Dont Loose your Edge

May 14, 2025•2 min read

Subject: Don’t Lose Your Edge

Gentlemen,

I meet men all the time—good men—who on the outside seem to have it all. But when I look closer, something’s missing. In their eyes, there's a dullness. They’re subdued, burnt out, and quietly slipping into complacency. Somewhere along the way, they lost their edge.

Life has a way of softening us—responsibility, marriage, kids, bills, work. We become comfortable in our careers, our relationships, our routines. And slowly, some of us stop pushing ourselves! We stop taking risks. We get soft—physically, mentally, and spiritually. We stop living like men on a mission!

Remember when you were younger? Maybe single. You were dialed in. You hit the gym, took pride in how you looked, chased goals, stayed sharp, and lived with a sense of fire! You were extroverted, connected, and competitive. You knew what you wanted and weren’t afraid to go after it.

So why does that fade?
Why do so many men let themselves go once life gets "comfortable"?

Here’s the truth: you can’t afford to lose your edge!

The same passion and energy you once brought to dating, sports, or your career—you need to bring to your health, your leadership, your purpose, and your brotherhood. Your partner still wants to see that fire. Your kids need to see that version of you. And deep down, you need it too!

Because when a man loses his edge, the consequences are real:

He gains weight, but loses confidence.
He stops trying, but wonders why he’s uninspired.
He becomes passive, and slowly resentment builds—toward life, toward himself.
He wakes up one day wondering where the time went and why he no longer recognizes himself. (this is dangerous)

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Look at men like David Goggin's, who still runs ultra-marathons in his late 40s. Look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, who continues to train, lead, and inspire in his 70s. Or Denzel Washington, who has stayed sharp, spiritually grounded, and deeply respected well into his 60s. These are men who kept their edge—and it's no accident. They stayed intentional. Disciplined. Hungry.

So here’s your reminder: Stay fit. Stay DANGEROUS. Stay connected.
Surround yourself with other men who challenge you.
Keep learning. Keep leading. Keep swinging.
Get in the arena. Sweat. Study. Sharpen yourself.

That’s what we’re about in The Association of Excellence—a place where men don’t coast, they rise. A place where you don’t fade into the background—you forge ahead.

Let your family/community feel your presence, strength, and leadership.

Stay Excellent

Rolando Almanzar

Born in the Bronx and raised in Orlando, the author grew up in a financially struggling but loving household led by his mother and grandmother. In his teens, he lost direction—falling into bad influences, identity struggles, and substance abuse—largely due to the absence of a strong male role model. This changed in his mid-20s when he met a mentor who redefined masculinity and personal growth for him. By his 30s, though successful, he still longed for a deeper brotherhood that combined personal development, business, mindset, and fitness. To fill that gap, he co-founded The Association of Excellence, a community where men hold each other accountable and strive for greatness—without gimmicks.

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