WILD MEN Community

01/19/2026

MOTIVATION MONDAY:
(And a proud dad moment)

My 13 year old son, Miles, has no school today for MLK day. I told him in passing last night that I need to hit the 6:15am CrossFit class on Monday because my work day is booked and my evening is also booked.

We went to bed, and I woke up about 5:15am for a little coffee, getting ready, brushing snow off the truck… and I then I heard an alarm go off at 5:30am. It was from Miles’ room and I heard him turn it off. I said quietly, “Why the early alarm, bud?” He said, “So I can go to 6:15 CrossFit with you.”

It made my morning. I didn’t ask him or push him to go. He did that on his own. Sluggish and tired, yes. But, he got up and got it done! 🏋️

It was a good workout and - when we returned home - we hit a quick post-workout hot tub session before making some healthy omelettes and starting the day. The 12-degree F temp and tons of snow overnight made quite a hot/cold experience ❄️🔥

What a great way to kick off the week! And super proud of Miles. Men… what you do and the example you set matters. They are watching you.

I hope your week is starting well. Do something hard. Challenge yourself. You woke up. You’re alive. Get after it!

12/07/2025

West Michigan Men - our WILD MEN Community is kicking off PATHFINDER on 12/11. This is a 6-month program that meets monthly as part of our men’s community gatherings. Learn more and register today at www.rootedinthewild.org/events/pathfinder.

Direct message with questions and to learn more.

12/02/2025

Men - What is something you truly want to achieve? What have you been longing to build? What’s holding you back? Have you ever paused to really ask yourself, “What do I want?” Only 3 in 10 American adults make new year resolutions, and only 9% of them actually succeed… it’s time to change that.

PATHFINDER is a running start into the new year backed by a heart-centered process bringing together professional goal-setting practices while exploring elements like intrinsic motivation, mature masculine archetypes, setting benchmarks, and partner accountability. As part of the WILD MEN Community, this program helps men to rediscover mission, to build the muscles of setting goals and taking action, and to embrace accountability from an empowering group of men.

Men begin the process by connecting with an “EVEREST” - a challenging, yet attainable endeavor - and work together as a group to climb “EVEREST” together - often leading to breakthroughs in growth on the way. We’ve had men write and perform music albums, change their career, walk away from alcohol, follow a dream to move out West, start new business ventures, tackle fitness goals and even compete in competitions. We help each other to realize what’s possible.

We begin PATHFINDER at our December gathering on Thursday, 12/11/25 and continue for 6 months until Thursday, 5/14/26. We meet in-person at our monthly WILD MEN Community gatherings the second Thursday of each month in Rockford, MI throughout the program. Join us! Space is limited - learn more and register below!

www.rootedinthewild.org/events/pathfinder

Send a direct message with any questions. If cost is a concern, but you want to participate, let’s talk!

12/02/2025

Men - What is something you truly want to achieve? What have you been longing to build? What's holding you back? Have you ever paused to really ask yourself, "What do I want?"

PATHFINDER is a running start into the new year backed by a heart-centered process bringing together professional goal-setting practices while exploring elements like intrinsic motivation, mature masculine archetypes, setting benchmarks, and partner accountability. As part of the WILD MEN Community, this program helps men to rediscover mission, to build the muscles of setting goals and taking action, and to embrace accountability from an empowering group of men.

Men begin the process by connecting with an “EVEREST” - a challenging, yet attainable endeavor - and work together as a group to climb "EVEREST” together - often leading to breakthroughs in growth on the way.

We begin PATHFINDER at our December gathering on Thursday, 12/11/25 and continue for 6 months until Thursday, 5/14/26. We meet in-person at our monthly WILD MEN Community gatherings the second Thursday of each month in Rockford, MI throughout the program. Join us! Space is limited - learn more and register below!

Send a direct message with any questions. If cost is a concern, but you want to participate, let me talk!

