There’s a Japanese art form called Kintsugi—the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold. The idea is simple: what’s been shattered can be made not just whole again, but more beautiful than before. In this episode, Ryan and MJ explore what this ancient craft teaches us about resilience, self-acceptance, and loving what breaks us open.

They discuss how the cracks in our lives—the job loss, the illness, the identity shift—can become the very places that make us stronger, wiser, and more human. Through personal stories and timeless philosophy, this episode reminds us that beauty doesn’t live in perfection, but in the gold that fills our imperfections.

You’ll hear:

• The philosophy of Kintsugi and why imperfection is essential to meaning

• How to practice Amor Fati—loving your fate, not resenting it

• The hidden power of acceptance in building resilience

• Why every setback is also an invitation to rebuild yourself with more integrity

A reflection on wholeness, healing, and the quiet strength found in the cracks.

We live in a world that glorifies having—titles, possessions, success, control. But as Erich Fromm warned decades ago, the more we have, the less alive we often feel. In this episode, we explore the quiet, difficult work of being.

Ryan and MJ unpack what it really means to become instead of acquire—through stories from Jiu-Jitsu, entrepreneurship, and everyday life. They examine why every dream comes with a shadow side, how our culture confuses ownership with identity, and what fulfillment actually requires once the novelty fades.

You’ll hear:

• Why every desire carries its own cost—and why that’s not a bad thing

• The black belt lesson: having a belt vs. being a practitioner

• How to recognize when you’re chasing possession instead of depth

• Practical ways to shift from consuming to creating, from collecting to becoming

• The power of “I am” journaling and seeking depth in a surface-level world

If you’ve ever achieved something and still felt empty, this conversation reframes success—not as what you earn, but who you become in the process.

What happens when the role that defined you—athlete, coach, new parent, high-flyer—suddenly disappears? In this raw, practical episode, we unpack identity loss after injury and other life pivots, and explore how to rebuild a self that isn’t tied to a single label. We talk Morgan’s Message, why asking “How are you, really?” matters, and how coaches, parents, and teammates can create space for honest conversations—before crisis hits.

You’ll hear:

• A candid story of losing (and rebuilding) identity after a spine injury

• Why attachment to roles amplifies suffering—and how to loosen it

• Simple ways to check in with yourself and others without awkwardness

• How teams and families can normalize vulnerability without losing toughness

• Resources and next steps for student-athletes and supporters (incl. Morgan’s Message)