Some men were taught that being a man looks like toughness, control, chasing respect, never showing fear… and never needing help.
But Christian says it straight: everything he thought “being a man” meant was completely wrong. And once you hear his story, you'll understand why.
This episode goes deeper than “motivation.” It’s about what happens when you grow up without guidance — when life becomes survival mode, and the main emotion under everything is fear. It’s about the kind of loneliness that can exist even when you’re “winning,” and the moment you finally look at yourself and admit: I don’t want this anymore.
Christian shares how martial arts became a turning point — not just for discipline, but for emotional control, respect, and learning how to protect instead of destroy. And he talks about faith as something that didn’t just inspire him… it re-built him. One decision at a time. One relationship at a time. One step forward, even when it felt lonely.
If you’re a man who’s been carrying heavy things in silence — or if you love someone who is — I hope this conversation feels like a hand on your shoulder. You don’t have to do life alone. And strength isn’t pretending you’re fine… It’s choosing a better path and staying on it.
Please remember to sign up at FaithAndGrowthPodcast.com to receive the weekly episodes in your inbox.
You can find Christian Machado on his Instagram & Facebook @amaboxingclub @unseenknights and at www.unseenknights.org
Be sure to DM and tell him you listened to this episode!
Grab my book, Hurt 2 Hope: Heal the Pain of Grief, Loss, and Adversity here.
https://a.co/d/awwbAgc
Explore my Faith-Based Coaching Academy and upcoming programs:
https://faithandgrowth.com
Sign up to receive the podcasts every week: faithandgrowthpodcast.com
00:00 – Growing up without guidance: how street life shapes young men
03:30 – Childhood friendships and growing up in Miami
04:55 – No father figure: how absence shapes masculinity
06:40 – Miami street life: drinking, drugs, and belonging
09:45 – Survival mentality: living every day in fear
11:20 – Jail time and hitting a breaking point
15:05 – Taking responsibility as a man
20:00 – Martial arts changed my life and definition of manhood
25:15 – Chasing success and becoming number one
28:00 – Success, money, and extreme loneliness
33:35 – The breakdown that changed everything
37:30 – Spiritual awakening and finding brotherhood
38:50 – Faith-Based Coaching Academy and healing grief
42:05 – How Christian helps men and youth today
43:30 – Boxing, coaching, and rebuilding masculinity
Hashtags:
#FaithAndGrowth #BetsyGuerra #mensmentalhealth #healingjourney #faithandhealing #masculinity #emotionalhealth #selfcontrol #discipline #purpose #redemptionstory #secondchances #mensgrowth #brotherhood #identity #innerstrength #vulnerability #faithbased #motivationwithmeaning #lifechange #miami #boxingcoach #martialartslife
-----------------------------------------------------------
Follow me on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterwithbetsy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Betterwithbetsy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betterwithbetsy/
Visit me at:
https://hurt2hope.com/
https://betterwithbetsy.com/
https://faithbasedcoachingacademy.com/
Diana Castro - YouTube Producer
www.ForProductions.com
But Christian says it straight: everything he thought “being a man” meant was completely wrong. And once you hear his story, you'll understand why.
This episode goes deeper than “motivation.” It’s about what happens when you grow up without guidance — when life becomes survival mode, and the main emotion under everything is fear. It’s about the kind of loneliness that can exist even when you’re “winning,” and the moment you finally look at yourself and admit: I don’t want this anymore.
Christian shares how martial arts became a turning point — not just for discipline, but for emotional control, respect, and learning how to protect instead of destroy. And he talks about faith as something that didn’t just inspire him… it re-built him. One decision at a time. One relationship at a time. One step forward, even when it felt lonely.
If you’re a man who’s been carrying heavy things in silence — or if you love someone who is — I hope this conversation feels like a hand on your shoulder. You don’t have to do life alone. And strength isn’t pretending you’re fine… It’s choosing a better path and staying on it.
Please remember to sign up at FaithAndGrowthPodcast.com to receive the weekly episodes in your inbox.
You can find Christian Machado on his Instagram & Facebook @amaboxingclub @unseenknights and at www.unseenknights.org
Be sure to DM and tell him you listened to this episode!
Grab my book, Hurt 2 Hope: Heal the Pain of Grief, Loss, and Adversity here.
https://a.co/d/awwbAgc
Explore my Faith-Based Coaching Academy and upcoming programs:
https://faithandgrowth.com
Sign up to receive the podcasts every week: faithandgrowthpodcast.com
00:00 – Growing up without guidance: how street life shapes young men
03:30 – Childhood friendships and growing up in Miami
04:55 – No father figure: how absence shapes masculinity
06:40 – Miami street life: drinking, drugs, and belonging
09:45 – Survival mentality: living every day in fear
11:20 – Jail time and hitting a breaking point
15:05 – Taking responsibility as a man
20:00 – Martial arts changed my life and definition of manhood
25:15 – Chasing success and becoming number one
28:00 – Success, money, and extreme loneliness
33:35 – The breakdown that changed everything
37:30 – Spiritual awakening and finding brotherhood
38:50 – Faith-Based Coaching Academy and healing grief
42:05 – How Christian helps men and youth today
43:30 – Boxing, coaching, and rebuilding masculinity
Hashtags:
#FaithAndGrowth #BetsyGuerra #mensmentalhealth #healingjourney #faithandhealing #masculinity #emotionalhealth #selfcontrol #discipline #purpose #redemptionstory #secondchances #mensgrowth #brotherhood #identity #innerstrength #vulnerability #faithbased #motivationwithmeaning #lifechange #miami #boxingcoach #martialartslife
-----------------------------------------------------------
Follow me on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterwithbetsy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Betterwithbetsy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betterwithbetsy/
Visit me at:
https://hurt2hope.com/
https://betterwithbetsy.com/
https://faithbasedcoachingacademy.com/
Diana Castro - YouTube Producer
www.ForProductions.com