15 Powerful Life Lessons from 600 Podcast Episodes
Everyday we live, our life should be getting better. I truly believe that because each experience offers an opportunity to learn and grow. But the data tells a different story. Despite the potential for improvement, many people are still struggling.
They lack confidence, community, and are left feeling unhappy, underpaid, and unhealthy. Sleepwalking through life, they wait for a break, counting down the days to their next paycheck, and living for the weekend to escape reality for just two days.
Online connection has become a band-aid for the growing loneliness that plagues our society. It saddens me because I genuinely believe that everyone has the potential to live a great life. I’ve been told I couldn’t do things, and I’ve spent my life proving otherwise. I am the man that can.
Let's get into the 15 Powerful Life Lessons from 600 Podcast Episodes.
Don’t Fear the Shift—Your Transformation is Part of the Journey
The biggest fear I had was letting go of who I was so I could step into who I wanted to become. The fear of losing friendships, changing careers, and moving towns held me back. But holding onto the past limits your ability to move into the future. I’ve feared the shift so many times in my life.
I’m experiencing this fear right now as I consider rebranding The Man That Can Project. I feel I’ve transformed since starting this journey in 2017, and now, the project needs to reflect that change. Back then, my goal was to save men’s lives from their own hands—I was trying to save myself. I was struggling with money, didn’t know who I was, or where I fit in. But over the years, I’ve changed my life and impacted thousands of men in the process.
I’ve always backed myself and trusted my gut. I chose a different high school than my mates, ventured into network marketing, moved my business online, and rowed 30 marathons in 30 days. I’ve been on a journey to figure out what it means to be a man. Now, I want to express that understanding.
With Knowledge Comes Complexity
I’ve read hundreds of books, attended countless courses, and invested over $125,000 in my personal and professional development. Yet, the more I’ve learned, the more complex life has become. This journey has made me believe that there’s always a deeper reason for things. I’ve come full circle—and then some.
The more complex something appears, the less likely I am to give it a go. I don’t like complexity. Over the past two years, I’ve spent my time trying to simplify things, which has brought me back to what I originally knew:
Have savings? Spend less than you earn.
A loving marriage? Continue to date.
Enjoy life? Make time for the things you love.
When I first started trying to make money, I knew I needed to add value. But as I studied more, I went down rabbit holes, built complex systems, and lost focus on sales. I got distracted by pointless things.
The same happened with my marriage. I got caught up in exploring past trauma, polarity, and boundaries. Now, I’m back to just dating my wife—treating her with respect, setting goals together, and loving each other.
Life is no different. Vision setting, overcoming trauma, and managing time are all important, but they aren’t everything. I’m now focused on 12-week efforts, taking life one day at a time, and simplifying where I can.
Document & Keep everything
Life moves fast—sometimes so fast that I struggle to remember what happened last week, let alone four years ago. Reminiscing on memories with friends is something I deeply cherish, and I’ve found that having photos, videos, and even my podcast is a powerful way to recall the events that have shaped my life.
I’m also excited by the idea that my children will one day be able to watch and listen to me at different stages of my life. It’s like leaving behind a legacy in real-time.
Jim Rohn says there are three treasures of life that help shape who we are:
Books
Photos
Journals
You don’t need to document your life in public, but it’s definitely worth doing for yourself. Try it now: go to the photos on your phone, swipe back a few times, and see what photo comes up. What memory does it bring back for you?
Writing Solves a Lot of Problems
It’s no secret that I’ve battled with my mental health—depression, anxiety, and shocking mood swings have all been part of my journey. These challenges have impacted my relationship with myself and others. Over the years, I’ve always aimed to solve problems, and one underrated method I’ve found is writing.
Writing allows me to dump my thoughts, explore ideas, and make sense of my mind. I do it most days now, and I feel so much better for it. If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend giving it a go.
I don’t follow a special formula; I simply collect ideas in the notes on my phone. When I sit down to write, I browse through those notes and pick one that resonates with me at the moment. I dive deeper into this process in the Life Design Blueprint.
Be mentored, be the mentee & equal
To truly understand something, you must teach it. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors at different stages of my life, and I’m incredibly grateful for their guidance. In return, I like to pay it forward by mentoring young men and others whenever I can.
I also have peers in the same line of work, and we share similar challenges and grow together. This balance between being mentored, mentoring others, and growing alongside peers has been invaluable.
The beauty of having mentors is that you can learn from those who have already walked the path you want to take.
The beauty of mentoring others is that it reminds you of what it’s like to start out, and it gives you the opportunity to give back.
The beauty of having those you grow with is that you share the journey together, with people who truly understand what you’re going through in the moment.
Less is more. When you know the right things
This is a lesson that only experience can teach. Early on, what you lack in knowledge and experience, you make up for in effort and quantity. But over time, you learn to identify what truly delivers the biggest returns. This allows you to achieve desired outcomes with less effort.
For example, when I first started out, I poured countless hours into every aspect of my work, often without seeing the results I wanted. Now, I’ve learned which actions and strategies work best for me, and I focus on those while saying NO to everything else.
This shift has allowed me to work less than I ever have while earning more than ever before. It’s been an incredible experience, and I want more people to discover this for themselves.
I encourage you to reflect on your own journey. What are the key actions that drive the most significant results in your life? Focus on those, and you might find that less truly is more. This is why the Strong Men of Value Academy adds so much value. You track what you do and you get feedback from other men.
If the washing basket is on the bed, it's a test
Don’t laugh—this is serious business (well, mostly haha). Relationships require constant work, and sometimes both sides are doing subtle tests. If there’s a clean washing basket on the bed… it’s a test. I used to ignore it—until I learned the hard way.
