Ep: 34 - Ascending From the Abyss: Striving for Greatness After a Heart Attack at 40 w/ Sergio Nazzaro

In this episode of ResistingBeta: The Men’s Health Podcast, host Andrew Bontz interviews guest Sergio Nazzaro, Sergio is an Air Force veteran and performance coach who is on a mission to helping entrepreneurs have it all in their business, their health, and their relationships.

Summary:

• Andrew introduces Sergio, an Air Force veteran and performance coach, and shares some questions about personal and professional success, masculine essence, and compressing time to achieve success.
• Sergio shares his life story, including being bullied as a child, experiencing homelessness, serving in the military, struggling with PTSD, becoming a real estate agent, having a heart attack, and finding his calling to help others become their best selves.
• Andrew asks Sergio to expand on his story, specifically the part where his professional life was thriving but his personal life was in shambles, and how he transformed from that.
• Sergio's personal life was in shambles due to stress from starting his own business, deteriorating health, and fighting with his wife, but he eventually slowed down, prioritized his relationships, and now his health, business, and relationship with his wife are thriving.
• Andrew asks why men tend to seek out stressful situations intentionally.
• Men seek out stressful situations as a means of proving their value and testing their limits in pursuit of growth and change, whether forced upon them or chosen intentionally.
• Sergio realized that he could not neglect his relationships while focusing on his health and business. He had to slow down and create a life that supported the way he wanted to live. He made the decision to prioritize his relationship with his wife and family, and his health and fitness started improving. Now, his business is thriving, and his relationship with his wife is getting deeper.
• When Andrew asked him why men like to seek out stressful situations, Sergio said that men believe that if they are able to put themselves in a stressful situation and overcome it, that has value. There is also a part of wanting to grow and live up to their potential, and stressors can be either forced upon them or chosen. Choosing stressors can lead to growth and expansion, whereas stressors that are forced upon them tend to look like health issues, divorce, or problems with their kids.
• Andrew discusses the cycle of self-sabotage experienced by entrepreneurial men and seeks advice on how to break this cycle.
• Sergio suggests that the cycle of self-sabotage can be attributed to the concept of creating out of lack or abundance, and advises men to determine if they are expanding or masking the issues in their lives.
• Andrew and Sergio discuss the cycle of self-sabotage that entrepreneurial men often face, including creating out of lack versus abundance, seeking comfort zones, and the symptoms of creating out of lack.
• Sergio shares his struggles of feeling inadequate and having a chip on his shoulder, stemming from his parents' financial stress. Andrew mentions that many men feel the need to prove themselves and lead in relationships, which can be challenging for those who weren't taught to be providers. Sergio adds that these stories become accepted as truth and shares his own struggles with balding and being overweight, which made him feel unattractive to women.
• Sergio advises that the first step to overcoming self-doubt is to figure out what you want, accept where you currently are, and take small steps toward your goals, rather than trying to make drastic changes all at once.
• Andrew and Sergio discuss the importance of knowing oneself, identifying the personal mission, and how losing a sense of self can lead to identity shifts and affect relationships.
• Sergio believes that men should embrace their masculinity, invest in personal growth, and have a mission in life, which coaching can help them achieve.
• Sergio helps men explore their desires and aspirations by asking probing questions about their relationships, desires, and past experiences to understand what they truly want and enlist the help of a coach.
• Andrew and Sergio discuss the importance of men challenging themselves, working on relationships, and accepting themselves to become the best version and untouchable leaders.

• Sergio suggests starting the day with a 10-minute walk, 5-minute meditation, and journaling to express the feelings that come up, repeating this for seven days to build momentum and consistency in connecting with oneself.

  The podcast episode features Sergio discussing how taking small steps towards discomfort can lead to personal growth, and why men should listen to it to improve their relationships and find their true selves.

  Conclusion:

  In this podcast episode, Andrew and Sergio discuss the challenges that men face in their personal and professional life, including self-doubt, stress, and self-sabotage. Sergio shares his own struggles and offers advice on how to overcome them, emphasizing the importance of knowing oneself, prioritizing relationships, and investing in personal growth. The episode concludes with Sergio suggesting a daily routine to connect with oneself and build momentum toward personal growth. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights and advice for men seeking to become the best version of themselves and improve their relationships.

  7-day homework: 

  Day 1: Take a 10-minute walk, followed by a 5-minute meditation, and then journal about your feelings.

  Day 2: Identify one area of your life where you feel self-doubt, and think about small steps you can take to address it.

  Day 3: Reflect on past experiences that have shaped your beliefs about masculinity and relationships. Write down how you want to redefine those beliefs.

  Day 4: Schedule a coaching session with a coach or mentor who can help you explore your desires and aspirations.

  Day 5: Prioritize your relationships by setting aside time to connect with your partner, family, or friends.

  Day 6: Take a moment to identify your personal mission and values. Think about how you can align your daily actions with those values.

  Day 7: Reflect on the progress you have made over the past week. Celebrate your accomplishments and identify areas where you can continue to improve. Plan out your next steps for personal growth.

  Follow :

  IG - @sergio.nazzaro
  TikTok - @sergio.nazzaro

  Quotes:

  "Choosing stressors can lead to growth and expansion."

  "The first step to overcoming self-doubt is to figure out what you want."

  "Men should embrace their masculinity, invest in personal growth, and have a mission in life."

  "Taking small steps towards discomfort can lead to personal growth."