Keep Going Bro

A grounded reminder for men rebuilding their mental health, one decision at a time

We all grow up inside someone else’s expectations.

Where we grew up—and who we grew up with—often shaped ideas about who we were “supposed” to become. Maybe you were told you should be a lawyer, a doctor, or something that looked respectable from the outside. Maybe you were told—directly or indirectly—that you wouldn’t amount to much because school was hard, memorization didn’t come naturally, or your interests didn’t fit the mould.

Some men were judged for their skin tone, their neighbourhood, their accent, or their country of origin. Others were judged inside their own homes—by silence, criticism, or disappointment that was never clearly explained.

Over time, those opinions can quietly turn into beliefs.
And beliefs, if left unchallenged, can feel like facts.

But here’s the truth many of us discover later in life:

Someone else’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.

What “Making It” Really Means

As I’ve moved through adulthood—and worked through my own depression, anxiety, and stress—I’ve noticed something important.

Many people who were told they’d “never make it”… did.

Not always in the flashy ways society celebrates.

“Making it” doesn’t only mean becoming a millionaire, CEO, or inventor.

It can mean:

• A man who lost his legs and learned to walk again using prosthetics
• Someone with severe PTSD who slowly learned to step back into the world
• A person who lived as an addict for years, got sober, and now helps others do the same

These stories don’t always make headlines—but they are victories nonetheless.

The Turning Point: Refusing to Stay a Victim

What I consistently see in people who move forward isn’t luck or privilege—it’s a decision.

At some point, they stop seeing themselves only as victims of their circumstances.

That doesn’t mean denying pain.
It means refusing to let pain make all the decisions.

They focus on what they want, not just what hurt them.
They create systems—sometimes intentionally, sometimes imperfectly—to move toward that life.
They develop discipline, not because they feel motivated, but because they decide to keep going anyway.

They stumble. They fail. They doubt themselves.

And they still move forward.

The Quiet Strength Around Us

The belief of “I am going to make it”—however quietly spoken—is often stronger than years of criticism.

We see these people everywhere, often hidden in plain sight:

• The dad who is emotionally present and available for his family
• The woman who simply wants to build cars and live honestly
• The man who chooses sobriety, stability, and responsibility after chaos
• People living in their truth instead of shrinking to fit expectations

Not everyone is free to live openly—but many are slowly reclaiming their sovereignty anyway.

A Question Worth Asking

So who are YOU, really?

Not according to your upbringing.
Not according to your community.
Not according to your past mistakes.

But according to YOUR SOUL.

Do you want to be:

• An entrepreneur who solves real problems for people?
• A better husband, father, or partner?
• Sober, grounded, and steadily employed?

All of those count. None are small goals.

And this matters too:

This message applies even if the harshest opinions came from yourself.

You Don’t Need a “New Year” to Begin

You don’t need January 1st to start over.
You don’t need permission.
You don’t need to have it all figured out.

Start now.

May 2026—or any future version of your life—be shaped by what you choose today.

Celebrate the small wins.
Expect setbacks.
Keep going anyway.

You’re allowed to outgrow old narratives.
You’re allowed to become someone new.

And you’re not weak for trying.