I recently found myself coaching a business leader through articulating their company values—a process I've guided many times. We'd identify what matters most, then create behavior statements: "We do X" or "We do Y" as concrete examples of living those values as a team.

It works beautifully for values like honesty, transparency, or customer focus.

But when I applied the same framework to virtues—specifically the eight virtues Heroic teaches us to cultivate—I hit a wall. How do you create a behavior statement for wisdom? What does "We do wisdom" even mean?

That struggle led to an insight that's changing how I approach coaching, and I want to share it with the Heroic community.

The Crucial Difference

I asked bri.ai (the AI trained on everything Brian Johnson has taught) about the difference between virtues and values. Here's what I learned:

Virtues are the essence of qualities we aspire to embody, deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and modern science. They are universal and timeless—like wisdom, courage, love, and self-mastery—forming the foundation of a flourishing life.

Values are more personal and contemporary, reflecting what is important to us individually or collectively as a team or organization. They guide our priorities and choices in the modern context.

I'd add this practical distinction: Values tell us where we're going; virtues are how we get there.

Values are what we care about—our priorities and what we consider worthwhile. They answer: "What matters to me?" or "What matters to us?"

Virtues are qualities of character—excellences we develop through practice. They answer: "Who am I becoming?" or "Who are we becoming as a team?"

Values Work at Every Level

One of the powerful aspects of values is that they scale from the deeply personal to the collective enterprise.

Personal values might include family, health, creativity, or service. Behavior statements begin with "I":

• "I spend quality time with my family every evening"
• "I exercise for at least 30 minutes daily"

Team or organizational values might include innovation, customer-centricity, or transparency. Behavior statements begin with "We":

• "We allocate 10% of our time to experimental projects"
• "We respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours"

The framework is the same whether coaching an individual or a leadership team. Values provide direction; behavior statements make them concrete.

Values as Decision-Making Tools

But values don't just tell us where we're going. In my coaching, I teach that values are what we look at any time we're making a difficult decision.

When someone faces a tough choice—should I take this job? How should we respond to this crisis?—I guide them back to their values and behavior statements.

The answer to any difficult question can be found in our values:

• If you value "family" and a job requires extensive travel, your values clarify the tradeoffs
• If your team values "transparency" and you're debating how to communicate a setback, your behavior statements show you the path
• If you value "integrity" and face a tempting shortcut, your values resolve the tension

This is the practical power of well-articulated values—they transform abstract priorities into concrete decision-making criteria.

Can Virtues Work the Same Way?

This raises a fascinating question: Can virtues be used in the same way as decision-making tools?

Yes and no. And the difference is instructive.

Values help you decide WHAT to do by clarifying your priorities and commitments. They answer: "Given what matters most to me/us, what choice aligns with those priorities?"

Virtues help you decide HOW to do it by developing your judgment and character. They answer: "What does wisdom/courage/love call for in this specific situation?"

Let me illustrate:

Imagine you discover a team member has been cutting corners on quality to meet deadlines.

Using values as a decision-making tool:

• You look at your team value: "We deliver exceptional quality to our customers"
• You check the behavior statement: "We never ship work we're not proud of"
• The decision becomes clear: You need to address this

Using virtues as a decision-making tool:

• Wisdom asks: What's really going on here? Is this a training issue, a pressure issue, or a character issue?
• Courage asks: Am I willing to have the hard conversation rather than avoiding it?
• Love asks: How can I address this in a way that serves this person's growth, not just punishes the mistake?
• Humility asks: Have I created conditions that made this likely? What's my role in this?

See the difference?

Values give you the what—the clear standard. The behavior statements make the answer almost binary: this either aligns with our values or it doesn't.

Virtues give you the how—the wisdom to understand context, the courage to act, the love to do it well, the humility to see your own contribution. They don't give you a binary answer; they develop your capacity to navigate complexity with integrity.

Both Are Essential for Difficult Decisions

The most difficult decisions require both values and virtues.

Values without virtues can lead to rigid, unwise application. You might know your value says "transparency," but without wisdom you might share information prematurely or without love you might be brutally honest in a way that damages rather than builds.

Virtues without values can lead to directionless sophistication. You might exercise great wisdom and courage, but toward what end? In service of what priorities?

Together, they're powerful:

1. Start with values: What do my/our values say about this situation?
2. Apply virtues: How can I approach this with wisdom, courage, love, and humility?
3. Act with integrity: Make the choice that honors both your values (what matters) and embodies the virtues (who you're becoming)

Why Virtues Need Reflection Questions

This helps explain why my original coaching framework broke down with virtues.

Virtues are inherently context-dependent and require judgment. Wisdom doesn't manifest as a single behavior—it's the capacity to know which behavior fits which situation.

This is why virtues work differently as decision-making tools than values. Values can have clear behavior statements because they represent commitments. Virtues require developed judgment because they represent capacities.

Instead of behavior statements, virtues call for reflection questions—prompts that help us examine whether we're developing these capacities over time.

Here are examples with Heroic's eight virtues, applicable both personally and as teams:

Wisdom

• Am I/Are we seeking multiple perspectives before deciding?
• What am I/are we learning from this that I/we can apply going forward?
• Is ego or fear clouding my/our judgment?

Courage

• Am I/Are we avoiding this conversation because of fear?
• What would I/we do if I/we knew we couldn't fail?
• Where am I/are we being called to step up?

Self-Mastery (Discipline)

• Am I/Are we doing what I/we said I/we would do, even when I/we don't feel like it?
• Where am I/are we making excuses rather than progress?

Love

• Am I/Are we showing up with genuine care and compassion?
• How can I/we serve this person's/these people's highest good right now?

Gratitude

• What am I/are we taking for granted that deserves appreciation?
• Can I/we find something to appreciate even in this difficulty?

Hope (Optimism)

• Am I/Are we approaching this challenge as a problem or an opportunity?
• What possibility am I/are we not seeing because I'm/we're fixated on obstacles?

Humility

• Am I/Are we open to being wrong about this?
• What can I/we learn from this person or situation?

Humor

• Am I/Are we taking myself/ourselves too seriously right now?
• Can I/we find lightness in this moment without diminishing its importance?

These questions develop our capacity to find the right answer in each unique situation, whether individually or as a team.

We Need Both for a Flourishing Life

We need both values and virtues for a flourishing life—whether personal or organizational.

Values give us direction and decision-making clarity—they tell us what matters and provide criteria when the path is unclear.

Virtues give us the character and capacity to navigate well—to make wise decisions, to act courageously, to lead with love.

Think of it this way:

• Values are the compass pointing us toward meaningful destinations AND the decision-making criteria when the path is unclear
• Virtues are the character strengths that enable us to navigate the journey with wisdom, courage, and integrity

How This Changes My Coaching

This insight is transforming how I approach my work at MAC6 with individuals and businesses.

Going forward, I'm integrating both:

For Values: Continue using behavior statements

• Create "I do X" statements for individuals
• Create "We do X" statements for teams
• Use values and behavior statements as decision-making tools

For Virtues: Add reflection questions

• Identify which virtues we need to develop
• Create questions for regular practice
• Build character capacity to live our values well
• Use virtue reflection questions to guide HOW we navigate difficult decisions

Together, these create a complete framework:

• Values show us the what and where
• Behavior statements make values concrete
• Virtues develop the who and how
• Reflection questions cultivate virtues over time
• Both work together to guide us through difficult decisions with clarity and integrity

A Practical Example

An individual who values "health and vitality" might have behavior statements like:

• "I exercise for 30 minutes every morning"
• "I get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly"

When facing whether to accept a high-stress promotion, they can look to their values: Does this align with my commitment to health? Will I be able to maintain these behaviors?

