The King Within: Modern Masculinity and the Sovereign Man

📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify“Humbleness is understanding that there's always something to learn from anybody,” says Xande Ribeiro, legendary multi-time Jiu Jitsu world and ADCC champion, who joins The King Within podcast for a spirited and deeply honest conversation on cultivating a true warrior mindset. Xande Ribeiro reveals why keeping a “white belt mentality” is the secret not just to mastery in martial arts, but to growth as a man, father, and leader.He shares moving stories—from childhood street brawls in Brazil to champion-level competition—on how discipline, humility, and challenge fuel his path, even as he continues to compete at 44. With a rare vulnerability, he breaks down why martial arts is more than fighting: it’s preparation for life, teaching kids resilience, emotional regulation, and the power of community in a world of shrinking families and square screens.Tune in to The King Within to discover the warrior’s blueprint for thriving in hard times, reframing fear as fuel, and building trust and authenticity at home and in every arena of life. This episode will make you rethink what it means to be strong, humble, and truly unstoppable.5 Key TakeawaysEmbrace the warrior’s mindset—do something challenging every day to build resilience and strength, even when life feels comfortable.Model humility: Adopt a white belt mentality and stay open to learning from anyone, regardless of your level or achievements.Prioritize community—step into group environments, let yourself interact, and push past shyness or isolation.Reframe fear as your ally; use it to sharpen your awareness and fuel your growth, not to hold you back.Lead by building trust—surround yourself with people that inspire you, allow yourself to be vulnerable, and reciprocate support.Memorable Quotes"Humbleness is understanding that there's always something to learn from anybody. It's not because I'm the Michael Jordan of Jiu Jitsu that I have nothing to learn.""I think a warrior is someone who does not shy away from the challenge, who takes accountability for mistakes and learns from it. The everyday warrior is the one who wakes up knowing there are hard things to do and does them anyway.""Fear is my friend. It's a tool, not an enemy. It brings a state of awareness, and when you reframe what it means to you, it can become fuel for courage."Connect with XandeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/xanderibeirojj/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@xanderibeirojjThe Arena Gym: https://thearenagym.com/more/coaches/xande-ribeiro/Click Here for our Black Friday Specials!(expires by Midnight PST December 1, 2025)Work With Mike(mention you saw this on the podcast for a listener-only discount)The Grounded King (group coaching) - https://thegroundedking.comMen of Movement Retreat - https://www.menofmovement.com/1:1 Coaching - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/1-1CoachingPrograms (use code 'PODCAST' for an additional 10% discount)Kettlebell Lifestyle - https://www.kettlebelllifestyle.com/Mastering the Kettlebell - https://www.masteringthekettlebell.com/Athleticism for Life (Bulgarian Bag training) - https://mikesalemi.kartra.com/page/BulgarianBagProgramBulgarian Bag Certifications - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/bulgarianbagcertificationsConnect with MikeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike.salemi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSalemiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesalemi111/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mike.salemi.583X/Twitter - https://x.com/mike_salemiMentioned in this episode:The Grounded KingThe Grounded King is a unique blend of an ongoing online men's group and private community with the education and frameworks to go with it. We meet 1x/week for 90 minutes, and you will get access to all of my online programs, as well as the Curriculum to go with your journey. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, and start building from a place of truth and vitality, click below and I’ll send you everything you need to know.The Grounded King

📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify“A real man should be able to slit a throat and hold a baby in the same day,” says JP Sears, comedian, father, and embodied teacher who joins The King Within podcast to share his unapologetic take on modern masculinity, fatherhood, and the journey to becoming a whole man. With his trademark blend of humor and depth, JP Sears reveals how the warrior archetype was awakened in him during the turbulence of 2020, why being vulnerable without strength turns men into emotional “puddles,” and how fatherhood serves as a ground-zero for both spiritual initiation and self-sacrifice.In this episode, JP Sears discusses why the polarization of men into either relentless warriors or perpetual softies is a recipe for dysfunction, and how he learned the importance of standing for principles—even when the world (and “cancel culture”) pushes back. He shares deeply personal stories about his relationship with his own father, the lessons he’s had to learn outside the home on strength, emotional connection, and providing structure for his son. Plus, you’ll hear JP Sears break down his nightly “clearing practice” for keeping his relationship alive, as well as the milestones and blind spots on his evolving path as a father and partner.Listen to The King Within for an honest exploration of what it means to be a trustworthy, grounded man in today’s world—and to discover why, for JP Sears, it’s the hill you’re willing to die on that defines your legacy.5 Key TakeawaysGet around good men—seek genuine, in-person brotherhood for real accountability and growth.Clarify the hill you’re willing to die on—define your values and principles, then stand for them without apology.Practice daily relational hygiene—clear