I didn’t help around the house; I left my clothes everywhere. Amy didn’t want to have to mother me. I realized that by not stepping up, I was sending the wrong message.
So, if the basket is there, step up and put it away. Your wife wants a husband, not another child.
Competition always changes, so enjoy the moments
Running a business means you’ll always have competition. How you view them can significantly impact your journey. I used to see competitors as enemies—trust me, it's not fun feeling like you're constantly at war, fighting for every piece of business.
After nearly 10 years in business, I’ve watched competitors come and go. I’ve come to realise that competition isn't about enemies; it’s about raising the standard in the industry. I’ve learned to enjoy meeting my competitors and embracing friendly rivalry. It makes the day-to-day experience more enjoyable and reminds me that, at the end of the day, it’s not life or death.
Maximise Family Time
When I was in my early 20s everything as about my mates and chasing girls. As I have gotten into my 30s I have appreciated building better relationships with my family. I speak to them more than I do anyone else now. The relationship has changed to have an approach we are friends.
This is much different to what is was.
I do believe at the end of the day when it's all said and done. All that will matter is our relationships.
Make as much money as you can in your 30s
In my late 20s, I didn’t stress about money too much. But now, in my early 30s, I’m focused on making as much as I can during my prime working years. I’ve built great skills, credibility, a solid network, and have plenty of opportunities. Setting myself and my family up for the future is a top priority.
By maximizing the next 10 years, I aim to secure the financial freedom that will allow me to be fully present for my kids as they grow up.
Stay fit, stay focused
The fitter I am, the better my life is. I’m more confident, have more energy, my mood improves, and I’m more productive in everything I do. Fitness isn't just about physical health—it’s a foundation for a better quality of life.
I don’t always feel like exercising, but I’ve made it a habit, just like brushing my teeth. Every day, I have a program to follow, and I simply get up and get it done. It’s non-negotiable because I know the long-term benefits far outweigh the temporary discomfort.
Consistency is key. It’s not about the intensity of every workout, but the commitment to showing up every day. Whether I’m lifting weights, going for a run, or practicing mindfulness through yoga, I stay focused on the big picture: a healthier, more vibrant life.
Learn something new, get uncomfortable
I’m always putting myself in a position to be a beginner. There’s something humbling and rewarding about starting from scratch—it makes me appreciate the journey even more. Over the years, I’ve taken on learning the guitar, becoming Sheppard’s photographer, and diving into plenty of other new skills.
One thing I’ve realized is that the only way to truly learn is to drop the ego and ask the questions you need answers to. Then, you’ve got to put in the reps. For me, that means playing guitar most days for just 10 minutes. It’s not about record-breaking practice sessions; it’s about consistency. Those 10 minutes add up, and over time, they lead to progress that I’m proud of.
Do hard things
Life is hard. Curve balls always come in, financial stress gets us, relationships break down… + so much more. That is the experience of life. We have worked hard to put yourself in a comfortable position. While that's great. We have also removed opportunities to train for adversity.
How do we respond?
I choose to do hard things to test myself. Because of this I manage what life throws at me much better than I once did
If you feel lost, you won't find yourself in the bottom of a beer
You won’t find answers in the bottom of a beer. Beer is a temporary escape, not a solution. If you’re feeling lost, the real journey begins by looking within. It’s about recognising that long-term change comes from new actions, creating new habits, and rewriting your story.
When you’re tempted to reach for a beer to numb the confusion or pain, pause and ask yourself: What am I really searching for? The answers you seek won’t come from the outside—they’ll come from the work you do on yourself.
Start by setting small goals, making deliberate choices, and taking consistent steps toward the life you want to create. Over time, these new actions will build a new direction, one that aligns with your true self.
And when you’ve done the work, when you’ve faced the discomfort and made the changes, that’s when you can truly enjoy a beer—in celebration of how far you’ve come.
Talk about sex and money more
Sex and money are two of the most important and yet often avoided topics in our lives. They can bring immense joy, but they can also be sources of frustration and resentment. The more I’ve talked about these subjects, the better my finances have become, and the more fulfilling my sex life has been.
It’s not just about the act of talking; it’s about the honesty and openness that these conversations foster. I’ve seen resentment build up in myself and in other men who don’t have the sex life they want or feel financially secure. This often ties back to small, seemingly insignificant things, like the clothes basket on the bed—a sign of unspoken expectations and unmet needs.
But there’s always more to the story that needs to be discussed. When you start talking openly about your finances and your sex life, you’ll find that these conversations can improve many areas of your life. Communication breaks down barriers, clears up misunderstandings, and allows both partners to feel seen, heard, and supported.
By addressing these topics head-on, you’re not just improving your financial and sexual health—you’re strengthening your relationship, reducing stress, and building a more connected and fulfilling life.
Thank you for being here.
I truly appreciate your support over the years. My podcast has continued to evolve, and I’m excited to share the next chapter with you. What started as "WellFit with Lachie Stuart" grew into "The Man That Can Project," and now, it embarks on a new journey: "Man That Can with Lachlan Stuart."
I’ve always strived to be a man that can, and now, I’m on a mission to inspire men to become the "Man That Can" in their own lives.
See you next week.
Lachie.
Ps. Here is the new logo
Personal Progress 15th August - 22nd August 🤯
What Happened ✅:
Personal: Announced 58 Marathons, 58 Days, 58 States - January 21st
Strong Men of Value: Applications open September 9th, 2024
Tour: Travelling the east coast touring with Sheppard
What's Coming Up 📅:
Podcast: New episode with Trey Lewis
Travel: Headed back to Australia in October