Hi, I’m Gregg Swanson, a guide to mental resilience and spiritual evolution. My adventures…from high-pressure sales environments to steep cliff faces…have shown me the transformative power of discipline and mindset.

Let’s embark on a journey to create a life you love by looking at the principles for living
Introduction to Principles for Living
We live in a world flooded with convenience, comfort, and compromise. Men are working harder, but feeling more lost. Hustling more, but getting less. They’re exhausted from trying to succeed in a system that rarely rewards depth, purpose, or integrity.

That’s where the Warrior’s Code comes in. This code isn’t ancient history. It’s not poetic fluff. It’s a real-world framework...Principles for Living that give modern men clarity, direction, and a reason to get out of bed with fire in their soul.

These Principles for Living are about reclaiming your identity, forging mental toughness, and building a life you’re proud of. Because the truth is this: If you don’t have a personal code, the world will assign you one...usually a weak one.

So let’s reclaim the narrative. Let’s rebuild the man from the inside out.
What Are the Warrior Principles for Living?


Every warrior, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom, operates by a set of guiding principles.

These Principles for Living serve as internal guardrails...keeping you aligned with your highest self when the world tries to pull you into distraction, deception, and disconnection.

In a society that rewards compliance and punishes depth, having a code is no longer optional. It is essential. Without it, you become reactive, directionless, and eventually disempowered.
Why These Principles Matter:
These principles provide direction when the world feels chaotic and overwhelming, acting like a compass that guides your thoughts, actions, and responses.

They help establish clear boundaries around what you will and won’t tolerate in your life, protecting your energy, integrity, and focus.

They generate a deep sense of purpose in your daily actions, especially during times when your path feels uncertain or uninspired.

They reinforce your core identity, keeping you rooted in who you truly are so you're not swayed by societal trends, external opinions, or internal fear.
What Are the Warrior Principles for Living?
Every warrior, whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom, operates by a set of guiding principles. These Principles for Living serve as internal guardrails...keeping you aligned with your highest self when the world tries to pull you into distraction, deception, and disconnection.

In a society that rewards compliance and punishes depth, having a code is no longer optional. It is essential. Without it, you become reactive, directionless, and eventually disempowered.
Why These Principles Matter:
These principles provide direction when the world feels chaotic and overwhelming, acting like a compass that guides your thoughts, actions, and responses.

They help establish clear boundaries around what you will and won’t tolerate in your life, protecting your energy, integrity, and focus.

They generate a deep sense of purpose in your daily actions, especially during times when your path feels uncertain or uninspired.

They reinforce your core identity, keeping you rooted in who you truly are so you're not swayed by societal trends, external opinions, or internal fear.

Think of these principles like a sword and shield. Your sword represents your action, your decisions, and your discipline...the forward motion of your life. Your shield stands for your integrity, your values, and your self-respect...the protection that keeps your spirit intact in the face o...

Life Will Break You—Unless You Learn to Break Through
Let’s get one thing straight: adversity isn’t optional.

If you’re a high-achieving man between 35 and 55—burned out, stuck in a performance rut, or just plain tired of chasing success while feeling empty inside—then you already know life can feel like a constant battle. But here’s what separates the Warrior from the Worrier: the ability to turn Adversity into Strength.

This article isn’t just about overcoming hard times. It’s about mastering your mind, forging a stronger identity, and turning breakdowns into breakthroughs. If you’re ready to rise, let’s begin.
Adversity Into Strength - The Gateway to Growth


You’ve probably heard some version of the quote, “Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor.” But let’s be real—when the storm hits, most people look for a way out. They retreat, numb out, or crumble. But Warriors? They do something radically different. They stand firm, face the wind, and use the pressure to sharpen their edge.

The concept of Adversity into Strength isn’t just an inspirational soundbite. It’s a conscious decision to view hardship as a gateway to self-mastery.

Adversity is powerful because it strips away illusions. When things fall apart, you’re forced to confront what’s real—your beliefs, your habits, your fears, and your limits. It doesn’t coddle your ego; it demands your truth.

In the face of challenge, you also build emotional and psychological armor. You learn how to regulate your state, calm your mind under stress, and rise from chaos with clarity. Those are warrior traits—not corporate buzzwords.

You also start to master the art of response. While most people react emotionally or impulsively, Warriors develop the ability to pause, breathe, assess, and choose their next move with precision. That’s a skill forged only through friction.

And perhaps most importantly, adversity reveals your character. When everything is easy, anyone can look strong. But when the heat’s on and your back is against the wall—that’s when your true nature shows up.

I’ll never forget standing on the icy slopes of Mt. Rainier, caught in an avalanche. It was a moment that could have ended me. But it became one of the most transformative moments of my life. Not because I survived—but because it forced me to decide who I would become if I made it through. That’s the power of Adversity into Strength.



Building the Warrior’s Mindset

Here’s a truth most men don’t want to admit: we spend more time avoiding discomfort than developing discipline.

But the Warrior knows this—your mindset is either your most powerful asset or your most dangerous liability.

If you want to turn adversity into strength, you have to shift how you relate to struggle. You can’t see it as a curse. You have to see it as curriculum.

This starts with your identity. When I was a kid, I stuttered so badly I could barely say my own name. Add in asthma, and I felt like my body and voice were conspiring against me. I was teased, rejected, and constantly overlooked. But one day, I made a decision: I would not let my weakness define me. I would train my mind like I trained my body—in reps.