emotional charge with your partner every night; own your feelings, communicate directly, and stay connected.Sacrifice for your family—make choices with their best interest in mind, not yours. The strength of a man is shown in what he’s willing to lay down.Prioritize intentional presence—put down the phone, make time for your kids, and show up with unwavering attention; your presence is the true currency of fatherhood.aMemorable Quotes"A man who doesn't have something more important than himself in his life will never be a whole man. The warrior isn't a warrior on the battlefield just for himself—he is representing something greater than himself.""Cancel culture only works if you consent to it. People consent to cancel culture through the bond of fear, but it cannot take away what really matters—your principles, your relationship to God, your mission, and the values you stand for.""It unlocks a death to the old self and a birthing of a new self. Especially as a father, you’re sacrificing, you’re no longer feeding your old sense of self. That old sense of self gradually dies, and it’s a great thing—painful at times, but truly fulfilling."Connect with JPWebsite: https://awakenwithjp.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AwakenWithJPInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakenwithjp/Resources MentionedThe Holistic OBGYN (Dr. Nathan Riley) — https://www.belovedholistics.com/Whoop (fitness and health wearable) — https://www.whoop.com/Bolt Health (Testosterone Replacement Therapy provider) — https://www.bolthealth.com/The C.H.E.K Institute (Referenced as Check Institute)—https://chekinstitute.com/Tonkot Ali (Herbal supplement for testosterone support) — https://amzn.to/49uCpBvJordan Peterson — https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/Medal of Honor (U.S. military award, referenced story: Ed Byers)—https://www.cmohs.org/Click Here for our Black Friday Specials!(expires by Midnight PST December 1, 2025)Work With Mike(mention you saw this on the podcast for a listener-only discount)The Grounded King (group coaching) - https://thegroundedking.comMen of Movement Retreat - https://www.menofmovement.com/1:1 Coaching - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/1-1CoachingPrograms (use code 'PODCAST' for an additional 10% discount)Kettlebell Lifestyle - https://www.kettlebelllifestyle.com/Mastering the Kettlebell - https://www.masteringthekettlebell.com/Athleticism for Life (Bulgarian Bag training) - https://mikesalemi.kartra.com/page/BulgarianBagProgramBulgarian Bag Certifications - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/bulgarianbagcertificationsConnect with MikeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike.salemi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSalemiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesalemi111/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mike.salemi.583X/Twitter - https://x.com/mike_salemiMentioned in this episode:The Grounded KingThe Grounded King is a unique blend of an ongoing online men's group and private community with the education and frameworks to go with it. We meet 1x/week for 90 minutes, and you will get access to all of my online programs, as well as the Curriculum to go with your journey. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, and start building from a place of truth and vitality, click below and I’ll send you everything you need to know.The Grounded King

📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify"Gratitude is not something of the mind, it's more something of the body," says Mike Salemi, host of The King Within, as he unpacks why so many men struggle to genuinely feel gratitude—even when they know they "should."In this intimate solo episode, Mike Salemi shares how performative gratitude lists and affirmations left him feeling hollow, and reveals the real barriers men face: unconscious negative self-talk, shallow breath, and a relentless pace that keeps us from being present. Drawing from his own life as a father and partner, Mike Salemi guides listeners through practical steps to shift out of the head and into the body, inviting us to experience gratitude as a living state—one rooted in presence, breath, and intention, not obligation.Tune in to The King Within to discover Mike Salemi’s personal, evidence-based path to embodying gratitude and reclaiming connection, calm, and meaning at home.5 Key TakeawaysShift your inner language—catch negative self-talk and reframe your words to work for you, not against you.Drop out of your head and into your body—slow your breath, lengthen your exhales, and anchor in the present moment.Break the habit of rushing—create intentional pauses to be present and notice what’s already within reach.Practice gratitude that you actually feel—let go of performative lists and focus on what honestly lands in your heart.Build sacred space for connection—set aside undistracted time with those you love or for your own reflection, and let gratitude naturally rise.Memorable Quotes"It's less about the holidays themselves and more about what it represents to us. We all have history. We all have associations of the past that we bring into our experience of the present day.""Gratitude is not something of the mind, it's more something of the body. Your mind might tell you, 'I'm grateful for this,' but you don't really feel it.""The pace that you've been operating, if you're having difficulty connecting with this superpower of being truly grateful—not the idea of it, not the performance of it, but really being deeply grateful in your body and in your heart—then look at the pace that you're operating at, and if you do want to feel more gratitude, create some intention around it."Click Here for our Black Friday Specials!