I'm Taking off my Mask!

What masks are you wearing, and what would happen if you took them off?

What if life’s greatest challenges held the key to your deepest transformation?

For decades, I wore a mask—a mask of success that society rewarded me for.

On the outside, I had it all: recognition and awards as a global leader in talent development, publishing books and articles, speaking at conferences, and traveling the world with my family.

Beneath that polished exterior, I was hiding deep wounds from years of abuse and extreme poverty.

At six years old, I faced fire—literally. One moment I was playing outside, and the next, my jacket was ablaze. The flames crawled up my back, causing third-degree burns and leaving me with scars—both physical and emotional—that I carry to this day.

As if the physical trauma wasn’t enough, I feared my father’s wrath more than the fire itself. Even when I was released from the hospital, my homecoming wasn’t a celebration of survival; it was another moment to brace myself for what might come next.

My childhood was a battleground, marked by my father’s violent outbursts, fueled by his alcoholism and mental instability. Every day was unpredictable, every moment like walking on thin ice, hoping not to trigger the next explosion. The abuse continued throughout my childhood until, as a teenager, I faced the tragedy of my father taking his own life. I had nearly lost my life, but still, the anger and tension in our home dominated every aspect of my upbringing.

I feared that if people knew the truth, they would see me differently or lose respect for me. So, I hid behind the mask of success, convincing myself that as long as I kept up appearances, no one would ever know.

Society taught me to wear this mask.

As a man, I was expected to push through, suppress my emotions, and project strength. Vulnerability was seen as weakness, so I buried my pain, believing that was the only way to survive. Men are conditioned to think that silence is strength—so much so that only 16% of men ever report abuse. I was part of that silent majority for far too long, hiding my trauma behind a facade of success and stability.

Wearing the mask helped me survive, but it couldn’t heal the wounds or fill the void left by years of silence. I had to confront the shadows behind the mask before they consumed me. Through years of therapy and self-reflection, I peeled back layer after layer of that mask, confronting the painful memories I had long buried. This journey isn’t just about survival; it’s about finding a way to heal and transform that pain into purpose.

Now, after many decades, I’m taking off my mask. This isn’t just my story—it’s a universal one impacting billions of people around the world.

So, I invite you to do the same.

What masks are you wearing?

What pain are you hiding behind your success?

How can you begin to remove your mask and start your journey of healing?

Let's start a conversation. Share your thoughts, experiences, and the masks you’ve worn in the comments. It’s time to take them off.

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