"Step Into your Power: Reclaiming The Life You Deserve"

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Welcome to 44th Power, the podcast where we talk about growth, spirituality, fatherhood, relationships, and overcoming the struggles that shape us. I'm 44th Power, and at 44 years old, I stepped into my power. Now, I'm here to help you do the same. No filters, no excuses, just real conversations about the journey to becoming your best self.

I'm your host, 44th Power, and I'm so glad you're here. This is where we dive into real, raw, and unfiltered conversations about life's hardest lessons, the power of healing, and stepping into the person you were always meant to be. I want to start this journey by sharing something personal.

why I decided to launch this podcast and what it means to me. At 44 years old, I reached a point in my life where I stopped looking for permission and started living with purpose. And that shift, that moment is what I call stepping into my power. I could sit here and tell you about all the things that led me to this point. Growing up with trauma, navigating fatherhood.

relationships and the struggles of being a man in this world. But I want to focus on something that truly changed the game for me. Stepping into my power. You see, when you're living in survival mode, when you're constantly battling old wounds, toxic relationships, or just trying to make sense of the chaos in your life, you forget how to live with intention. You forget how to

fully embrace your true potential. That's where I was. But then something shifted. I hit 44 and I realized I had the power to change. I had the power to take control of my own narrative, no matter what life had thrown my way. And that's when I truly stepped into my power. On this podcast, we're going to talk about a lot of different things.

We're going to get real about trauma, about how our past shapes us, and how we can move beyond it. We'll talk about fatherhood, what it means to be a good father, the lessons we learn from our kids, and how to break generational cycles. We'll talk about relationships, how to love ourselves and others, how to heal, and how to set boundaries that allow us to grow.

We'll also talk about spirituality, about finding your path, trusting the process, and learning to lean into the strength that comes from connecting with something greater than yourself. And above all, I want you to know this, you are not alone in this journey. I've been there, and I'm here to share the lessons I've learned along the way. When I hit 44 and woke up, I realized that stepping into your power

isn't about controlling everything around you, it's about controlling yourself. Your reactions, your boundaries, your mindset, your choices. And when you do that, man, everything starts to shift. Now stepping into your power looks different for everybody, but at its core, it's about taking ownership of your life.

It's about refusing to be a passenger and finally sitting in a driver's seat. Maybe for you, stepping into your power means learning to say no. No to toxic relationships. No to overextending yourself. No to anything that drains you more than it feeds you. And yeah, some people won't like that. They'll call you selfish. They'll say you've changed.

And you know what? Good. Because that means you're growing. You're now owning your story. You're not running from it. For some of us, stepping into our power means facing our past. The trauma, the mistakes, the pain we've buried deep. But here's the truth. You can't heal what you refuse to acknowledge. And healing, that's real power.

walking away from what no longer serves you. Maybe it's a bad relationship. Maybe it's a job. Maybe it's an old version of yourself that you're finally ready to let go of. Stepping into your power means recognizing when something isn't meant for you any longer and having the courage to walk away. That's hard as hell, but definitely necessary. And trusting yourself.

even when no one else does. Have you ever felt deep down that you were meant for more? That something bigger was calling you, but fear kept you stuck. Stepping into your power means trusting that inner voice, even when no one else understands your journey, even when it doesn't make sense to anyone but you. You see, how do you know you've really stepped into your power? It's not some big

flashy moment. It's subtle. It's waking up and realizing you don't feel stuck anymore. It's feeling peace when you used to feel anxiety. It's choosing yourself every single day. And when that happens, life starts aligning in ways you've never imagined. But here's the thing, right? Stepping into your power is a choice you make every day. It's not a one-time event. It's a commitment.

to yourself, to your growth, to your peace. So my question for you today is, where in your life are you giving your power away? And what's one thing you can do today to start taking it back? Maybe it's a conversation you've been avoiding. Maybe it's a decision you've been scared to make. Whatever it is, I challenge you to take one step forward because once you do,

Everything changes. So here is the beginning of my own survival story. I was adopted at the age of three. And while adoption is supposed to be a second chance, my reality wasn't some picture perfect story. I endured hella abuse growing up. The kind of abuse that leaves scars. Some you can't see, but most you can.

And when you go through that kind of a trauma as a child, you don't just survive it, you become shaped by it. For me, that meant becoming an empath. I learned to read people, to anticipate their moods, to do whatever I could to avoid conflict. But what I didn't realize back then was that I wasn't just an empath, I was a toxic empath. I spent so much time worrying about everyone else that I come

neglected myself and that led me down a dangerous road. People-pleasing. I thought that if I could make people happy, if I could give enough, love enough, sacrifice enough, then maybe, just maybe, I'd finally feel worthy. But let me tell you something I wish I had learned sooner. People-pleasing is self-betrayal. I'm gonna say that again.

People pleasing is self-betrayal. And the more you betray yourself, the further you drift from your own power. I got into relationships where I gave too much and accepted far too little in return. I ignored red flags. I tolerated things I shouldn't have. And eventually, that pattern led me straight into a marriage that ended in divorce.

