The Hidden Power of Transforming Grief into Growth

When Stephen Seidel moved to Lexington, Kentucky, everything changed. A new city. A new home. A newborn baby. And then, devastating news that his mother was sick. It was the kind of moment that could break a man. For Stephen, it nearly did.

He found himself drowning in a perfect storm: the isolation of a global pandemic, the heartbreak of a dying mother, and the weight of a growing men’s mental health crisis. Like so many men, he was raised to tough it out. To hold it in. To stay strong. 38% of men avoid showing emotion because of pressure to appear “manly” or “masculine,” and many say they never cry in front of others at all, according to the men’s health charity Movember. Stephen was one of them.

But something unexpected happened. Instead of sinking deeper into isolation, Stephen reached out. He started holding virtual meetings with other entrepreneurial “growth” friends who struggled with some of the same issues around lack of connection. Over the next four years and more than 150 meetings, those conversations became a lifeline. They became a brotherhood. And ultimately, they became the foundation for GentsJourney.

Out of this deeply personal experience came The Journey Deck, a tool designed to help other men build confidence and embrace their vulnerability. It’s more than just a deck of cards. It’s an invitation to become the hero in your own story.

Turning Pain into Purpose

Grief isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of something new. A gateway to deeper meaning.

For Stephen, grief cracked him open, as serendipity landed on his doorstep, such as the fries at the bottom of the bag he once shared with his Mom, a cardinal that kept appearing at just the right moments, and his daughter’s newfound love for saying, “Love Never Ends.”. These weren’t just coincidences, they were reminders to him to let guide him, not divide him.

This shift in perspective of viewing life’s events for him instead of to him became the foundation for GentsJourney. It’s how The Journey Deck came to life: as a way to help men transform their own stories of struggle into stories of strength.

Seidel recently shared his story of turning grief into growth on the TEDx stage at the University of Kentucky:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg2EAoX8LR8&list=PL4Uy0Ts82enp9NJ9hBHWNvB-bb2dcD4kE&index=1&t=3s&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

The Power of Reconnection

At GentsJourney, we believe grief can help you gain clarity in three areas in your life:

1. Connection – Healing begins when you are vulnerable and open up to others.
   

2. Community – Sharing with others helps you rediscover what truly matters.
   

3. Claiming Your Purpose – Turning your pain into purpose occurs when you realize your story is bigger than you, and it can help others in a similar situation.
   
   

Ask yourself: How can I extend beyond my inner circle? How can I use my experience to amplify impact?

From Shared Story to Shared Strength

Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe you’ve faced heartbreak, disappointment, failure, or just the quiet ache of not being seen. Whatever your pain, you’re not alone.

GentsJourney reminds us that the most painful parts of our lives can also be the most powerful. But only if we let them.

What if that thing that hurt you the most was a hidden gift?

What if the moment that broke you was the moment that opened the door?

What if grief wasn’t the end of your story, but the beginning of a new chapter?

Rebuild. Reconnect. Reclaim.

We invite you to step into your story. To let go of the old narratives that no longer serve you. To escape the cycle of silence. And to reclaim your purpose by honoring the unexpected gifts life gives you, especially the difficult ones.

Because it’s not about what happens. It’s about what you do with it.

The Journey Deck is here to help you do just that. A simple tool. A powerful impact. A reminder that even in your darkest hour, you are never alone.

You just have to take the first step.

Are you ready to begin your journey?