But they also need virtues:

• Wisdom to understand the full implications
• Courage to either accept the challenge or decline gracefully
• Self-mastery to maintain healthy boundaries
• Hope to trust in their ability to thrive

A company valuing "innovation" might have behavior statements like:

• "We allocate 10% of our time to experimental projects"
• "We celebrate intelligent failures"

When facing whether to pivot strategy after a failed initiative, they look to their values: Does pivoting align with celebrating intelligent failures?

And they need virtues:

• Wisdom to discern the right lessons
• Courage to make a bold change
• Humility to acknowledge what didn't work
• Love to support team members through transition

The values provide clarity on what matters; the virtues provide the capacity to act with integrity.

The Heroic Foundation

This is why Heroic's emphasis on the eight virtues is so powerful. Brian Johnson has built the foundation that makes everything else possible.

The eight virtues—wisdom, courage, self-mastery, love, gratitude, hope, humility, and humor—aren't just teaching content. They're the universal, timeless character infrastructure that allows us to pursue any value, achieve any mission, navigate any difficult decision, and build any life or organization worth building.

As I integrate virtues into my MAC6 coaching—both with individuals and leadership teams—I'm grateful for the framework Heroic provides. These are practical capacities we can develop through daily practice and reflection.

From Knowing to Being

Behavior statements work for values because values are about what we do and what we decide. Virtues are about who we are and who we're becoming—and how we navigate complexity.

As Aristotle taught, we become virtuous by practicing virtuous acts. But that practice isn't rote repetition—it's thoughtful reflection, adjustment, and growth over time.

The reflection questions honor this developmental nature. They're not checklists to complete but capacities to strengthen—daily, consistently, over a lifetime.

A question for Brian and the Heroic community: Does this integration of values and virtues resonate? As we work toward 51% of humanity flourishing, how can we help both individuals and organizations develop the clarity of values for decision-making and the character of virtues for wise navigation?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Scott McIntosh is Co-founder and Chairman of Heroic Arizona and Co-founder of MAC6 Growth Academy, working toward the mission of 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.

If you've ever tried to explain Heroic to a friend, you know the struggle.

"It's a personal development app... but it's more than that. It's based on ancient philosophy... but also modern science. It helps athletes and executives... but also people who are just trying to get out of bed in the morning."

Your friend nods politely, still confused.

You're not alone. Even those of us who have experienced the profound impact of Heroic's tools and community often stumble when trying to capture it in a sentence. How do you describe something that synthesizes 600+ of the world's greatest books on human flourishing into daily practices that actually work?

John Mackey, founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, calls Heroic "the best self-development platform in the world." And he's right. But what does that even mean? In a market flooded with meditation apps, productivity hacks, and motivational content, what makes Heroic different?

An Operating System for Life

Here's the framing that finally clicks: Heroic is an operating system for life.

Think about what an operating system does for your computer or phone. It doesn't do just one thing—it integrates everything. It manages your energy (battery), your processes (apps), your connections (network), and your output (display). Without it, you have expensive hardware that doesn't work together.

HeroicOS does the same thing for you.

Most personal development approaches give you one piece of the puzzle. A fitness app tracks your workouts. A meditation app helps you breathe. A productivity system organizes your tasks. But they don't talk to each other, and they certainly don't address the deeper question: Why are you doing any of this in the first place?

Heroic integrates everything—your energy (how you eat, move, and sleep), your habits (the systems that make excellence inevitable), your mindset (the Stoic practices that build antifragile confidence), and your purpose (the "why" that gives meaning to your effort). It draws from ancient wisdom traditions that have stood the test of millennia and validates them with modern science and peer-reviewed research.

For High Performers AND Those Who Are Struggling

Here's what makes Heroic genuinely different from the typical performance-optimization content: it works for everyone.

The same fundamental protocols that help elite athletes and Fortune 500 executives perform at their peak also help someone who's battling anxiety, recovering from loss, or simply trying to find their footing again. The same wisdom from Marcus Aurelius that steels a leader for a difficult board meeting can comfort someone facing a health crisis.

This isn't about "crushing it" or "10x-ing your productivity." It's about closing the gap between who you're capable of being and who you're actually being—whatever that means for you, wherever you're starting from.

Some days, showing up heroically means leading a team through a challenging quarter. Other days, it means getting out of bed when depression is whispering that you shouldn't bother. Heroic meets you where you are.

Something Is Changing

Heroic has always been powerful for those who discovered it. But the team at Heroic Public Benefit Corporation recognizes that powerful and accessible aren't always the same thing. The depth that makes Heroic transformative can also make it overwhelming for newcomers.

So they're doing something about it.

Brian Johnson—Heroic's founder and CEO, who has personally trained over 10,000 coaches and distilled wisdom from 600+ of the greatest philosophers, scientists, and spiritual teachers into practical protocols—is reimagining how Heroic introduces itself to the world. The goal: make the life-changing tools more accessible to everyone, regardless of where they are in their journey.

And he's coming to Arizona to share what's coming.

Join Us January 27th

On Tuesday, January 27th, Brian Johnson will be at MAC6 in Tempe for an evening that's part inspiration, part practical training, and part preview of what's next for the Heroic community.

5:00 - 6:00 PM — Social Hour
6:00 - 7:30 PM — Main Event (in-person and virtual options available)

This isn't a typical motivational talk. This is a chance to:

• Experience what Heroic is really about—not in an app or on a screen, but in a room full of people committed to becoming the best version of themselves
• Discover practical tools you can implement immediately—the same protocols used by world-class performers
• Connect with a growing Arizona community that's building something meaningful together
• Hear firsthand about the changes coming to make Heroic more accessible than ever

Whether you've been part of the Heroic community for years or you're just curious about what all the fuss is about, this evening is designed for you.

An Invitation

Heroic Arizona exists because we believe something simple: human flourishing shouldn't be complicated, and nobody should have to figure it out alone.

We're the world's first local chapter of Heroic, building a community here in Arizona where people support each other in the actual, daily work of becoming who they're capable of being. Not through empty affirmations or shallow hacks, but through the integration of ancient wisdom, modern science, and genuine human connection.

Brian's visit is a chance to see what that looks like—and to discover whether it might be what you've been looking for.

Register for An Evening With Brian Johnson →

Space is limited. Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available.

Heroic Arizona is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the world's first local chapter of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation. We're building a community of people committed to moving from theory to practice to mastery in the art of living well.

As we stand just beyond the threshold of 2026, I want to share a perspective that might just change how you think about New Year's resolutions.

Every January, gyms fill up with well-intentioned people committed to getting physically fit. We resolve to lose weight, exercise more, eat better. These are wonderful goals—and I genuinely hope you pursue them if they serve you.

But here's what rarely makes our resolution list: mental fitness.

Think about that for a moment. We instinctively understand that our physical muscles need exercise to stay strong. We know that if we don't use them, we lose them. Yet somehow, we forget that our minds work the same way.

The truth is, mental fitness may be even more important than physical fitness. Your mind determines everything—how you show up in relationships, how you handle stress, whether you follow through on those gym resolutions, how you lead your team, how you show up as a parent or grandparent. It shapes the quality of your entire life experience.

Here's the good news: Just like physical fitness, mental fitness can be developed through practice. Your brain is neuroplastic—it literally rewires itself based on what you practice. And the science shows us that relatively small, consistent practices can create profound changes.