PATHFINDER is a program that has become part of the fabric of the WILD MEN Community. This program is designed to help men rediscover mission - to help build the muscles of goal-setting and "doing" - to help men embrace accountability and reach their potential. What do you want to achieve

11/25/2025

THE WAY OF THE HEART ❤️

The word “courage” is very interesting. It comes from a Latin root “cor” which means “heart”. So, to be courageous means to live with the heart. And weaklings, only weaklings, live with the head; afraid, they create a security of logic around themselves. Fearful, they close every window and door - with theology, concepts, words, theories - and inside those closed doors and windows, they hide.

The way of the heart is the way of courage. It is to live in insecurity; it is to live in love and trust; it is to move in the unknown. It is leaving the past and allowing the future to be. Courage is to move on dangerous paths. Life is dangerous, and only cowards can avoid the danger - but then, they are already dead.

A person who is alive, really alive, vitally alive, will always move into the unknown. There is danger there, but he will take the risk. The heart is always ready to take the risk, the heart is a gambler. The head is a businessman.

From Courage: The Joy of Living Dangerously
By Osho

11/24/2025

There is a type of masculinity that is all spine and no heart. He is focused on his own needs, and he meets these needs by being selfish and manipulative - always seeking approval through his possessions and his appearance.

Another type of masculinity - often an over correction - is to be all heart and no spine. This man avoids conflict - he is a nice guy focused on pleasing others which leads to a lack of his own mission; avoiding his own desires.

There is yet another type of masculinity; a third way of being when a man walks with spine AND heart. This man keeps the needle in the middle, avoiding the pendulation between the “all spine” jerk and the “all heart” pushover. This man transcends the need for validation. He has mission and direction. He is grounded, embodying unwavering integrity and stability. He is kind rather than nice - holding firm boundaries while also serving the world with truth and love.

Men, as you move through the world, take moments to ground, to breathe, and to bring awareness to the needle… are you leaning all spine, all heart, or can you bring the needle to center as a conscious, open-hearted man exuding both spine AND heart? It’s a difficult balance to maintain, but this is the work.

11/07/2025

Men. I am excited to introduce the ROOTED IN THE WILD Podcast! WILD MEN is an offering through Rooted In The Wild - a wellness and lifestyle practice founded by myself and my partner Dr. Mel, a board certified naturopathic doctor and registered nurse.

This podcast brings the complementary perspectives of the masculine and the feminine. It pulls from our experience in natural medicine and psychospirtual transformation. It combines our education and expertise ranging from the medical field to the corporate office - and from soul-centric wilderness immersion to being parents in today’s world. It brings together the primal and the practical.

Our health and wholeness is connected to all aspects of our lives. From naturopathic medicine to empowering community, and from s*x and relationships to mental and spiritual wellness… and of course, men’s work - we have to talk about it all…

… and we creates a podcast to do just that!
Introducing the Rooted In The Wild Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Mel and Jase DeBoer - the Rooted In The Wild Podcast explores all aspects of comprehensive wellness, meaningful relationships, and reaching our highest potential.

Visit www.rootedinthewild.org/podcast to learn more and find quick links to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and PodBean.

Follow the show on your preferred podcast platform, follow along on social for episode updates, and send us topics you would like us to discuss at rootedinthewild@outlook.com

11/05/2025

Amen. Provide. Protect. Procreate.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom, 🔥

10/27/2025

Crisp morning air. Amazing Autumn colors. Beautiful conversation with great company. Sunday morning walking with these men - these brothers - as the sun burst through the trees was the best way to start the morning. It’s life-giving to set aside the screens and the sports scores and be fully present with friends and the outdoors☀️🍁☕️

In addition to regular monthly gatherings - our WILD MEN Community meets for outings like weekend mornings hikes followed by breakfast at the local diner. We do our work, and we balance with the joy of each other’s company.

Join a monthly gathering. Join the movement.
wildmencommunity.com

10/25/2025

I look forward to Fridays because that’s typically the day I offer 1-on-1 men’s guidance and coaching at our Rooted In The Wild office in Eastown Grand Rapids.

