Season 9 - Episode 79 - From Soldier to Soul: A Journey Beyond the Battlefield | Dr. Evette Rose and Rodolfo Young
What happens when a Special Operations soldier trades the battlefield for a meditation cushion? Rodolfo Young's extraordinary journey from military precision to mindful entrepreneurship offers a masterclass in masculine leadership that defies conventional stereotypes.
In this profound conversation, Rodolfo reveals the delicate balance he's cultivated—maintaining powerful masculine presence while rejecting aggression and intimidation in business leadership. "I can always tell a boy from a man by how they respond to criticism," he shares, offering a transformative perspective on mature masculinity that resonates deeply for entrepreneurs struggling with leadership identity.
Drawing from two seemingly opposite worlds—military discipline and two years in silent meditation—Rodolfo unpacks how building a successful business requires solid internal footing rather than external validation. His candid reflections on confronting PTSD reveal a startling insight: the deepest helplessness comes not from external circumstances but from being forced to act against our values. This recognition becomes a powerful framework for understanding the struggles many men face in business environments.
Through stories of corporate coaching and personal transformation, Rodolfo dismantles the myth of the self-made businessman. "The majority of successful businesses did not do it on their own from the beginning," he reveals, challenging listeners to embrace delegation and continuous learning as strengths rather than weaknesses. His approach to company culture—developing leaders rather than maintaining hierarchies—offers a refreshing alternative to toxic workplace dynamics.
The conversation culminates in a surprising yet profound piece of advice: play. Against intuition, especially when business challenges mount, Rodolfo advocates for stepping back and allowing creativity to flow naturally. "Like a river meeting a rock," he suggests, "don't try to force your way through—just flow around it."
Whether you're launching a startup or leading an established organization, this episode will transform how you view masculine strength in business leadership. Listen now to discover how aligning your values with your vision creates not just business success, but personal fulfillment.