(expires by Midnight PST December 1, 2025)Work With Mike(mention you saw this on the podcast for a listener-only discount)The Grounded King (group coaching) - https://thegroundedking.comMen of Movement Retreat - https://www.menofmovement.com/1:1 Coaching - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/1-1CoachingPrograms (use code 'PODCAST' for an additional 10% discount)Kettlebell Lifestyle - https://www.kettlebelllifestyle.com/Mastering the Kettlebell - https://www.masteringthekettlebell.com/Athleticism for Life (Bulgarian Bag training) - https://mikesalemi.kartra.com/page/BulgarianBagProgramBulgarian Bag Certifications - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/bulgarianbagcertificationsConnect with MikeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike.salemi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSalemiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesalemi111/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mike.salemi.583X/Twitter - https://x.com/mike_salemiMentioned in this episode:The Grounded KingThe Grounded King is a unique blend of an ongoing online men's group and private community with the education and frameworks to go with it. We meet 1x/week for 90 minutes, and you will get access to all of my online programs, as well as the Curriculum to go with your journey. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, and start building from a place of truth and vitality, click below and I’ll send you everything you need to know.The Grounded King

📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify"I'm always a thought away from being with spirit," says Kyle Kingsbury, former UFC fighter, Director of Human Optimization at Onnit, and father, who joins The King Within podcast to reveal how becoming a parent, confronting hardship, and working with plant medicine have radically reshaped his journey. From communing with the soul of his son before birth in visionary ceremony, to building a life rooted in intention and connection on his Texas farm, Kyle Kingsbury opens up about the transformation from high-performance athlete to devoted papa and seeker of deeper truths.He discusses the impact of dropping old beliefs about work, masculinity, and legacy, sharing how practices like meditation, ayahuasca, and conscious partnership have helped him break family patterns of anger, deepen emotional resilience, and model spiritual ownership for his children. Kyle Kingsbury details the essential shift from pursuing success to cultivating presence, and why regeneration—of land, family, and spirit—is now his guiding force.Tune into this episode of The King Within to discover how radical honesty, relentless self-inquiry, and spiritual devotion can transform your relationship with self, family, and the world.5 Key TakeawaysPrioritize presence with your family—ditch the busywork that drains you and invest your best energy in your loved ones.Embrace essentialism—ruthlessly cut out non-essentials so you can focus on what truly matters and say "no" without guilt.If you’re in conflict, take radical ownership of your triggers—respond, don’t react, and use open-hearted communication to grow together.Hold your dreams as if they’ve already happened—cultivate gratitude, abundance, and clarity through practices like meditation and visualization.Seek and nurture a daily connection to your higher source—whether through meditation, prayer, or nature, let it anchor your purpose and parenting.Memorable Quotes"I could recognize that I was committing to things that weren’t making me better at my job, and they were pulling away from all the parts that actually matter in life. From there, I started to shift. I said no for the first time to people who weren’t used to hearing no.""If I can leave that for my kids or show them the doorway for them to walk through on their own and make that connection for themselves, that connection to Source is the single most important thing they can have.""Can I experience those feelings in meditation and hold that vibration? The more I can hold that, the more this dream that I want to make manifest actually comes to being."Connect with KyleWebsite: https://kingsbu.com/X/Twitter: https://x.com/KingsbuInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylekingsbu/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kylekingsburypodcastPodcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/48np1CmAhgejG9lWz4zzmGResources MentionedEssentialism by Greg McKeown - https://amzn.to/4pJFVxLHold On to Your Kids by Gabor Maté & Gordon Neufeld - https://amzn.to/4pFDdZTThe Soul of Discipline by Kim John Payne - https://amzn.to/4pLgpYVKing, Warrior, Magician, Lover by Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette - https://amzn.to/4jc7CNeMastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz - https://amzn.to/3MG85ehDissolving Illusions by Suzanne Humphries & Roman Bystrianyk - https://amzn.to/4iZsLdgVax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. & Brian Hooker PhD - https://amzn.to/3KG7aKmAutobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda - https://amzn.to/4p3LrdnThe Second Coming of Christ by Paramahansa Yogananda - https://amzn.to/3Y0LA6oKrishna Talks to Arjuna/God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita by Paramahansa Yogananda - https://amzn.to/3VLWgl6Fit For Service - https://fitforservice.com/Onnit - https://www.onnit.com/Click Here for our Black Friday Specials!(expires by Midnight PST December 1, 2025)Work With Mike(mention you saw this on the podcast for a listener-only discount)The Grounded King (group coaching) - https://thegroundedking.comMen of Movement Retreat - https://www.menofmovement.com/1:1 Coaching - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/1-1CoachingPrograms (use code 'PODCAST' for an additional 10% discount)Kettlebell Lifestyle - https://www.kettlebelllifestyle.com/Mastering the Kettlebell - https://www.masteringthekettlebell.com/Athleticism for Life (Bulgarian Bag training) - https://mikesalemi.kartra.com/page/BulgarianBagProgramBulgarian Bag Certifications - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/bulgarianbagcertifications Connect with MikeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike.salemi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSalemiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesalemi111/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mike.salemi.583X/Twitter - https://x.com/mike_salemi Mentioned in this episode:The Grounded KingThe Grounded King is a unique blend of an ongoing online men's group and private community with the education and frameworks to go with it. We meet 1x/week for 90 minutes, and you will get access to all of my online programs, as well as the Curriculum to go with your journey. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, and start building from a place of truth and vitality, click below and I’ll send you everything you need to know.The Grounded King