Every time I spoke, even if I stumbled, I gained strength.

Introduction
Do your thoughts sometimes feel like a runaway train—racing fast, loud, and always headed in the wrong direction?

If you’ve ever caught yourself spiraling into self-doubt, negative thinking, or mental burnout… you’re not alone. And it’s not your fault. Your brain has been wired by years of habit, repetition, and subconscious programming. But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you:

You can rewire it.

You can build new mental maps. You can reshape your patterns. You can reclaim your focus, your clarity, and your edge.

In this article, we’re diving into Cognitive Behavioral Strategies—battle-tested tools designed to transform your thinking, break toxic cycles, and fortify your mind for peak performance. Whether you’re a burned-out executive, a high-achiever stuck in stagnation, or simply tired of your own mental roadblocks, this is your mental reset button.
What Are Cognitive Behavioral Strategies?
Let’s strip away the fluff. Cognitive Behavioral Strategies are not about “thinking positive” or plastering affirmations over chaos. They’re about getting tactical with your mind.

At their core, these strategies stem from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a scientific method used to identify, challenge, and change destructive thought patterns. But you don’t need a therapist’s couch to use them.

Think of CBT like a software update for your brain. It helps you identify the faulty mental scripts—those sneaky thoughts that sabotage your progress before you even take action. It also teaches you to understand how those thoughts directly trigger your emotional state and your behaviors. Most importantly, it guides you to replace those old scripts with empowering, evidence-based beliefs that support your growth.

And here’s why that matters: Your thoughts don’t just affect how you feel—they determine how you perform. Every behavior begins as a thought. Change your thoughts, change your outcomes.
Rewiring Negative Thought Patterns
Most people walk around with what psychologists call ANTs—Automatic Negative Thoughts. These are fast, sneaky, and often false beliefs that whisper things like:

* “You’ll never be good enough.”
* “Why bother trying?”
* “It’s always been this way.”

They don’t scream—they whisper. Subtle, corrosive thoughts that slip under your awareness and sabotage your potential. And unless you learn to spot them, they’ll run your life on autopilot.

This is where Cognitive Behavioral Strategies shine. Step one is awareness. You’ve got to name the thought to tame the thought. Start with thought logging—track what pops into your head during stress, failure, or fear. Write it down without judgment. Capture the raw pattern. When you see it on paper, you create distance from it. You stop being in the thought and start observing it.

Then comes the reframe.

Ask yourself:

* What’s the evidence for this thought?
* Is this fact or fear?
* What’s a more empowering, truthful version of this belief?

Rewriting negative patterns isn’t about lying to yourself. It’s about aligning with reality—not the distorted, fear-based version your old wiring wants to believe.

You don’t have a motivation problem. You have a system problem.

That might sting a little, but hear me out: if you’re the type of man who sets big goals but still struggles with consistency, the problem isn’t ambition—it’s understanding the science of motivation and how to use it. Most high-achievers burn out not because they lack grit, but because they haven’t built systems that match their goals.

In this post, you’ll discover how to leverage real, research-backed principles to train your motivation and willpower just like a muscle. No hype. Just practical insights and strategies that work.
The Science Of Motivation and Willpower
We often think of motivation as this magical force that appears when we need it. But motivation is not magic—it’s biology. And once you understand how it works, you can train it.

At the core of the science of motivation is dopamine. This neurotransmitter is less about pleasure and more about the anticipation of reward. It fires when your brain expects progress or payoff. That feeling of excitement when you start a new project? That’s dopamine. But as novelty fades, so does that chemical rush.

Willpower, on the other hand, is a function of your prefrontal cortex. It helps you resist impulses and delay gratification. But here’s the catch: it’s a finite resource. Every decision you make—from what to wear to how to respond to a difficult email—depletes your willpower.

What drains motivation and willpower:

Decision fatigue is one of the biggest drains on your mental energy. When your day is packed with dozens of small, seemingly unimportant decisions, it eats away at your ability to focus on the bigger, more meaningful ones.

Chronic stress is another major drain. When your body is constantly in a state of fight or flight, your brain redirects energy away from long-term thinking and goal pursuit and into short-term survival mode.

A lack of clarity about your goals or direction causes your mind to spin its wheels. If you don’t know exactly what you’re aiming for, it’s almost impossible to summon the energy to chase it.

Lastly, when your goals are disconnected from your values and emotions, they lose their pull. Without a strong emotional reason behind your goal, your brain sees no urgency or value in pushing forward.

How to restore it:

Establishing rituals and routines can dramatically reduce your decision-making load. When you automate the small stuff, you preserve energy for the work that really matters.

Tying your goals to a deeper purpose reconnects your brain to why it matters in the first place. When the "why" is strong enough, the "how" becomes easier.

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of rest. That includes not just physical recovery but also mental downtime. Strategic pauses allow your willpower to recharge and your motivation to realign.

Metaphor: Willpower is like a gas tank. Every decision uses fuel. Smart warriors build systems that save fuel for the battles that count.
Why You Lose Motivation (and What to Do Instead)
Most people don’t "lose" motivation—they never understood it to begin with. Motivation isn’t a constant state. It’s an emotional response to perceived progress.

Here’s the real problem: when your goals feel vague, overwhelming, or disconnected from your identity, your brain checks out.