But that's a story for a whole nother episode. What I want to focus on today is the lesson. Because life wasn't punishing me. It was preparing me. Every challenge, every heartbreak, every setback was designed to strengthen me for a higher purpose. And that's why I'm here. That's why I started this podcast. At 44 years old, I made a decision. I decided to take my power back. No more people pleasing.

No more sacrificing my peace just to keep others comfortable. No more living for anyone except but for myself. And that's the message I want to share with you. You don't have to be who the world told you to be. You don't have to carry the weight of your past forever. You can break the cycle. You can heal and you can step into your power on your own terms. This podcast isn't just about me. It's about us.

It's about all of us who have been through the fire, who have been broken, who have questioned our worth, and who are finally ready to reclaim our lives. Today, I want to share something. This was one of the hardest decisions I ever had to make. This moment tested me, this moment broke me, and ultimately pushed me to step into my power in a way I never imagined. It's easy to talk about growth and transformation,

But the truth is growth hurts. Stepping into your power isn't always this bold, confident move. Sometimes it's messy or it's painful. And sometimes it means making a choice that feels like it's breaking you before it builds you back up. I remember the exact moment I knew my marriage was over. And I don't mean the fights, the struggles, or the sides I ignored for years. I mean the moment it truly hit me.

The moment I realized that if I stayed, I would be betraying myself. That I'd be setting an example for my children that love meant suffering. That a man should endure at the expense of his own peace. And that breaking yourself for someone else is what commitment looks like. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn't. I knew deep down that walking away was the only way I could reclaim my power.

But there was one thing that made this decision almost unbearable, right? It was the thought of my kids not seeing their father every single day. The thought of that crushed me. The reason for that is I built a life around being present for my children. Around the idea that, look, no matter what, they would always have me there. Physically, emotionally, spiritually. And then all of a sudden,

that was about to change. The idea of packing my things and walking out that door knowing that the bedtime routines, the morning hugs, and just the small moments of everyday life would never be the same for me. It definitely broke me. I struggle with guilt. I struggle with doubt. I struggle with the fear that I was somehow failing them. That leaving me, I wasn't the father they needed me to be.

Through that whole idea, right? This is what I learned. Staying in a situation where you are unhappy, depleted, and disconnected is not what makes you a good parent. Being whole, being at peace, and leading by example is. Leaving wasn't easy at all. It wasn't a moment of relief. It was a moment of deep pain, but also a moment of truth for me.

Because stepping into my empowerment making the hard decision, even when it hurt it, it means trusting that choosing yourself doesn't mean you're abandoning the people you love. It means you're showing them what self-respect, what growth, and what real love looks like. I knew that even if I wasn't under the same roof every night I would still their father. That the quality of my presence mattered more than the quantity.

and that if I was going to be the man, the father, the leader I was meant to be, I definitely had to step into my own power. Right? So if you're listening to this and you're facing a choice that feels impossible, whether it's leaving a relationship, setting a boundary, or walking away from something that no longer serves you, understand this. You are not weak for struggling. You are not selfish for choosing yourself. And you are not a failure for wanting more for yourself.

Sometimes stepping into your power means breaking your own heart. But I promise you, on the other side of that pain is a version of you that is stronger, freer, and more aligned with your purpose than you've ever been. Before we wrap up today's episode, I want to give you a little preview of what's coming next. Because if there's one lesson I've had to learn the hard way over and over again, it's this. Not everyone in your life is meant to stay.

and not everyone deserves access to you. On the next episode, we're diving deep into boundaries. What they are, why they matter, and how setting them will change your life. Because let's be real, the moment you start standing up for yourself, the moment you start saying no to what doesn't serve you, you will see exactly who was there for you and what was just there for what they could get from

We'll talk about how boundaries filter out the energy leeches, the people who take and take but never pour back into you, the ones who use, manipulate, and drain you until there's nothing left. And let me tell you from experience, if you don't set boundaries, life will do it for you, but in the most painful way possible. I know firsthand what it's like to let people overstay their welcome in your life.

hold on too long because you don't want to be mean or selfish. But let me ask you this, why is protecting yourself seen as selfish? Why is saying no to abuse, manipulation, or toxic energy something that makes you the bad guy? That's exactly what we're breaking down the next time. So if you're tired of being drained, if you're ready to stop feeling guilty for choosing yourself, make sure you don't miss the next episode.

We're talking about real unapologetic self-protection. Because at the end of the day, your energy is your power. And if you don't guard it, someone else will drain it for their own benefit. And with that, ladies and gentlemen, this wraps up the very first episode of 44th Power. I hope that after today, we all have a clearer understanding of what it truly means to step into your power, to take back control of your life.

to stand firm in your truth, and to walk unapologetically in the direction of your purpose. This journey isn't easy, and it's not always pretty, but I promise you, it's definitely worth it. Every challenge, every sacrifice, every hard decision is shaping you into the person you were always meant to be. I just want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to you.

the listeners for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here, to tune in, and to share the space with me. It truly means everything. This is definitely just the beginning. We have so much more to dive into, so many powerful conversations ahead. But until next time, stay strong, stay true, and most importantly, stay in your power.