3 days ago
Showing Up: The Art of Authentic Presence
What does it truly mean to "show up" in your life? Not just making an appearance or going through the motions, but bringing your complete, authentic self to each moment?
Bestselling author and TEDx speaker Marcy Axelrod joins Mind Over Masculinity to unpack this question, drawing on her two decades of research in neuroscience and evolutionary biology. She reveals the profound difference between what she calls our "small s self" (disconnected, anxious, on autopilot) and our "big S Self" (calm, present, authentic).
The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Marcy shares research showing how our presence creates ripples throughout our social networks: the 20 people closest to you are 45% more likely to mirror your behaviors, attitudes, and even physical postures. This influence extends to people three degrees removed from you—meaning your presence matters far more than you realize.
For men especially, showing up often gets confused with powering through difficulties or maintaining a stoic facade. Marcy challenges this notion, explaining how vulnerability actually enhances rather than diminishes our presence. "Fear and care cannot coexist in the same moment in your body," she explains. When we learn to switch from fear-based responses to care-centered presence, everything changes.
The episode concludes with a simple but powerful daily practice anyone can implement: deliberately seeing others with an open heart. This seemingly small act trains our capacity for genuine connection and presence—moving us from merely clocking in to truly showing up in our lives.
Whether you're feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply going through the motions, this conversation offers a roadmap back to yourself. Connect with Marcy at choosetoshowup.com and share your own "show up" stories.
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