S2E11: Keith McGuinnes - When ‘Healthy’ Is Just Another Mask

The diagnosis that changed everything: Keith McGuinnes on cancer, masculinity, and the power of receivingWhat happens when a fit, healthy yoga teacher steeped in Eastern practices, meditation and spiritual growth is suddenly diagnosed with cancer?In this episode, I sit down with Keith McGuinnes, founder of Awaken Intimacy and co-founder of The Open Institute, to explore how a life-threatening illness forced him to stop pushing, start receiving, and finally open to the deeper lessons of intimacy, vulnerability and connection.We talk about:The shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis at 40Why he chose chemotherapy (even as a holistic health practitioner)How the experience broke his lone wolf mentalityThe power of receiving loveWhat men are missing when they stay stuck in hyper-masculinityHis work today helping men and couples reclaim intimacy, polarity and presenceThis is a raw, real and powerful conversation about grief, grace, and growing up.Show NotesKeith’s Cancer DiagnosisWhat happened at age 40 and the symptoms he ignoredWhy chemo was the right choice (even as a long-time yogi)How the experience forced him to slow down, reflect, and receiveThe Emotional JourneyGrieving the years he couldn’t receive loveLearning to express emotion and let people inHow it shifted his relationship to his own body and energyMasculinity, Polarity and IntimacyThe trap of hyper-masculine giving and the strength in receivingLetting go of lone wolf energy in favour of connectionWhy true intimacy requires openness — not just strengthPost-Cancer PurposeMoving from survival to serviceKeith’s work through Awaken Intimacy and The Open InstituteBuilding community, relational depth, and sacred spaces in modern life

There are no comments yet.

Please log in to write the first comment.