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Embracing Personal Growth and Healing in Parenting with Mike Forrester

February 6, 2024 by Paul Banas

In what ways have you pursued self-health and self-reflection in your own life? How has it positively impacted your relationships with loved ones?

Join us on this episode of Great Dad Talks as Mike Forrester shares his powerful journey of self-reflection, personal growth, and breaking free from limiting beliefs to become a better father and husband. Examine the impact of societal expectations on men’s mental health, and learn why it’s crucial for men to break the cycle and be healthy role models for their own families.

In this episode, you will:

  1. Gain insight into the importance of self-reflection and personal growth for better relationships with your children and spouse.
  2. Discover the impact of unresolved personal issues on your role as a parent and spouse, and learn strategies for healing and growth.
  3. Understand the role of purpose and values in creating a fulfilling life and raising a family.
  4. Explore the concept of time as a limited resource and learn how to align your actions with your purpose.
  5. Recognize the significance of challenging and letting go of limiting and false beliefs to facilitate personal transformation and break the cycle of unhealthy behaviors.

Title: Embracing Personal Growth: A Journey Towards Becoming a Great Dad with Mike Forrester

Hey there, fellow dads! Welcome back to another episode of Great Dad Talks. Today, we have an incredible guest, Mike Forrester, who will be sharing his inspiring journey of personal growth and transformation. We’ll dive deep into the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and the impact it had on his relationship with his children and spouse. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s get started!

Breaking Free from Excuses and Embracing Self-Reflection
Mike gives us a glimpse into his life, where he realized he was making excuses for himself, avoiding difficult conversations, and struggling with feeling like a failure. He shared some powerful words that resonated with me: “Working on ourselves is important. Without healing and growth, it’s like pushing a car with a new engine, but without turning it on.” It’s a wake-up call for all of us to prioritize self-reflection and personal development.

Key advice from Mike:

  • Pursue self-health and self-reflection.
  • Engage in open conversations without defending ourselves.
  • Be prepared to hear the truth, even if it’s challenging.

Rebuilding Trust: Patience and Consistency
Mike acknowledges the strain in his relationship with his children, as they tended to turn to their mom rather than him. He stresses the importance of consistent change in behavior and allowing time for rebuilding trust. “Rebuilding trust with your children takes time and consistent change in behavior. The way we react and behave influences how others respond to us.”

Key advice from Mike:

  • Be patient and consistent in your efforts to rebuild trust.
  • Embrace behavioral changes to build stronger connections with your children.

Finding Purpose: The First Domino for Positive Change
Mike opens up about his journey of feeling like a victim and lacking a sense of purpose. He shares the realization that understanding our value, worth, and purpose creates traction and success in life. “Understanding our purpose early on in life is beneficial for raising a family and for when children move out.”

Key advice from Mike:

  • Determine your purpose and values in life.
  • Spend your limited time in ways that align with your purpose.

Shattering Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Healing
Mike shares his struggle with limiting beliefs and false notions that restrained his personal growth. Through self-reflection, he recognized the impact of certain childhood experiences on his beliefs about food security and masculinity. Letting go of these unhealthy beliefs became a crucial step in his healing process. “The key point is that individuals need to be willing to see things and do the work to bring about change.”

Key advice from Mike:

  • Challenge and let go of unhealthy and false beliefs.
  • Be open to personal growth and evolution.

Men’s Mental Health: Breaking the Silence
As men, we often face societal pressures to bottle up our emotions and remain stoic. Mike sheds light on the importance of finding safe spaces where we can express our emotions and deal with our struggles. “Suppressing emotions is unhealthy and can lead to negative consequences, including potentially hurting others.”

Key advice from Mike:

  • Seek safe environments to express emotions and address mental health.
  • Break the cycle and be a healthy male figure in our own homes.

Conclusion:
Mike’s journey of personal growth and transformation serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to make a change. Let’s embrace self-reflection, challenge our limiting beliefs, and prioritize our mental health. Remember, the path to becoming a great dad starts with becoming the best version of ourselves. So, dads, let’s take the first step on this incredible journey together!

About Mike Forrester

Coach

Mike Forrester is a passionate advocate for personal growth and self-reflection, with a keen interest in exploring the challenges and triumphs of fatherhood. As a dedicated husband and father of two, he understands the complexities of juggling responsibilities and the desire to be the best father possible. Mike has walked his own journey of healing and growth, overcoming limiting beliefs and transforming his relationships with his children and spouse. Through his own experiences, he has learned the power of vulnerability, self-awareness, and the importance of purpose in fatherhood.

    Follow Mike on his socials:

    • Link
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    GreatDad.com/coaching
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    Filed Under: Great Dad Talks podcast

    About Paul Banas

    Paul Banas is happy married dad of two great kids living in San Francisco. He writes now about kids, new technology and how the two interact for GreatDad.com and for Pregnancy Magazine (pregnancymagazine.com) where he is also the publisher.

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    Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

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