THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: How To Master Your Emotions (and Break Emotional Barriers)
Date: November 8, 2025
Host: Ed Mylett | Cumulus Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This powerhouse episode dives deep into the theme of mastering emotions and breaking through emotional barriers. Host Ed Mylett invites an inspiring array of guests—Jason Wilson, Lewis Howes, James Lawrence (the “Iron Cowboy”), NFL Hall-of-Famer Brian Dawkins, iconic speaker Les Brown, and MLB All-Star Sean Casey—to explore masculinity, vulnerability, mental resilience, peak performance, and the role of authenticity and support in overcoming life’s biggest hurdles. Through raw stories, candid confessions, and hard-earned wisdom, they reveal practical ways anyone can unlock peak performance and become the best version of themselves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Masculinity & Emotional Expression with Jason Wilson

[02:11 – 26:12]

• Jason Wilson shares the viral story of gently guiding a crying young boy through breaking a board at his martial arts studio.

  • The incident highlighted that "there's a broken boy inside every man."
  • Wilson explains that boys—and men—are conditioned to suppress emotion, associating crying and vulnerability with weakness.

• Key Insight:
  “If you apply ‘no pain, no gain’ to your entire life, you won't have one.”
  — Jason Wilson [05:12]

• The cultural pressures on men:

  • Wilson, having lost both brothers to violence, discusses how the expectation to be "hyper masculine" leads to deep emotional backlog, sometimes with tragic consequences.
  • Coined THUG as "traumatized human unable to grieve."

• Breaking the cycle:

  • Encourages men to have “moments on the mat” to open up and heal.
  • Emphasizes that women can help by nurturing and accepting male vulnerability.

• Addressing Emotional Incarceration:
  “It’s a self-imposed prison: you’re free to walk out, but you don’t.”
  — Jason Wilson [17:27]

• Message for men contemplating suicide:

  • Worth is not based on work alone; life’s value is inherent.
  • The “lion and the lamb” analogy: Men fear losing their strength by showing softness but, in truth, become more whole by embracing both.

2. Unmasking Vulnerability: Lewis Howes’ Journey

[26:43 – 57:14]

• Lewis Howes recounts his upbringing:
  Stories of small-town struggles, searching for belonging, and wearing "masks" of achievement.

• Dodgeball Game as a Defining Moment:

  • Not being picked triggered a lifelong drive for validation through athletic excellence.
  • “Never again will I be picked last.” [37:41]

• Trauma and the Cost of Suppression:

  • Reveals childhood sexual abuse at age five, which he kept secret for 25 years.
  • Suppressed emotion led to aggression, anger, and destructive behaviors as an adult.

• The Healing Power of Vulnerability:

  • In a transformative workshop, he shares his secret for the first time and experiences deep acceptance and connection.
  • “The thing I was afraid of people knowing the most actually made them trust me more.” — Lewis Howes [50:54]

• Ripple Effect:

  • Sharing his story enables other men—some for the first time in decades—to face and discuss their trauma.
  • “I want to own my story, I don’t want it to own me.” — Lewis Howes [54:49]

3. The Limits of Grit: James Lawrence’s 100 Ironmans

[60:43 – 70:36]

• James Lawrence on peak performance and unreal endurance feats:

  • Explains that you “must adapt and evolve” to survive unimaginable challenges.
  • “The first 15 or 20 [races] are hell. But the body and mind adapt, and that’s where most people quit.” — James Lawrence [61:30]

• On Teamwork and Vulnerability:

  • Suffered severe physical pain and blacked out due to stress fractures.
  • Reveals that open emotional release—accepting help and even crying—was essential.
  • “It’s okay to feel, it’s not okay to quit. It’s okay to process before you hunker down and keep going.” — James Lawrence [66:36]

• Letting Go and Trusting Others:

  • Notes the importance for men, especially, to let go of total control and rely on a solid support team.

