Chris offers something you can't get anywhere else When I was first introduced to Chris - I was definitely in a horrible place in life. Struggling at work, with health and my relationship. Struggle is not new, but being stuck was. I've done other programs, had coaches, read books, been to live events etc. But I would inevitably have some back slides and with COVID quarantine, I hit a whole new set of challenges. I was hesitant at first and not everyone supported my decision, but Chris' insight and conversation from our first conversation told me that he had real experience working with men in my situation. A huge realization of my own growth was recapping my first conversion with Chris an see that I went from 60-70 hours a week yet feeling only 40% was productive to a more normal 45 hours/week at 80% to 100% productivity! Being focused, present, and holding clear prioroties made a world of difference. Something that separated Chris and his program was the focus on identifying, naming, and reprograming the mental habits that hold us back. I've learned things from working with Chris that I have never seen anywhere else. I went from 1 of the worst mental positions of my life, to feeling more incredible, building stronger relationships with my fiancé & family, and working through a whole new set of goals. I would highly recommend working with Chris because you're going to learn some concepts and tools that you just won't see anywhere else.

Always striving… As someone who has always been striving for more, I have read lots of books, Steven Covey etc. and took courses for self improvement including an MBA, Critical Thinking etc. None has had such a profound positive effect on my life as Chris' course. The accountability and reflection as well as the group meetings with other guys similar to me really hit home. I was reluctant initially to sign on, but really glad I did. I did not expect to find that is was one of the best investments in myself I could have done. Follow the course along and you will discover the better you, which you have been seeking.

Do it! The Ascent program equipped me with the tools to see and create the truths I want- material truths, experiential truths and emotional truths. This is not a passive, transactional purchase; it is not snake oil or a cure in a bottle. The solution must be excavated and refined from within you. You do the work. If you have an aversion to sustained commitment, uncomfortable realizations or truly limitless potential, seek help elsewhere.

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.

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!