A Resolution That Actually Sticks

So here's my invitation as we enter 2026: Instead of making another resolution that's likely to be broken by February, what if you made a much simpler commitment?

Simply resolve to EXPLORE mental fitness in 2026.

That's it. Just explore it. Learn about it. Try some practices. See what resonates.

This isn't about perfection. It's about curiosity. And here's the beautiful irony: by focusing on mental fitness, you may actually overcome whatever mental roadblocks have been sabotaging your other goals—including those gym resolutions.

Three Easy Ways to Start Your Exploration in January

1) Attend a Heroic Clarity & Antifragile Confidence Workshop

Saturday, January 10th is Heroic's Global Workshop Day, and we're hosting multiple workshops in both Phoenix and Tucson. These 90-minute experiences will introduce you to the ancient wisdom, modern science, and practical tools that form the foundation of the Heroic approach to mental fitness.

Here are links to workshops you can attend in either Phoenix (Tempe) or Tucson.

Phoenix (Tempe):  Activate Your Heroic Potential - Clarity and Confidence Workshop

• Saturday, 10 January, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
• MAC6 1438 W. Broadway Rd Tempe, Arizona 85282

Tucson:  Clarity & Confidence Workshop

• Saturday, 10 January, 10 AM to 2 PM
• 3 Pillars Performance Group — 6000 S. Country Club Rd, #124, Tucson, AZ

If those dates / times don’t work for your schedule, simply reply to this email and let me know you're interested—I'll personally work with you to find a date, time, and location that does work. We'll be scheduling multiple workshops throughout January and beyond.

Not in Arizona – Check out Heroic.us for workshop locations across the globe.

2) Join Our Positive Intelligence Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, January 20th at MAC6 in Tempe, my son Kyle (MAC6's President) and I will be hosting a lunch and learn on Positive Intelligence—an incredibly powerful framework that beautifully complements Heroic's approach.

Positive Intelligence Lunch & Learn: Transform Your Mental Fitness in 2026

If you're curious about the brain science behind mental fitness, this is for you. We'll teach you something called "PQ Reps"—a simple practice I can genuinely guarantee will change your life if you use it. And the best part? It's ridiculously easy to build into your daily routine. No special equipment, no extra time carved out of your day, just a few seconds here and there that compound into profound change.

The synergy between Heroic and Positive Intelligence is extraordinary. Both are grounded in neuroscience, both offer practical daily practices, and both transform how you experience life from the inside out.

Not in Arizona – check out PositiveIntelligence.com and / or reply to let me know your interest.

3) Mark Your Calendar: Tuesday evening, January 27th

I'm thrilled to announce that Brian Johnson (Heroic's Founder & CEO) and Head Coach Michael Balchan will be joining us for an open-to-the-public event the evening of Tuesday, January 27th at MAC6. This is your chance to learn directly from the masters who've spent decades synthesizing ancient wisdom, modern science, and practical tools for human flourishing.

An Evening With Brian Johnson

Join us for a powerful Tuesday evening with Brian Johnson, founder and CEO of Heroic Public Benefit Corporation. Brian has trained 10,000+ coaches globally and distilled wisdom from 600+ of the world's greatest philosophers, scientists, and spiritual teachers into practical protocols for thriving.

This isn't just another talk. It's a chance to:

• Experience what the Heroic movement is really about
• Connect with a growing community of people committed to excellence
• Discover practical tools you can use immediately
• See firsthand what Arizona is building—and how you can be part of it

Whether you're already part of the Heroic community or completely new to it, this evening will inspire, equip, and connect you.

Not in Arizona – great, register and we’ll send you a zoom link to participate virtually.

Important note: This evening event is not a substitute for attending a workshop or exploring Positive Intelligence—it's a complement. Think of workshops as where you learn the fundamentals and get practice with the tools, and this event as inspiration and deeper learning from those who've dedicated their lives to this work.

Be a Hero to Others

Here's my final thought as we close out 2025: The work of mental fitness serves you, but it also serves everyone around you. A mentally fit you is a better partner, parent, leader, friend, and community member.

And as you explore mental fitness yourself, consider being a hero to others by inviting them into this exploration. Forward this email to someone who might benefit. Bring a friend to a workshop. Share what you're learning.

Our mission at Heroic Arizona is to help 51% of humanity flourish by 2051. That starts with each of us doing our own work—and then helping others do theirs.

Here's to making 2026 your best year ever.

With respect and gratitude,

Scott

The Paradox of Trust: Why Human Flourishing Requires Both Personal Development and Institutional Reform

A case study from South Africa where Heroic Ancient Wisdom meets real-world institutional barriers

The Human Paradox We All Live

Think about your own life for a moment. You probably believe most people are fundamentally good—and you're right. We're the species that stops to help strangers with flat tires, returns lost wallets, and organizes relief efforts after disasters. Our capacity for empathy and cooperation is real and powerful.

Yet you also lock your doors at night. You read contracts carefully. You verify your bank statements. You practice "trust but verify."

This isn't contradiction—it's wisdom about human nature.

Adam Smith understood this profoundly. In The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759), he described humans as fundamentally social beings, hardwired for sympathy and virtue. We naturally care what others think and seek to be worthy of love and admiration. But seventeen years later in The Wealth of Nations, he showed how self-interest—not benevolence—organizes economic life when properly channeled through competitive markets. The butcher serves you well not from altruism but because he needs your business and faces rivals.

Smith wasn't contradicting himself. He was recognizing human complexity: we possess moral sentiments and self-interest, sympathy and ambition, generosity and calculation. We're capable of extraordinary kindness and calculated self-interest, often in the same afternoon.

This is exactly what Heroic philosophy teaches: we must see reality clearly—including our own nature—rather than demanding we become angels. We build Antifragile Confidence not through naive optimism that everyone will do right, but through robust systems that work with human complexity without catastrophic failure.

The Institutional Question: Who Do We Trust?

Here's where it gets interesting. We apply this insight inconsistently.

Propose a business solution and critics immediately ask: "But what if companies exploit people?" Fair question. So we create market competition—the built-in check where businesses that fail to serve customers lose them to rivals. Profit and loss provide continuous, automatic accountability.

But propose a government solution and the same critics assume benevolence: "The government will protect people." Why? Government officials are humans too—subject to the same self-interest, capable of the same corruption, responsive to the same incentives. They seek larger budgets, expanded mandates, enhanced prestige. Yet somehow we trust regulatory power in hands that are just as human—and often less accountable—than business leaders.

The American Founders knew better. Their constitutional checks and balances assumed that all power corrupts and must be constrained. As Madison wrote in Federalist 51: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." The genius of American constitutional design is that it works for actual humans—flawed, self-interested, capable of both good and ill—not for the saints and tyrants that exist nowhere.

This is applied humility: recognizing we're not wise enough or virtuous enough to concentrate power anywhere without inviting abuse. The market's discipline is built-in through competition. Government requires external discipline through constitutional limits, competing branches, and electoral accountability.

Both insights flow from the same source: realistic assessment of human complexity coupled with institutional designs that channel self-interest toward social benefit or constrain its capacity for harm.

When Good Intentions Meet Bad Institutional Design: The South Africa Story

This isn't just philosophical theory. It's playing out right now in South Africa, where someone from our Heroic community is living this paradox daily.

Meet Alycia Lee.

