Sep 16, 2019
In This Week’s Episode…
Those of you who attended WC3 in December 2018 will no doubt
remember Dan Cerrillo, Coach Sam’s special guest on today’s show.
Dan, aka Taco is not only a brother and a mentor, but he is also a
friend to the Warrior community. In this very special episode, Dan
shares stories of heartbreak, triumph, sadness, betrayal, grief,
and happiness. We learn what ultimately saved his life and what he
is so passionate about doing for the rest of his life.
* Be the Man
Challenge, an adventure that will take you through six weeks of
self-discovery and introduce you to some of the conversations and
belief systems inside of the Warrior’s Way. betheman.com
Parable #1: WC3
- During WC3, Dan went on stage to raise money for the Navy Seals
Fund. It was in front of that room filled with hundreds of men that
he admitted to having a problem and that he was seeking the help he
needed.
- “I have spent my whole life teaching others, but I was slowly
losing what I had gained. I had been experiencing a lot of success
and failure, but at that time, things were falling apart in my
business and personal life. On top of that, I had gone from being a
weekend drinker to an everyday drinker, barely able to hold down a
job.”
QUESTION
Where in your world do you know it’s time to seek help?
Parable #2: The Pit
- Through tragedy and betrayal, Dan found himself trying to climb
his way out of a pit. There were warning signs all around him, yet
he didn’t heed or listen to them. News of his wife’s illness sent
him over the edge. He had always been a weekend drinker, but now he
started drinking every day of the week.
- “I become angry and depressed. Everything I was telling others
NOT to do, I was doing. I had created this persona that I was
better than everyone. Yet, I wasn’t doing anything I was preaching.
For the first time, I understood why others commit suicide. I felt
my family would be better off without me.”
QUESTION
What are the signs and messages you’re ignoring in your
life?
Parable #3: I Am a Drunk
- Once Dan admitted to the doctors that he had a problem, they
concurred. “Your eyes are dead, and you’re bloated. You got turned
on in the military, but nobody turned you off.” Dan found himself
in a rented van on his way to Mexico to receive therapy &
treatment, feeling so ashamed. He wondered how in the world he had
gotten to this place in life.
- “In the military, the plan is simple and straight forward:
we’re going to mess people up, we’re going to be the aggressor, and
we’re going to win. Once it’s over, you then try to assimilate back
into civilian life to be the ‘normal’ dude who isn’t talking about
killing people. In 36 hours of treatment, I went from “why me” to
“ok, this is the way it is,” to “thank you,” and then the final
phase of forgiveness. For the first time, my brain was free.”
QUESTION
For help and more information, click
on this link.
Parable #4: Trauma & Emotions
- Dan used to believe he had PTSD from the war and scoffed at the
idea of “mommy and daddy issues.” He now knows those are real
issues; that childhood trauma is real. He experienced trauma as a
child and as an adult, and then found himself inflicting trauma on
his own family.
- “When you go to war and do horrible things, if you don’t get
that out of your soul, it will crush you. We’re told to suck it up
and push all the emotions down. But men NEED to express their
emotions. If you suck it up too long and push it down too deep, you
will drink it away, rage it away, and snort it away. “
QUESTION
What are the patterns & behaviors you tend to repeat that aren’t
serving you or your loved ones? What are you doing to change
them?
Parable #5: Life Sans Drama
- Dan lives by a phrase he was once taught: make seven people
smile each day. “I used to be known as ‘Taco,’ the guy who would
throw and smash things, the guy with a constant frown on his face,
and the road rage guy who would follow people home. Taco is now the
character I bring out during training sessions, but I used to be
him ALL the time.”
- “Today, at 46, my life is so peaceful & calm. I listen to
classical music while I’m driving, and if someone cuts me off, I
don’t care. If I only live for 20 more years, who am I going to be?
I’m going to be the dude I have always wanted to be: the guy who
takes care of everybody around me; the guy who wants happiness
throughout life.”
QUESTION
What adjective best describes your current attitude toward
people and life?
* Be the
Man Challenge, an adventure that will take you through six
weeks of self-discovery and introduce you to some of the
conversations and belief systems inside of the Warrior’s
Way. betheman.com
Parables from the Pit
“3 1/2 years ago, Garrett asked you to come train with us.
There was an instant connection. Out of all the training from you,
what impresses me are the thousands of lives you have impacted,
including mine."
—Sam Falsafi
“Simplify your life to what really
matters."
–Dan Cerrillo