Who Are You?

Men and women both experience deep emotional pain, but they do so in unique ways. For men, the root of this pain often stems from a relentless sense of insecurity. Many men, like Brian, pursue accomplishments, achievements, and external validation as a way to resolve their inner struggles—but often find themselves stuck despite their best efforts.

Meet Brian…

Brian has been married to Ginny for 18 years, and together they have three children, ranging in age from three to ten. By all outward appearances, Brian has done well for himself. He runs his own HVAC company, his employees respect him, and he’s a leader in his church. Brian is also a dedicated father, and his kids know how much he loves them. He takes pride in providing for his family—Ginny has been able to stay home with the kids since day one, and their home is nearly paid off.

Yet despite all this, Brian feels unfulfilled.

Life has become routine, and Brian is deeply frustrated by a growing emotional disconnection with Ginny. His sex life is stagnant, and he feels Ginny isn’t interested in him anymore. She’s always busy, and when she finally slows down, she’s on her phone or falling asleep. This lack of connection is leaving Brian feeling resentful, frustrated, and even angry.

He’s worked hard to provide a good life, but something is missing, and no matter how much harder he works, nothing seems to change.

The Growing Disconnection

Brian often tries to talk to Ginny about his feelings, but every conversation turns into an argument. She accuses him of having flaws he doesn’t believe he has. The tension leads to silence, more disconnection, and certainly no intimacy.

This pattern has left Brian feeling stuck. He’s tired of feeling like he’s in the doghouse for simply trying to communicate his needs. He knows Ginny’s upbringing plays a role, and he resents her family for the emotional baggage that seems to have carried over into their relationship. Deep down, Brian feels like he’s paying for her past, and he’s exhausted by it.

Feeling Trapped in His Own Life

Brian finds himself wishing for a way out. At times, he even imagines drastic scenarios like Ginny getting in a car wreck, just so he could move on guilt-free. Yet he feels trapped by his values—divorce goes against everything he believes in, and he couldn’t bear to hurt his kids by breaking up the family.

“I will live a miserable existence before I get a divorce,” Brian tells himself, and this belief keeps him stuck in an unhappy, unfulfilled cycle.

The Endless Cycle

Brian wakes up, goes to work, earns more money, takes vacations, and even agrees to try for another baby, all hoping something will change. But deep down, he knows the truth—no matter how much harder he tries, nothing will fix the emptiness he feels.

Like many men, Brian is looking for deeper fulfillment, a sense of purpose, and a way to reclaim the happiness he’s lost. He’s done everything he thought was “right,” but none of it has led to the life he imagined.

If you can relate to Brian’s story, know that you’re not alone. Many men feel this way, and there is a way out of the emotional pain and stagnation. The key isn’t in working harder or achieving more—it’s in discovering who you truly are, beyond your accomplishments, and stepping into the life you were meant to live.

Feel Like Brian?

Consider Requesting a FREE discovery session to explore these feelings further.

Yes—and my wife Zelda and I are building something just for that.

While I’ve spent years working primarily with men, we’ve been hearing from more and more women who are navigating a different—but deeply connected—version of the same struggle:

They’re stuck in a relationship that hasn’t been working for a long time.
Their partner might be trying—or might still be totally shut down.
Either way, they’re tired of carrying the emotional weight alone.

Some women have found their way to my work before their partner ever did—resonating deeply, even painfully, with what I describe.

Others are watching their partners start to change through coaching—but that change doesn’t yet feel stable, trustworthy, or safe.

Both kinds of women are asking the same question:

“Where is the space for me?”

That’s why Zelda and I are creating RISE—a coaching-centered support community for women in the messy, in-between places of relationship change.

We’re building it now—quietly, intentionally—because the need is clear.
And as we continue to hear from women (and men who love them), we’re preparing to open the doors to those who need it.

Who Is RISE For?

RISE is for the woman living in the gap between:

“I don’t want to leave…”
and
“I don’t know how to keep living like this.”