Originally from Los Angeles, Alycia could have pursued any number of comfortable career paths. Instead, she dedicated her life to making a difference in South Africa. She's been part of the Heroic community for many years, becoming both a certified Heroic coach and certified Heroic workshop instructor. She's mastered not just the philosophy but the pedagogical methods that enable human transformation.

Alycia brings Heroic Clarity and Antifragile Confidence workshops to some of South Africa's most impoverished communities—youth and families who face obstacles most of us cannot imagine. These aren't communities suffering from lack of potential, work ethic, or aspiration. They're communities suffocating under institutional dysfunction, where extraordinary human capability meets overwhelming systemic barriers.

Her work delivers profound impact. Participants discover they're capable of far more than their circumstances suggested. They develop resilience that helps them navigate poverty and discrimination. They find purpose that sustains effort even when progress is slow. They gain clarity about what's within their control and build confidence that strengthens under pressure rather than shattering.

But here's where Alycia's work encounters its most painful contradiction: she's preparing people to flourish in an institutional environment designed to prevent flourishing.

The Internet Crisis: When Infrastructure Becomes a Human Rights Issue

Alycia's work requires internet connectivity. The Heroic platform includes digital resources—videos, assessments, community forums, coaching tools. Her participants need to access online educational content, connect with global opportunities, develop digital literacy essential for modern life.

In rural South African communities, reliable internet simply doesn't exist.

She spends hours trying to conduct workshops with spotty connections that cut out mid-session. Participants cannot access follow-up resources. Online coaching becomes impossible. The digital divide isn't abstract—it's a daily obstacle preventing the transformation work she's committed her life to achieving.

Starlink could solve this immediately. Satellite internet works brilliantly in exactly these rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure is absent or failing. The technology exists, works well, and costs relatively little to deploy. This isn't a future possibility—it's an available solution to a present crisis.

But South Africa's 30% black equity ownership requirement for foreign investment has created a years-long impasse.

The Equity Trap: When Redressing Injustice Creates New Injustice

No one disputes that historically disadvantaged populations should benefit from new investment. South Africa's apartheid legacy created massive wealth disparities along racial lines. Requiring foreign investors to include black ownership seems logical, even moral.

The problem lies in implementation: Who decides which black South Africans receive the mandated equity?

When government officials control who gets 30% of valuable equity stakes, that power becomes currency. Political connections matter more than merit. Favorites get enriched while the broader population sees little benefit. This pattern has repeated throughout South Africa's Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) history: a small elite accumulates wealth through political access while millions remain impoverished.

For Alycia, this creates agonizing complexity. She needs connectivity now to serve communities today. Every month without Starlink is another month of workshops hampered by technology failures, another cohort unable to access digital resources, another set of families cut off from economic opportunities requiring internet access.

Yet she also recognizes that if Starlink enters through traditional equity requirements, politically connected individuals will be enriched while the youth she serves—who need that connectivity desperately—remain impoverished. The very communities most harmed by lack of internet access will see the least benefit from mandated equity ownership, while elites who already have multiple access options capture the financial gains.

This is the institutional design failure we're talking about: good intentions filtered through systems that concentrate discretionary power inevitably breed corruption and elite capture.

A Breakthrough? The Alternative Proposal and the Trust Question

In recent days, Starlink has apparently proposed an alternative to traditional equity transfer, reportedly involving commitments to:

• Infrastructure investment in underserved areas, prioritizing rural and township communities
• Skills development programs training South Africans in satellite technology and digital skills
• Educational partnerships providing reduced-cost connectivity to schools and community centers
• Local procurement commitments sourcing from South African businesses
• Revenue sharing mechanisms directing a percentage toward community development funds

This shifts the question from "who gets to own a piece" to "how does everyone benefit."

But the proposal faces vigorous opposition. Black South African leaders are asking crucial questions: Why should we trust Starlink to honor these commitments? What enforcement mechanisms exist? South Africa has repeatedly seen foreign companies make grand promises during negotiations, then fail to deliver once market access is secured. The skepticism isn't paranoia—it's pattern recognition from painful experience.

Here's where the analysis must go deeper: Much of the vigorous opposition comes from politically connected individuals who stood to benefit from traditional equity ownership arrangements—often the same people who've enriched themselves through previous BEE deals while poverty persists.

Both concerns are valid simultaneously: Corporate promises can evaporate without enforcement. Equity distributed through political discretion tends to benefit elites rather than masses. The challenge isn't choosing which concern to credit—it's designing institutional arrangements that address both.

The Institutional Solution: Making Trust Unnecessary

This is where human complexity framework becomes actionable policy. We acknowledge that corporations pursue self-interest, officials pursue self-interest, and both can be channeled toward social benefit through proper institutional design.

The solution isn't choosing between trusting Starlink or trusting government—it's creating verification mechanisms that make trust unnecessary:

Independent oversight commission with civil society representatives (not government officials or corporate reps) to verify compliance and trigger penalties for failures.

Specific, measurable commitments with timelines: "Deploy service to X rural schools by [date], provide Y training positions by [date], source Z% of procurement from South African businesses."

Progressive market access tied to performance: Allow deployment in underserved areas first, with expansion to profitable urban markets contingent on meeting rural commitments.

Transparent public reporting: Quarterly public data on infrastructure deployed, training delivered, procurement spending—all independently auditable.

Community-level verification: Give communities themselves—including organizations like Alycia's—formal roles in reporting whether promised services materialize.

Meaningful penalties: Clear consequences for non-compliance: fines, license suspension, market access restrictions.

This framework addresses both concerns. It constrains corporate behavior without requiring trust in corporate benevolence. It provides enforceable benefits without requiring trust in official integrity. It distributes benefits broadly without creating discretionary power over valuable assets.

Most importantly, it enables immediate deployment to communities like those Alycia serves while building in verification that promises must be kept.

The Heroic Mission: Why Personal Development Needs Institutional Reform

Here's where everything connects to our mission: 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.

We cannot achieve this through personal development alone. Teaching individuals clarity, confidence, and virtue is essential but insufficient when institutional arrangements punish those very qualities.

Imagine a young South African woman who completes Alycia's workshop. She gains clarity about her purpose, develops antifragile confidence, learns ancient wisdom about virtue and modern science about emotional regulation. She's ready to flourish. Then what?

If institutions support flourishing: She starts a business—registration takes days, property rights are secure, contracts are enforceable, she competes on merit. Her clarity and confidence translate directly into economic opportunity. She accesses online education via reliable internet, connects with global markets. Her personal development compounds into collective prosperity.

If institutions prevent flourishing: She faces regulatory mazes, officials demanding bribes, competitors protected through political connections, property rights uncertain, internet access spotty or absent. Her clarity reveals system corruption; her confidence gets beaten down by arbitrary obstacles. She either becomes cynical and works informally in a constrained economy, emigrates to use her talents elsewhere, or—worst of all—learns to succeed through corruption, perpetuating the very system that constrains others.

The institutional environment determines whether personal development leads to flourishing or frustration.

This is why advocates for human potential must also become advocates for institutional reform. The Heroic approach recognizes this interdependence:

• Individual Development: Programs like Alycia's teaching clarity, confidence, virtue, and wisdom
• Institutional Advocacy: Pushing for structures that enable rather than prevent flourishing
• Community Building: Connecting people who share Heroic principles into supportive networks
• Leadership Development: Bringing Heroic principles to people in positions of power
• Practical Demonstration: Supporting specific projects that show flourishing is possible

All five dimensions reinforce each other. Alycia embodies this integration—developing people's internal capacities while advocating for institutional arrangements that let those capacities manifest.