📺 Watch on YouTube and Spotify"The barrier to entry to building a business has never been lower. The barrier to entry to making a million dollars has never been lower. And the amount of distraction that's available has never been higher," says Mike Bledsoe, entrepreneur, coach, and co-founder of Barbell Shrugged, who joins The King Within for a raw and transformative conversation on wealth, entrepreneurship, and personal evolution.Once at the helm of one of the world’s top fitness podcasts and several fast-growing businesses, Mike Bledsoe pulls back the curtain on his wild ride—from making and burning hundreds of thousands in monthly revenue, to learning the painful cost of distraction and poor focus. He shares the pivotal mindset shifts and hard-won strategies that took him from nearly losing it all to building true wealth—not just financially, but in time, opportunity, and impact. Mike Bledsoe reveals why “passive income” is a myth, how true leverage is built, and what it means to really own your life as well as your business.Tune into The King Within’s latest episode to hear why so many business owners get “spread too thin,” the hidden traps of entrepreneurial success, and the new skills you must master to thrive in a rapidly changing world. If you’re ready to rethink what it takes to create lasting wealth—and resilience—this is the episode you don’t want to miss.5 Key TakeawaysDitch the “just make more money” trap—master your numbers, cut expenses ruthlessly, and install a system like Profit First so your business actually builds wealth.Cap your lifestyle, automate your income to require minimal hours, and use your freed-up time to learn, experiment, and prepare for rapid change—agility beats grinding.Get crystal clear on your wealth number. Identify how much you need invested to live your best life, then track all decisions against hitting that target—clarity unlocks action.Shift your mindset from “risky” to “responsible”—own your business, own your results, and stop outsourcing your financial future to employers or the market.Relentlessly upgrade your nervous system and beliefs. Adaptability, self-awareness, and nervous system regulation are your greatest assets in a world where distractions and change are accelerating—work on yourself as much as on your business.Memorable Quotes"The barrier to entry to building a business has never been lower. The barrier to making a million dollars has never been lower. And the amount of distraction that's available has never been higher.""If you own your own business and you know your numbers, you'll know months ahead of time before you have any financial trouble. The difference is, the level of responsibility of a business owner is so much higher—it's not risky.""This is the greatest time in history to be able to design a life that you desire. The only thing holding most people back is they don't believe it's possible for them."Connect with MikeWebsite: http://bledsoe.life/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mike_bledsoeMike's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeBledsoeFullStack Life on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefullstacklife/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.bledsoeX/Twitter: https://x.com/michaelbledsoeResources MentionedProfit First by Mike Michalowicz - https://amzn.to/4a3KJcgHigherDOSE (PMF + Infrared Mat) - https://www.higherdose.com/Onnit (Wellness & Fitness Brand) - https://www.onnit.com/Krisstina Wise (Wealthy Wealthy Mindset & Wealth Coaching) - https://wealthywellthy.life/Click Here for our Black Friday Specials!(expires by Midnight PST December 1, 2025)Work With Mike(mention you saw this on the podcast for a listener-only discount)The Grounded King (group coaching) - https://thegroundedking.comMen of Movement Retreat - https://www.menofmovement.com/1:1 Coaching - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/1-1CoachingPrograms (use code 'PODCAST' for an additional 10% discount)Kettlebell Lifestyle - https://www.kettlebelllifestyle.com/Mastering the Kettlebell - https://www.masteringthekettlebell.com/Athleticism for Life (Bulgarian Bag training) - https://mikesalemi.kartra.com/page/BulgarianBagProgramBulgarian Bag Certifications - https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/bulgarianbagcertifications Connect with MikeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/mike.salemi/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@MikeSalemiLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesalemi111/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mike.salemi.583X/Twitter - https://x.com/mike_salemi Mentioned in this episode:The Grounded KingThe Grounded King is a unique blend of an ongoing online men's group and private community with the education and frameworks to go with it. We meet 1x/week for 90 minutes, and you will get access to all of my online programs, as well as the Curriculum to go with your journey. If you’re ready to stop carrying it all alone, and start building from a place of truth and vitality, click below and I’ll send you everything you need to know.The Grounded King