It’s for the woman who still loves her partner, but doesn’t like how she feels in the relationship.
The woman who keeps trying—but keeps shrinking.
The woman who wants to stay soft—but has been growing harder just to survive.
The woman who keeps hoping he’ll see—but is exhausted by how long it’s taking.

Meet Ginny

Ginny has been married to Brian for 18 years. From the outside, it looks like they’ve done everything right: three kids, good jobs, church on Sundays, even a few vacations a year.

But inside? Ginny’s unraveling.

She doesn’t feel seen, heard, or safe.
When she tries to express how empty things feel, Brian gets defensive—or shuts down.
When she talks about what she needs, he makes it about him.

She’s tired of the constant tension, the careful tiptoeing, the loneliness of lying next to someone she used to laugh with.

Ginny doesn’t want to blow up her family. Divorce feels wrong. But so does this daily ache.
Some days she fantasizes about Brian disappearing.
Other days she fantasizes about herself disappearing.
Most days, she just feels numb—and ashamed that she can’t seem to “just be grateful.”

Ginny doesn’t need a therapist right now. She needs a space where she can be honest.
A place to stop pretending.
A place to sort through what’s real and what’s hers—and what’s not.
A place to be reminded she’s not crazy, broken, or unworthy of love.

She needs RISE.

Meet Melissa

Melissa’s story is different—but just as heavy.

Her husband, Dan, is actually trying.
He’s in Masterful Men. He’s reading. Listening. Reflecting. Owning his stuff.

But it’s slow.
Painfully slow.
And while Dan’s becoming more aware, he still isn’t emotionally safe.

He still gets triggered. Still turns conversations back on her. Still defaults to withdrawal or shutdown.
He talks about being “unshakable,” but she still feels like she’s walking on eggshells.

Melissa wants to be supportive. She sees his potential.
But she’s exhausted from being the one to regulate, to repair, to initiate everything.

She doesn’t want to undermine his growth.
But she also can’t keep swallowing her pain in the name of patience.

Melissa needs a space to process what’s happening while Dan learns how to show up differently.
She needs language. Support. Encouragement.
Not to leave—but to stay steady while she decides if and how to stay.

She needs RISE.

Why We’re Creating RISE

We’ve created RISE for women like Ginny and Melissa—and maybe for you, or someone you care about.

Women who are:

• Going first in growth and tired of doing it alone

• Trying to stay soft, but feeling the cost of constant emotional labor

• Watching their partner grow, but unsure how to stay connected while trust rebuilds

• Holding back their truth, afraid of being told they’re “too much” or “never satisfied”

• Quietly unraveling, feeling guilty for the resentment they carry and unsure where to turn

RISE is a space for you to finally breathe.

To lay down the burden of holding it all together.
To find your center. Your strength. Your voice.
To stop shrinking… and start rising.

What RISE Will Offer

We’re building RISE as a coaching-centered, community-supported space—led by me (Sven) and my wife, Zelda.

It won’t be therapy.
It won’t be a venting room.
And it won’t be about “getting him to change.”

It will be about you.
Finding your footing.
Hearing your own voice again.
And doing it with other women who get it.

You’ll have access to:

• Live group coaching sessions with me and Zelda

• Real-time insights into male behavior and growth from my coaching with men

• Community support from women navigating similar dynamics

• Clarity tools to help you make steady, wise decisions—without self-betrayal

• And, for those whose partners are in Masterful Men: course content access to track alongside (without seeing his personal work)

Want to Know When RISE Opens?

We’re not rushing this.

We’re listening.
We’re watching the need.
And if there’s enough interest, we’ll open the doors very soon.

If you want to be among the first to know when RISE becomes available, we invite you to join the interest list:

👉 Join the RISE Waiting List

No pressure. No pitch.
Just a space being built with you in mind.

You don’t have to carry this alone anymore.
And you don’t have to keep choosing between love and truth.

With care and respect,
Sven (and Zelda)