When her workshop participants develop antifragile confidence, they become people who can demand better institutions without descending into victimhood or cynicism. They can acknowledge systemic barriers while taking responsibility for what's within their control. They can engage political debates with clarity rather than tribalism. They embody the integration of personal development and institutional awareness that our mission requires.

Call to Action: Support Transformation Work That Changes Systems

Heroic Arizona has established a $5,000 matching fund to support Alycia's work in South Africa. But we need your help to unlock it.

Every dollar you donate will be matched, doubling your impact, helping us raise a total of $10,000 to support:

• Heroic Clarity and Antifragile Confidence workshops for impoverished youth and families
• Advocacy work for institutional reforms that enable rather than prevent flourishing
• Documentation of the impact of connectivity gaps on transformation work
• Community-level verification systems for ensuring foreign investment actually serves communities
• Building a model for how the global Heroic community can support both personal development and institutional reform

Alycia brings unique credibility to this work:

✓ She's sacrificed for South Africa: Dedicated her life to serving impoverished communities far from home
✓ She has no financial stake: Her only interest is enabling communities to flourish
✓ She experiences the costs directly: Every day without connectivity makes her work harder
✓ She represents community interests: Works with the actually disadvantaged, not the politically connected
✓ She's Heroic-trained: Her understanding of human nature and institutional design provides frameworks for navigating complexity

Your donation enables Alycia to dedicate time to advocacy work—writing, meeting with officials, engaging media, coordinating with community organizations—rather than being entirely consumed by fundraising for basic operational needs. It's seed funding for institutional advocacy informed by ground truth and guided by Heroic principles.

How to Donate

Visit the Heroic Arizona Donation page:

Heroic Arizona is a USA registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible, and you'll receive an official tax receipt for your contribution.

Whether you can give $25, $250, or $2,500—every contribution brings us closer to the $10,000 goal and gets matched dollar-for-dollar. Your support isn't just helping one person or one community—you're investing in a model for how the Heroic community can support the mission of 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.

The Work Continues

Human goodness is real but insufficient. Human complexity is real and workable. Systems matter.

Adam Smith understood this. The American Founders understood this. The Heroic philosophy teaches us to understand this—to see reality clearly, including our own nature, and then build from that clear foundation.

We need systems designed for actual humans—capable of both nobility and selfishness, virtue and vice—not for the angels or tyrants that exist nowhere. That means building markets that channel self-interest productively through competition, governments constrained by checks and balances, and supporting people like Alycia who integrate personal transformation with institutional advocacy.

The barriers she faces aren't unique to South Africa. Everywhere humans build institutions, those institutions can either support or suppress flourishing. The specific forms vary, but the pattern repeats: power concentrates, officials pursue self-interest, systems designed to help become systems of extraction.

The solution also repeats: distributed accountability through markets, constrained authority through governmental checks and balances, personal development through wisdom traditions, and advocacy connecting these pieces into coherent transformation.

Fifty-one percent of humanity flourishing by 2051. It's an audacious goal. But it's achievable if we work on all dimensions simultaneously—developing people, building communities, transforming institutions, cultivating leaders, and demonstrating what flourishing looks like in practice.

Alycia is doing this work on the ground in one of the world's most challenging environments. She needs our support—financial, yes, but also our commitment to understanding that the Heroic mission requires both personal evolution and institutional revolution.

The work continues. The mission matters. The time is now.

Support Alycia's Work

Donate now at Heroic Arizona
Every dollar donated will be matched up to $5,000
Tax-deductible • 501(c)(3) nonprofit • Official receipt provided

Help us raise $10,000 to support transformation work that changes both individuals and the systems that enable—or prevent—their flourishing.

Scott McIntosh is cofounder of MAC6, and cofounder / Chairman of Heroic Arizona, working toward the mission of 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.

The Foundation: Why Freedom and Individual Flourishing Aren't Enough

For millennia, heroic ancient wisdom has provided individuals with the tools to thrive personally—cultivating virtue, resilience, and purpose. This wisdom remains powerful and necessary. Yet individual flourishing alone cannot address humanity's greatest challenge: the natural state of extreme poverty that has defined most of human existence.

Here's the sobering reality: for 99% of human history, the vast majority lived in conditions we would today consider abject poverty. Life expectancy rarely exceeded 30 years, infant mortality was devastating, and basic necessities like clean water, adequate nutrition, and shelter remained luxuries for the few. This wasn't an aberration—this was humanity's default state.

What broke this pattern? Not charity, not government programs, not good intentions alone. What finally lifted billions from poverty was the systematic establishment of economic freedom, free markets, and the entrepreneurial capitalism that naturally emerges when people are free to create, compete, and trade.

The Freedom Prerequisite: Why Free Enterprise Is Non-Negotiable

Before we can address Maslow's hierarchy of needs at scale, we must acknowledge a fundamental truth: freedom comes first. Without economic freedom—the right to start businesses, own property, compete fairly, and keep the fruits of one's labor—entrepreneurship cannot emerge, and human flourishing remains limited to the privileged few.

This isn't political ideology; it's historical fact. Every society that has successfully lifted its people from poverty has done so through some combination of:

• Economic freedom: The ability to start businesses without excessive government interference
• Property rights: Legal protection for what people create and own
• Free markets: Systems where prices reflect real supply and demand
• Rule of law: Consistent, fair enforcement of contracts and rights

When these foundations exist, entrepreneurship flourishes. When they don't, even the most well-intentioned efforts to help humanity struggle to create lasting change.

Entrepreneurship uniquely addresses each level of human needs precisely because free enterprise creates:

• Products and services that meet basic human needs at scale and at prices people can afford
• Jobs and economic stability that provide security and pathway to prosperity
• Communities and networks that foster belonging and collaborative growth
• Opportunities for achievement that build esteem and enable people to contribute their gifts

But entrepreneurship cannot exist without its essential prerequisite: economic freedom.

The Critical Foundation: Freedom + Free Enterprise = Human Flourishing

Successful entrepreneurship requires more than individual initiative or good ideas. It demands a system built on two critical pillars:

1. Economic Freedom: The Non-Negotiable Foundation

Without the freedom to start businesses, compete fairly, protect intellectual property, and operate within consistent legal frameworks, entrepreneurial energy dissipates into corruption, rent-seeking, and stagnation. History shows us repeatedly that societies without economic freedom remain trapped in poverty, regardless of their natural resources or human talent.

2. Free Enterprise System: The Scaling Mechanism

Free markets provide the essential feedback loops that ensure resources flow to their most productive uses. When entrepreneurs succeed by serving real human needs, they generate profits that can be reinvested in further innovation and job creation. When they fail to serve humanity, the market eliminates them. This natural selection process is what makes free enterprise humanity's most powerful tool for wealth creation and poverty reduction.

This creates a virtuous cycle where today's successful entrepreneurs become tomorrow's investors, continuously expanding the ecosystem of opportunity—but only when operating within a framework of economic freedom.

The Undeniable Truth: Free Enterprise Forces Businesses to Serve Humanity

Here's the profound insight often overlooked by critics of capitalism: every genuinely successful business operating within a free enterprise system must, by economic necessity, serve and uplift humanity. This isn't idealism—it's the iron law of competitive markets.