4. Creating a Character for Resilience: Brian Dawkins (Weapon X)

[71:32 – 87:19]

• Brian Dawkins discusses emotional mastery in elite sports:

  • Developed the alter ego "Weapon X," channelling Wolverine as his on-field persona to access heightened energy and focus.
  • “Brian Dawkins could not survive in the NFL. That’s why I created Weapon X.” [76:45]

• Preparation and Energy Management:

  • Attributes his success to prayer, preparation, and protecting his energy.
  • “I want to be the thermostat, not the thermometer. I set the temperature in any room I walk into.” — Brian Dawkins [79:27]

• Bringing that leadership energy home:

  • Admits that for years he failed to be emotionally available at home.
  • “When I retired, I realized I needed to provide a blank slate so my family could paint on it.” [83:19]

• Advice for High Achievers:

  • Sometimes, don’t fix—just listen. “Our wives don’t need us to fix everything.” [87:19]

5. Turning Hardship into Testimony: Les Brown’s Origin Story

[88:41 – 100:15]

• Les Brown shares his tough upbringing:

  • Raised in poverty, labeled “educable mentally retarded” as a child.
  • At 10, watched his adopted mother arrested; harbored anger for decades, later letting it go to model forgiveness for his own son.

• Forgiveness and Self-Acceptance:

  • “Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiveness is remembering without anger.” — Les Brown [94:20]

• Dreams as Motivation:

  • “If the dream is big enough, the odds don’t matter.”
  • “It’s what you become in pursuit of the dream that matters.” — Les Brown [97:47]

• On Influence:

  • Pursuing greatness creates a ripple effect and impacts people you’ll never meet.

6. Peak Performance, Mindset, and Emotional Control: Sean Casey

[100:29 – End]

• Former MLB All-Star Sean Casey on sustaining greatness over time:

  • “The storm’s coming. I’m coming.” — Mindset to continually overcome slumps.
    [102:54]

• Switching Intensity:

  • Friendly and optimistic off the field; flipped a switch to fierce competitor in the batter’s box.

• Consistency and Routine:

  • Champions don’t waste opportunities. “The greats never waste a pitch, never waste a day.” — Sean Casey [106:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---|---|---| | 05:12 | Jason Wilson | “If you apply ‘no pain, no gain’ to your entire life, you won’t have one.” | | 17:27 | Jason Wilson | “Emotional incarceration is a self-imposed prison sentence—a door that’s open, but you never come out.” | | 37:41 | Lewis Howes | “Never again will I be picked last.” | | 50:54 | Lewis Howes | “The thing I was afraid of people knowing the most actually made them trust me more.” | | 61:30 | James Lawrence | “The first 15 or 20 are hell…but the body and mind adapt and evolve, and that’s where most people quit.” | | 66:36 | James Lawrence | “It’s okay to feel, it’s not okay to quit…you’ve done enough today to take two seconds and reset.” | | 76:45 | Brian Dawkins | “Brian Dawkins could not perform…on the field. That’s why I became Weapon X.” | | 79:27 | Brian Dawkins | “I want to be a thermostat, not a thermometer; I set the temperature.” | | 87:19 | Brian Dawkins | “Our wives don’t need us to fix everything. Sometimes, just listen.” | | 94:20 | Les Brown | “Forgiveness is not forgetting. Forgiveness is remembering without anger.” | | 97:47 | Les Brown | “If the dream is big enough, the odds don’t matter…it’s what you become in the process.” | | 102:54 | Sean Casey | “The storm’s coming. I’m coming.” | | 106:19 | Sean Casey | “The people at the top never waste a pitch, never waste a call, never waste a day.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Jason Wilson on the “Cave of Adullam” and emotional healing: [03:24 – 08:35]
• Discussion of men and suicide, worth & work: [18:44]
• Jason’s “lion and the lamb” analogy: [22:49]
• Lewis Howes’ dodgeball and abuse stories: [35:32 – 54:47]
• James Lawrence on adapting and mental limits: [61:30 – 66:36]
• Brian Dawkins’ Weapon X and marital emotional vulnerability: [76:45 – 87:19]
• Les Brown on forgiveness and big dreams: [94:18 – 100:15]
• Sean Casey on emotional control and “not wasting a pitch”: [102:54 – End]

Takeaways & Actionable Steps

• For Men: It’s courageous to feel, to cry, to talk, and to pursue healing. Vulnerability is strength.
• For Women: Give the men in your life space and encouragement to open up.
• For Everyone:
  • Your greatest pain may become your greatest testimony.
  • Keep adapting, keep evolving, and do not quit.
  • Your habits and routines will define your level; stay process-focused, not just results-focused.
• For Achievers & Leaders: Bring energy and intentionality everywhere, including at home. Sometimes, don’t try to fix—just listen and be present for those you love.

Stay Connected

Follow THE ED MYLETT SHOW on Apple and Spotify for more candid, transformative episodes. Let this episode serve as a reminder: no matter your background, story, or pain—you can master your emotions, break down barriers, and become the best version of YOU.