A well rounded music based mobility focused yoga flow. This was created as a community class and if you ever need financial assistance to attend - please just reach out or use code NEWFRIEND to try a class for free. Sign up here.

* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

pps. JULY 12 DAY TURN-UP. We're doing something different in July. Join us for 12 full days where we TURN IT UP. Beginning Monday, July 7th through Saturday, July 19th we’ll tackle lower body, mobility based yoga, upper body, a walk-n-talk, and full body strength training all in under 2 weeks time. Due to my summer travel schedule, this will shake things up a bit and create an epic 12-day sweat fest right in the middle of your summer fun. Only this will be FUNNER. Is that a word? Don't even worry about it. This has been a hit in summer’s past and I can’t wait to see you there. Get your buns signed up now. LET’S GET AFTER IT. Sign up here.

ppps. Get ready for more and more content about our upcoming PALM DESERT RETREAT!! It will be a unique and magical experience that educates, expands, and creates freedom from the noise. We could all use that. So many of us funnel our energy into making sure the folks around us feel seen, loved, nurtured and alive. Who is doing that for you, my friend? So far we are 50% reserved. I’ll be updating the available beds on the website page. Visit my RETREAT PAGE on sweatandstillness.com to see photos or drop your name onto the RETREAT LIST to get more dedicated emails as they come. If you’re on the fence, hit me up, let’s discuss how we can get you there. Here’s a few pics … find more on my retreat page linked above.

pppps. THE LATEST EPISODE OF SHOCK AND YALL IS OUT NOW and I’m speaking with KIM SHAPIRA. Kim is the Anti-Diet Dietician. She speaks the truth. Kim is a registered dietitian, nutrition therapist, author, and functional nutritionist who has a private practice in Los Angeles. In her 25 years, she has worked with hundreds of people in a variety of situations, hospitals, sports clinics, addiction, centers, and universities. Kim has a BS in exercise science and kinesiology from Tulane university and an MS in human metabolism and clinical nutrition from Boston University. She’s a wife and a mother to three daughters and three fur babies. You’ve seen her work in Vanity Fair, POPSUGAR, live strong, Sky news and many other publications and podcasts. The Kim Shapira Method focuses on the basics of nutrition. Food is not entertainment or the enemy; it is fuel, and you should enjoy the food you consume without shame or regret. What makes Kim stand out is that she speaks to the root of the issue and she cares deeply. Her personal story is compelling and the impetus for the work she does today.

Take a listen and LMK what you think…

Here are a few clips…enjoy, listen and please share with your friends…

OH WAIT. You’re still here … could you, would you, pretty please leave us a review on Apple podcasts. Just click this link, scroll to the bottom to leave your thoughts and “stars” and I’ll send you a MASSIVE energetic HIGH FIVE along with my sincere appreciation.