Why does free enterprise create this result? Because sustainable profits only come from creating genuine value for others. In truly free markets:

• Businesses that exploit or harm customers lose them to competitors
• Companies that mistreat employees lose talent to better employers
• Organizations that damage communities face boycotts and regulatory consequences
• Enterprises that ignore societal needs find their markets disappearing

The market rewards those who:

• Solve real human problems better than alternatives
• Improve quality of life at accessible prices
• Create meaningful employment and growth opportunities
• Generate wealth that expands the overall economic pie

Conversely, businesses that succeed through cronyism, government favoritism, or market manipulation are not operating in truly free enterprise—they're exploiting systems where economic freedom has been compromised.

Heroic: Conscious Entrepreneurship Within Free Enterprise

Heroic Public Benefit Corporation (Heroic.us) exemplifies how conscious entrepreneurs leverage economic freedom to create scalable positive impact:

1. Entrepreneurial Vision: Built on ancient wisdom principles to help individuals unlock their potential within a free market system
2. Capital Investment: Funded by successful entrepreneurs who understand that freedom creates the conditions for human development to flourish
3. Scalable Impact: Using technology and competitive advantage to reach millions with life-changing tools
4. Market-Driven Mission: Explicitly dedicated to elevating human flourishing while operating as a sustainable, profitable enterprise
5. Free Enterprise Success: Creating a business model that thrives precisely because it makes others thrive—the essence of conscious capitalism within economic freedom

This demonstrates how free enterprise and conscious purpose align: when entrepreneurs are free to innovate and compete, the most successful approaches are those that genuinely serve humanity.

The Call to Action: Defending and Expanding Economic Freedom

This brings us to the true foundation of what we must do as heroes: defend and expand economic freedom while supporting conscious entrepreneurs worldwide. We must combine heroic principles with free enterprise—not just because it works, but because it's the only system that has ever lifted billions from poverty to prosperity.

Our mission must be:

• Elevating individual consciousness through ancient wisdom
• Defending and promoting economic freedom wherever it's threatened
• Supporting entrepreneurial ventures that operate within free markets to serve humanity
• Creating networks of conscious capitalists who understand that freedom and purpose are inseparable
• Demonstrating that free enterprise and conscious purpose aren't just compatible—they're synergistic

The evidence is overwhelming: societies with greater economic freedom consistently show higher levels of prosperity, innovation, life expectancy, environmental protection, and social mobility. This isn't coincidence—it's the natural result of allowing human creativity and compassion to flourish within competitive markets.

Conclusion: The Freedom-Prosperity Connection

The path from individual wisdom to global prosperity runs through economic freedom and conscious entrepreneurship. When people are free to create, compete, and serve others in markets, we create an upward spiral that has lifted billions from humanity's default state of poverty:

Individual wisdom → Economic freedom → Purposeful entrepreneurship → Free market competition → Investment capital → Scaled impact → Human flourishing → More conscious entrepreneurs → Greater prosperity for all → Defense and expansion of the freedom that makes it all possible

This isn't just business strategy—it's a heroic mission to permanently lift humanity from its natural state of poverty into an era of unprecedented flourishing. But it only works when built on the foundation of economic freedom.

The evidence is clear, the moral case is compelling, and the practical results speak for themselves: Freedom and free enterprise aren't just nice-to-have luxuries—they're essential prerequisites for human flourishing at scale.

That's the heroic way. That's conscious capitalism within free enterprise. That's how we permanently lift humanity out of poverty.

The Movement Only Works If You Do

There’s a moment in every movement when inspiration must turn into action.
This is that moment.

Heroic isn’t just an idea—it’s a mission.
To help 51% of the world flourish by 2051.

That’s not a slogan. It’s a commitment.
A declaration that human flourishing is possible—and that it starts with us.

Because the truth is simple:
The movement only works if you do.

We Are the Movement

Life is hard. Everyone faces challenges—visible and invisible.
Many people are doing their best, yet lack the tools, community, and support to rise above the chaos of modern life.

Heroic is the forge—where we build the tools we need to meet life’s challenges with Courage, Love, Hope, and Zest. It’s where we strengthen our virtues, our energy, and our purpose—together.

And right now, the forge is blazing hot.

Heroic PBC is launching the new Virtual Heroic Workshop Instructor Training—an opportunity for anyone, anywhere to learn how to lead others toward greater flourishing.

And on January 10th, the world will unite for the Global Heroic Activation Day, where hundreds of Heroic Workshops will be held across the globe to help people activate their best selves.

This is the time to step up—to not only live Heroically, but to share it.

Your Practice. Your Participation. Your Power.

If you’ve ever felt the pull to do more—to live with greater purpose, to help others, to make a difference—this is your invitation.

1. Be deliberate in your practice.
   Live the virtues daily. Train your mind, body, and spirit.
   Commit to your own flourishing first—so you can help others flourish too.

2. Be active in your participation.
   Join the movement. Sign up for the Virtual Instructor Training. Attend the January 10th Global Activation.
   Bring your family, friends, and colleagues into the conversation.

3. Be generous in your power.
   Share your ideas for how Heroic Arizona can support your personal journey.
   Offer your skills, creativity, and talents to strengthen our local community.
   Every gift matters. Every voice counts. Every act of service multiplies impact.

When you do, you become part of something extraordinary—a community committed to wisdom, courage, love, and the flourishing of all.

The Call Is Now

We can talk about hope for the world, or we can build it—one person, one workshop, one community at a time.

Heroic isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up.
Again and again. Together.

So let’s do this.
Let’s practice deliberately. Participate fully.
And use our collective power to change the world—starting right here in Arizona.

Join the movement. Be Heroic.

A Weekend of Grit, Community, and Heroic Spirit

Something extraordinary is happening this weekend in Arizona, and we want YOU to be part of it.

From Friday afternoon, October 31st through Sunday afternoon, November 2nd, over 2,200 runners and supporters from across Arizona and the country will descend on McDowell Mountain Regional Park for the Ragnar Trail Relay—and Heroic Arizona will be right in the heart of the action.

Meet Team Antifragile

Our Heroic Arizona team isn't just showing up—we're going ALL IN. Team Antifragile will tackle this epic challenge as a running relay, starting at 8:30 AM Saturday morning and pushing through the night until Sunday, covering 120 total trail miles. That's resilience in action. That's what it means to be antifragile.

More Than a Race—It's a Village

Picture this: 2,200 people living together in a vibrant tent village, united by a shared commitment to challenge themselves and celebrate life. There will be food trucks serving up fuel, campfires bringing people together under the stars, outdoor movies, and a festive beer garden where stories of triumph are shared long into the night.

And right in the middle of it all? The Heroic Arizona tent.

Come Experience the Heroic Hub

We're creating something special—a space where participants can:

• Strike a pose at our "I Am a Hero" photo backdrop
• Share their unique heroic superpower on our giant community poster board
• Connect with like-minded individuals who are committed to flourishing
• Learn how Heroic Arizona is building a community of people living their best lives

This is OUR crowd. These are people who wake up early, push their limits, and choose courage over comfort. They're already living heroically—many just don't know there's a community waiting for them.

We Need Heroes Like YOU

Here's your invitation to be part of something bigger: We need volunteers, especially on Sunday from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

Volunteer for just a 4-hour shift and receive:

• A free Team Antifragile shirt
• The chance to cheer on our team as they push through the final miles
• The opportunity to introduce hundreds of people to Heroic and Heroic Arizona
• An unforgettable experience surrounded by 2,200 people celebrating human potential

Whether you're there to support Team Antifragile, work the Heroic Arizona tent, or simply soak in the energy of this incredible gathering—your presence matters.

This Is Our Moment

How often do we get the chance to stand in front of 2,200 people who embody everything we believe in? People who are choosing adventure over apathy, challenge over comfort, and growth over stagnation?