I’m reflecting on this past Friday and the honor of holding individual sessions with men in this beautiful, comfortable space. I love individual companion guidance as that is where my own journey began.

My journey to finding authenticity, mission and healthy masculinity started with a simple appointment. Little did I know - that one appointment would change my life. Like most men, I was great at thinking and reasoning my way through things - but I began to learn how to feel through things… to integrate and align my mind with my heart and body for deeper processing, healing, and rediscovering the fire within to thrive rather than just survive. ❤️‍🔥

When I experienced the benefits in my own life, I felt called to continue learning - for myself, but also to help other men, as well as young men coming of age in these times. Now, I blend my experience in psychospirtual transformation, men’s work, soul-centric wilderness immersion, and rites of passage with my degrees in marketing and strategic management - as well as my 20+ years as a corporate business professional. We find wholeness bringing together the primal and practical.

ROOTED IN THE WILD is a practice based on comprehensive wellness, meaningful relationships and reaching our highest potential - founded by my wife, Dr. Mel DeBoer, ND RN and myself. WILD MEN has grown to become an elements of our practice that offers individual men’s guidance as well as empowering men’s community.

If you are man in the Grand Rapids/West Michigan area, visit www.rootedinthewild.org/wildmen to book individual coaching sessions and/or join our monthly WILD MEN Community gatherings. Virtual sessions also available. You can also send me a message with questions or to find out more date/time that works best for you.

Your journey could start with a simple appointment - and I would be honored to work with you.

10/20/2025

WHAT’S YOUR ‘EVEREST’ ?

Leo has been part of the WILD MEN Community since day one - nearly 3 years ago. When going through our PATHFINDER program as a group, the process helps each man identify an endeavor they would like to accomplish - an “Everest” - and we hold one another accountable on the journey. Like climbing Everest - you need to prepare in advance for success, you don’t climb it in a day - rather, in realistic stage gates… and you don’t climb alone 🏔️

With several men in our group being part of the local CrossFit gym (Rogue River CrossFit 💪🏼), Leo shared a goal related to exercise, community and joining us at CrossFit. He noted self care, strength and community… and we were behind him 💯%

Leo has more than followed through! He joined the gym and has been putting in the work for more than 18 months. In 2024, I partnered with Eric - another man from our group - for our annual Rumble at the Rogue competition, and we were pumped to win 3rd place. As the 2025 competition approached, I felt called to ask Leo to be my partner - another WILD MEN duo! We put in the work together… we practiced… and after a challenging day of competition, we took 3rd place! Our goal was the podium, and we made it happen! What a full circle moment from PATHFINDER goal to podium🏋🏻

Eric was also on the same podium with his Rumble partner, taking 2nd place! What a moment to have half of the podium be in our WILD MEN Community… and what an honor to be part of Leo’s journey from starting CrossFit 18 months ago to going to battle together and coming away with medals.🏅

This is what WILD MEN is all about. To experience growth through discomfort. To find strength of body AND mind. To build with men who challenge you; who celebrate victory and demand accountability. The men you surround yourself with will be who you become - so take inventory. I am so glad to surround myself with men like Leo, Eric, and the many men who make me better in this community 🔥

Learn more about our community - our movement - at www.rootedinthewild.org/wildmen

10/20/2025

Men. In whatever you do this day, this week ahead - find something that anchors you - that brings you back to integrity and impeccability of your word.

Perhaps it’s channeling your inner King archetype and asking yourself “What am I in service to?” or “What would the King do?”

Perhaps it’s just reciting a word that brings you back into awareness - perhaps a word or concept like the one shared above.

Perhaps it’s simply moments of stillness, grounding and your breath.

Be impeccable with your word - both using your word to build yourself, and to build others. Practice strength of mind and body. Find growth by embracing discomfort. Be in integrity, even when nobody is watching. Be the mountain - be nurturing and generative to yourself, your family and community.