Empowered and Deployed! When I came to Ascent I was blocked, small and burnt out. I knew what I wanted out of life, but felt like I had tried everything, nothing was working and had resigned myself to thinking that maybe something bigger just wasn’t in the cards for me. However, I still remembered who I used to be, especially when I was in the outdoors and held out hope I could somehow rekindle it. Cue the day that the Ascent Empowerment program hit my feed. I have been a frequent flyer with self-help books, podcasts and programs. From our first exercise with Chris I knew this experience was going to be different. For the first time, I had faith that if I simply followed the program I would see the results I wanted in my life. So far, so good. Results so far: A completely renewed relationship and appreciation for my wife Deeper connection and joy with my kids Confidence at work that I haven’t felt or been able to display in decades - maybe ever. The confidence to bet on myself and launch into a new job and career challenge. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but finally was able to get past the hesitancy and dive in with excitement. I even slayed a double-black mountain bike trail last weekend that ate my lunch last summer. Fear, self doubt, hesitancy and overthinking used to be in the lead. Now I am learning to install a new operating system and am looking at my future with an excitement and passion that I have not felt in a long time. The butterflies at the top of that double-black turned from fear and anxiety to joy and possibility. The negative emotions are still there, but the Ascent Empowerment program has helped me detach on a path that I couldn’t have even conceived of or thought possible a few short weeks ago.

Invest in yourself! I started my journey with Chris in early 2022, when I felt like I was in a deep rut both in my career and personal life. Over the 10-week program, I learned so much about myself, what has been holding me back, and tools for becoming my true authentic self. Chris and Stephen really know how to ask the right questions on the one-on-one calls, and there is always a great group of men in the weekly group calls. There is such a diverse background among the men involved but we are all very much connected through this program. While my journey has only begun with the knowledge I have learned from Chris and Stephen, I hope to continue on this path in the future. I would also highly recommend attending the retreats they host. Being out in nature with a great group of guys working through their issues is extremely powerful and I will never forget that weekend.

Creating an Empowered Life - What to Expect If you are reading this, it means that you are researching Ascent Empowerment, which also means that you are probably looking to make some changes in your life. GOOD FOR YOU! The purpose of this review is to provide some “data points” on the program so that you can make an informed decision. First off, the Creating an Empowered Life program is real. Chris and Steve are real, and the results are real. In my experience, Chris and Steve are 100% sincere in their desire to help men get the most out of life. Creating an Empowered Life is a web-based, 10-week program and that is pretty much self-paced. If you fall behind nobody gives you a hard time, but it’s important to keep up as best you can. It’s like a physical fitness program; the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. To do it right, you can probably expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on the work. The consistent practice throughout the program is daily journaling of “wins” from the previous day along with weekly assignments. Most of the assignments consist of a video or reading on the concept(s) for the week, followed by a video of Chris doing a one-on-one coaching session with someone else to illustrate the concept(s) in the context of the program. After watching the videos, you will have specific tasks or practices to execute in pursuit of the growth concept. At the end of each week, you turn in your work along with a reflection of what it was like (difficulties, emotional responses, etc.) to complete the work. After a day or two, Chris sends recorded message via email with his assessment and feedback. There is relatively little personal coaching scheduled into the 10 weeks. To use the fitness analogy, it is like the difference between taking group class and working with a personal trainer; the coaches (Chris and Steve) are available to provide encouragement and answer questions, but the workout is the same for everyone. All participants in the program are encouraged to join a weekly, one hour Zoom call. There is also a private Facebook group for sharing and discussions. The cost of the program is not insignificant (at least for me). I think it is important to understand this from the start, because the Breakthrough Call is also a sales call, and Chris is a hard-closer. If you have a spouse or partner that you share finances with, my recommendation would be to speak with them about the potential investment before your Breakthrough Call, and be prepared to make your decision when you take the call. In retrospect, Creating an Empowered Life was a positive experience for me. The one thing I learned for certain is that the change I was seeking was already inside me. The program helped me tap into a new awareness of being. I have since begun a mindfulnesses meditation practice, which is something I probably would have scoffed at before working with Chris and Steve. I still have the same struggles, but they no longer hold the same power over my emotions. As you will learn early in the 10 weeks, “suffering is optional.” I hope this review was helpful. Best of luck in your journey!

I GET TO.... I was a mess, a functional train wreck if a train wreck is even functional? Drinking too much to escape, overweight by 30+ pounds, relationship problems, and worst of all wracked with internal chaos, overwhelm, hopelessness, anxiety, and scared to return to my chosen field of work. I left hospital nursing due to anxiety attacks, feeling suffocated under the pressure. I took a leave of absence and during this time found Ascent Empowerment and took a leap of faith and never looked back. Chris and Stephen, have been so incredibly attentive, caring, and insightful. I wanted to reclaim my sense of vitality in all areas, and after ten weeks I found my way back to connecting in with what is awesome about my job. I had lost 25 pounds reclaiming my sense of vitality! My partner jumped on board with reclaiming vitality and also lost 25 pounds! I’ve cut back on alcohol 90%, and it is no longer such a seductive habit. I’m sleeping better. And best of all I am feeling again like the guy my partner fell in love with! Feeling gratitude for my past struggles may sound strange, but there is a new found conviction that has been born within me, knowing that I can handle whatever life throws my way, and all these challenges in the end were for my greater good. There is a joy and a refreshing lightness in my spirit from the fire of my youth that I am getting to re-welcome back home. My best advice is if you have doubts, ask if you have felt enough is enough? I was so fed up with where I was not going. If that’s you, then invest in you, dive right in, get passionate about your growth, and get excited to rediscover your possibilities. Best investment ever into me and my family!

Follow up review as my first was pulled down. My initial review written some time back was taken down for unknown reasons. I'm writing it again having spent time in the “boot camp” and “momentum accelerator”. 1st, I fully endorse the boot camp with associated modules/lessons and supporting content. Chris is a great facilitator and gives helpful insight as a coach should. There is an option to continue coaching after the 10 week program (momentum accelerator). This wasn't as valuable for me personally for a variety of reasons.