This weekend, Heroic Arizona isn't just attending an event—we're showing up as a beacon for everyone who's ready to live more heroically.

Ready to join us?

Contact Scott McIntosh at Scott.McIntosh@heroicaz.us to volunteer

Let's make this weekend unforgettable. Let's show Arizona and beyond what a community of heroes looks like when we come together.

See you at the trail,

The Heroic Arizona Team

P.S. - Can't volunteer but want to cheer on Team Antifragile? Come by the tent village anytime throughout the weekend. Look for the Heroic Arizona tent—you can't miss us. We're the ones asking everyone about their superpowers.

Day 1. All in. Let's GO!

What happens when 45 passionate Heroes gather in person while another 15+ tune in virtually from Italy, the Netherlands, and across Arizona and the USA? Pure magic.

The October 24th Heroic Arizona event wasn't just a meeting—it was an experience. No PowerPoint slides. No formal presentations. Just Michael Balchan, on fire with energy and engagement, connecting with a community hungry to hear about the transformative changes coming to Heroic.

Stories That Move Us

Michael kicked things off by inviting audience members to share their personal Heroic journeys. The room came alive as individuals, families, nonprofit leaders, and executives from multibillion-dollar businesses testified to one powerful truth: Heroic is changing lives.

These weren't rehearsed testimonials—they were raw, authentic stories of transformation that reminded everyone why this work matters.

Win or Learn: Always Forward

With characteristic transparency, Michael acknowledged past challenges and shared how Heroic is evolving to create an even better first-time experience for newcomers. It's the Heroic way: win or learn, always moving forward.

Then came the exciting part—a preview of major initiatives that Founder and CEO Brian Johnson would soon detail in upcoming communications.

The Future of Heroic: What's Coming

Heroic has entered a bold new phase of growth and focus, with every touchpoint being redesigned to reflect excellence, simplicity, and soul. Here's what's on the horizon:

Philosopher's Notes Reimagined - Relaunching as a standalone experience, this beautiful modern library distills life-changing books into 20-minute wisdom shots you can apply TODAY. Brian's on a mission to share this wisdom with 1 million+ Heroes as he works toward 1,000+ Notes.

Rock Your Goddess Life (RYGL) - Led by Alexandra Johnson, this 12-week journey for women complements the Hero's Journey with essential feminine wisdom. Discover your Goddess Archetype, watch the Masterclass, and transform from the inside out.

Heroic Coach Expanded - With over 10,000 Heroes from 100+ countries already enrolled, the certification program is adding two powerful new pillars: Coaching Excellence and Coaching Prosperity—helping you master yourself, coach others, and make a living doing what you love.

Heroic Workshop Instructor Training Goes Virtual - Game-changer alert! More than 250 Heroes from nearly 20 countries have completed the in-person training. Now, for the first time ever, you can become a certified Heroic Workshop Instructor virtually at a fraction of the previous cost—just $1,000 (down from $5,000).

Arizona Rising: 10 Workshops Becoming 20

Here's where it gets really exciting for our Arizona community.

Several attendees shared powerful testimonials about the Workshop experience—describing how life-changing Heroic tools wrapped into a transformative 4-hour format created breakthrough moments in their lives.

Mark your calendars: January 10, 2026 - the first-ever Global Heroic Workshop Day, with hundreds of workshops in hundreds of cities worldwide. It will be the largest activation of Heroic energy in our history.

Heroic Arizona is proudly supporting this global initiative. We currently have 10 certified Workshop Instructors across the state—and during the October 24th event, we already secured commitments from two more members to get certified.

Our audacious goal? Add 10 more certified instructors by January 10th, bringing our total to 20. That means 20 workshops across Arizona on a single day—changing lives in service of our mission: 51% of humanity flourishing by 2051.

With virtual training now available and the investment reduced to $1,000, there's never been a better time to step into your calling as a Workshop Instructor.

Are you interested to attend a workshop to learn what it’s all about – check out this link for a workshop being held at MAC6 on Sunday, 9 November, 10 AM to 2:30PM.

The Energy is Palpable

This October evening captured everything that makes Heroic special: authentic connection, powerful storytelling, transparency about growth, and an unwavering commitment to helping humanity flourish.

Stay tuned for much more in the coming weeks. The momentum is building, the community is growing, and the impact is accelerating.

Day 1. Let's GO. All in.

— Scott McIntosh, Heroic Arizona Co-Founder

October 16, 2025 | 3 Pillars Performance Center, Tucson, AZ

Something extraordinary happened in Tucson on October 16th. More than an event launch. More than a networking evening. It was the ignition of a movement—one rooted in courage, clarity, and the radical belief that ordinary people can live heroic lives.

The inaugural Heroic Tucson Launch brought together business leaders, professionals, and purpose-driven individuals under one powerful theme: Rise Together | Elevating Tucson to Flourish in Life, Leadership & Legacy. And from the moment the first guest walked through the doors of 3 Pillars Performance Center, it was clear this wouldn't be just another community gathering. The energy was palpable. The connection was real. The transformation had begun.

A Movement Built on Timeless Principles

Heroic isn't new to making an impact. Founded on the philosophy that we can all activate our best selves through intentional practice, Heroic has inspired hundreds of thousands worldwide to close the gap between who they are and who they're capable of becoming. With a proven framework grounded in ancient wisdom and modern science, Heroic empowers individuals to optimize their energy, live with courage, and create meaningful legacies.

The Heroic community spans the globe—from online courses reaching seekers in every time zone to thriving local chapters where philosophy becomes practice, theory transforms into action, and strangers become allies in the pursuit of human excellence.

Now, that transformative energy has arrived in Tucson.

The Visionary Behind the Movement

Before we dive into the evening's magic, we must recognize the woman who made it all possible: Angela McIllece, HeroicAZ Tucson Chapter Leader.

Angela's energy and unwavering commitment to bringing Heroic to Tucson and Southern Arizona transformed a vision into reality. This wasn't just an event she organized—it was a dream she believed into existence. Her dedication to elevating her community, her ability to rally diverse voices around a shared mission, and her embodiment of Heroic principles created the foundation for everything that unfolded on October 16th.

Every meaningful connection made that evening, every inspired conversation, every moment of transformation—it all traces back to Angela's courage to say "yes" to this calling and her relentless work to bring it to life. She didn't just plan an event; she ignited a movement.

Thank you, Angela, for your soul force, your leadership, and your belief that Tucson deserves to rise together.

An Evening That Embodied Excellence

The Heroic Tucson Launch was a masterclass in meaningful event design. Every detail—from the intimate venue setup to the carefully curated program—reflected the Heroic ideals of clarity, energy, courage, and community.

Speakers Who Moved Hearts and Minds

Karla Bernal Morales and Oscar Lizardi delivered talks that weren't just heard—they were felt. Both speakers emphasized courage, integrity, and community engagement with an authenticity that left the audience visibly moved. These weren't polished corporate presentations. They were personal Heroic journeys shared vulnerably, powerfully, and with profound impact.

As one attendee reflected: "The speaker stories were everything."

A Workshop That Sparked Transformation

Noé Arroyo Williams facilitated a mini-workshop on Antifragility that brought Heroic philosophy to life. With energy and vulnerability, Noé guided participants through genuine reflection and connection—demonstrating how embracing challenge makes us stronger, not weaker. The session perfectly embodied Heroic's commitment to practical wisdom: not just inspiring people, but equipping them with tools to flourish.

