"The men's weekend is black and white. I'm always on time. I'm a man of my word. If I say I'm going to do something, I do it. But the men's weekend actually helped me become a better man, a better human being." — Paul Sobel
Every man in the Sovereign Man world checks in by naming his sponsor — the man who brought him to this work. For Nicky, that name is Paul Sobel. This episode is long overdue.
Paul came to the Sterling Men's Weekend in 1998 because a relationship had stripped him of his self-respect. He showed up to the fire night in a suit, stood up after ten minutes, and made a decision that gave him his life back. He went on to lead the Toronto men's division, sponsor dozens of men into the work, and eventually bring in Nicky Billou. Nicky brought in Morris. Morris brought in Wong. Wong built a life and a business he couldn't have imagined. One honest conversation — that's how this work travels.
In this episode, Paul and Nicky trace that chain together. They talk about what the Sterling weekend actually does that most personal development doesn't, why Nicky himself didn't fully get it for two years after his weekend, the difference between working on how you think versus working on who you are as a man, and why being a man of your word is the foundation everything else is built on. Paul is 72, a black belt in mixed martial arts, a former Shopping Channel record-holder, and a nine-year insurance sales leader and coach. Still moving forward.
This one is personal. And if you've ever wondered where the Sovereign Man movement came from — this is the origin story.
Learn more & connect
The Sovereign Man Movement: https://www.sovereignman.ca
Sovereign Circle: https://www.sovereignman.ca/sovereign-circle
Resources mentioned:
The Sovereign Man Movement: https://www.sovereignman.ca
Sovereign Circle: https://www.sovereignman.ca/sovereign-circle
Battle Ready Program: https://www.sovereignman.ca/store/p/battle-ready-program
Justin Sterling Men's Weekend (Sterling Institute of Relationship)
Landmark Worldwide (formerly Landmark Education): https://www.landmarkworldwide.com
You're invited to come to a Sovereign Circle meeting to experience it for yourself. To learn more, go to https://www.sovereignman.ca/. While you're there, check out the Battle Ready program and check out the store for Sovereign Man t-shirts, hats, and books.