Introductions That Elevated the Evening

Steve Weaver's captivating introductions set the tone beautifully, grounding each speaker in purpose and elevating the collective experience. His words reminded everyone in the room why they were there—not just to attend an event, but to be part of something larger than themselves.

Moments That Reminded Us What Matters

In a particularly touching moment, Scott McIntosh acknowledged a 57-year marriage—a living testament to the legacy and commitment Heroic celebrates. It was one of many micro-moments throughout the evening that reinforced the event's emotional heart: this work isn't abstract; it's about real people living real heroic lives.

The Anthem That United Us All

If there was a single moment that captured the essence of the evening, it was the Heroic Tucson Anthem video that served as the finale. Attendees were visibly moved. Some wiped away tears. Others sat in inspired silence.

"The video brought it all together," one participant shared. "It perfectly summed up the spirit of Heroic Tucson."

It was more than a video—it was a rallying cry. A reminder of why this movement matters. A call to rise together.

The Results Speak for Themselves

The post-event feedback wasn't just positive—it was overwhelming:

• Overall Satisfaction: 5/5 average rating
• 100% of attendees said they would attend another Heroic Tucson event
• Attendees expressed interest in monthly gatherings, leadership sessions, health programs, and Lunch & Learns
• Multiple individuals volunteered to lead future workshops and help expand Heroic's reach

The comments poured in:

"Great job with the launch! So glad I came!"

"Thank you for all the work and creativity in pulling this together!"

"The overall flow and energy of the evening was incredible."

What Makes Heroic Different

In a world saturated with self-help programs and leadership seminars, Heroic stands apart. Here's why:

Philosophy Meets Practice. Heroic doesn't just preach principles—it provides a proven framework for living them. Every concept is actionable, every teaching is testable, and every practice is designed to close the gap between knowledge and embodiment.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Science. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, positive psychology, and peak performance research, Heroic synthesizes timeless truths with cutting-edge insights. The result? A comprehensive system for human optimization that actually works.

Community That Cares. This isn't about individual achievement at the expense of connection. Heroic builds communities of allies—people committed to showing up for themselves and each other. The Tucson launch proved this beautifully, with authentic conversations and connections at every table.

Measurable Impact. Heroic isn't interested in feel-good platitudes. The framework is built on measurable practices that compound over time: daily energy optimization, courage-building micro-actions, and legacy-defining decisions. Small steps. Big transformation.

Global Movement, Local Heart. While Heroic's reach is worldwide, its impact is deeply personal and locally rooted. The Tucson chapter joins a growing network of sub-chapters across Arizona and beyond—each bringing Heroic principles to life in their unique communities.

Looking Forward: A Vision Taking Shape

The Heroic Tucson Launch was just the beginning. Under Angela McIllece's continued leadership, the chapter is building toward something extraordinary. As the team looks ahead to the November 13th gathering and beyond, the vision is crystal clear:

• Deepen authentic connection through shared stories and micro-moments of courage
• Build measurable community impact through projects that serve Tucson
• Create a model sub-chapter known for Antifragile Confidence, Reliability, and Soul Force in Action
• Partner with aligned organizations to amplify impact
• Engage youth through meaningful initiatives
• Establish leadership programs that develop Tucson's next generation of heroic leaders

Join the Movement

The question isn't whether Tucson needs this movement. October 16th proved it already does—and the community is ready.

The real question is: Will you answer the call?

Whether you're a business leader seeking to elevate your impact, a professional hungry for deeper meaning, or simply someone who knows there's more to life than going through the motions—Heroic Tucson has a place for you.

What happens when you put 2,000 people in the Arizona wilderness for 48 hours, ask them to run 120 miles as a team, and invite them to live in tents with bonfires and beer?

You get Ragnar Trail Relay McDowell Mountain—and this Halloween weekend, Heroic Arizona is diving in headfirst.

The Challenge

Our eight-person team, Team Antifragile, will be out there from Friday afternoon through Sunday, taking turns running three different trail courses through day and night. Eight people. 120 miles total. One unforgettable test of what we're made of.

If you've never experienced a Ragnar event, picture this: a temporary village complete with food trucks, campfires crackling under the stars, exhausted runners cheering each other on at 3 AM, and a community of people who've chosen to do something hard together.

It's messy. It's uncomfortable. It's exactly the kind of challenge that reveals who we are and who we're becoming.

The Opportunity (And the Question)

Here's where it gets interesting.

Ragnar invited us to partner with them by co-sponsoring the event's beer garden—a race tradition where runners celebrate their achievements and refuel between shifts. It's a fundraising opportunity that would put us in front of over 2,000 like-minded people who are literally living out the values we teach: pushing themselves, supporting their teammates, and choosing growth over comfort.

But there's an obvious tension here. At Heroic, we're all about optimal health. We don't promote alcohol—not because we judge anyone who drinks, but because it simply doesn't align with peak performance and wellbeing.

So what do we do with an opportunity that's perfectly aligned with our values in every way except one?

The Solution: Partnership Over Purity

We said yes. But we did it thoughtfully.

We've partnered with Rodney Smith and Grow Space Kitchen, a local startup focused on providing nutritious school lunches to kids who need them. All proceeds from the beer garden will support their school lunch program.

We're also partnering with The Shop Beer Co, a Tempe craft brewer who's created custom cans celebrating this collaboration—souvenir items for participants that mark this weekend's achievement.

Here's the setup: Two side-by-side tents at the race village.

Tent One (Grow Space Kitchen /  Beer Garden): Craft beer and non-alcoholic beverages, fundraising for children's nutrition.

Tent Two (Heroic Arizona): Our home base for connecting with runners, sharing our mission, and inviting people into the work we're doing.

Are we going to keep these completely separate? Of course not. We're going to celebrate every single person at that event—because that's who we are.

Why This Matters

Here's what we believe: Connection over separation. Showing up over staying pure. Meeting people where they are while inviting them toward something more.

These 2,000 runners? They're our people. They've chosen to do hard things. They're supporting each other through the night. They're proving what's possible when you commit fully to a goal.

Yes, some of them will celebrate with a beer. And yes, we'll be right there—supporting a cause we believe in while sharing a vision of what optimal living looks like.

How You Can Be Part of This

We need volunteers for both tents—and here's what's in it for you:

You'll get a special Team Antifragile shirt (check out the design below—it's fantastic).

You'll be part of an incredible community gathering with over 2,000 people who are choosing challenge over comfort.

You'll help support a school lunch program that's getting nutritious food to kids who need it.

You'll represent Heroic Arizona to a whole new audience of people who might be ready for what we offer.

Volunteer Shifts Needed:

• Friday, October 31st: 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Saturday, November 1st: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
• Sunday, November 2nd: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Whether you want to work the beer garden (supporting Grow Space Garden's cause), staff the Heroic Arizona tent (sharing our mission), or just show up to cheer on Team Antifragile—we'd love to have you.

The Bottom Line

This weekend isn't about alcohol. It's not even really about running.

It's about a community of people who understand that growth happens outside our comfort zones. It's about showing up, supporting each other, and proving what's possible when we commit.

And it's about Heroic Arizona being willing to step into new spaces, meet new people, and trust that our values are strong enough to stand on their own—even next to a beer tent.

Want to volunteer? Reply to this post or contact us at [contact information]. Let us know which shifts work for you and which tent you'd prefer.

Want to follow along? Watch for updates on [social media channels] throughout the weekend. We'll be sharing the highs, the lows, and everything in between as Team Antifragile takes on 120 miles together.

Let's see what we're made of.

In energy, work, and love,
The Heroic Arizona Team