Tony Matesi, Author at Legend of the Death Race

Real Men Cry, Hold the Line, and Go to Therapy

Somewhere along the way, masculinity got hijacked.

It was whittled down to something hollow. Loud. Fragile. A checklist of traits that have more to do with fear than strength.
Grow a beard. Listen to a Joe Rogan podcast. Lift heavy things. Never cry. Dominate the room. Talk over people. Never, ever admit weakness.

The Smart Way Isn’t Soft: A Perspective on Purpose-Driven Endurance

The Smart Way Isn’t Soft: A Response to “The Smart Way Is STILL the Hard Way” When I wrote “When

The Call of the Trails: The Heart Behind SISU 24 PNW

Every spring, as the rain gives way to longer days and the mountain trails come back to life, we hear

Be Like Naruto: How One Ninja’s Story Could Help Us Heal Our World

In a time when division runs deep and empathy feels in short supply, the unlikeliest of role models comes not

Unlearning the Scoreboard: A Second Shot at Real Development

Inspired by Jon Townsend’s “Development is Not Winning” “This mindset fosters a culture of blame and insecurity. Players conditioned to

A solitary figure in a hooded jacket walks down a muddy road beneath a stormy sky lit by a bolt of lightning. The scene is dark and dramatic, symbolizing endurance and resilience through chaos.

Strength Isn’t Shouting Into the Storm: Why Resilience Doesn’t Need a Spotlight

Recently, Joe De Sena shared a post celebrating the chaos of our current moment—economic downturns, political instability, and societal strain—as

Anime-style illustration of a muddy, exhausted man sitting beneath barbed wire in a forest, while a shadowy demon with glowing purple eyes looms behind him, symbolizing inner struggle and trauma.

Why I Race With My Demons: Masochism, Military Envy, and the Stoic Path to Healing

Trigger Warning: This post contains discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and mental health. Please take care while reading. If you’re

Modern Stoicism in a Chaotic World: How Endurance Racing Primes You for a Stoic Life

When the world feels like it’s spinning out of control, most people look for comfort. Me? I lace up my

Dancing with Death (and the Dow): Enduring Through the Crash

The stock market is crashing. Again. Tariffs. Politics. Panic. The kind of headlines that make your stomach drop before breakfast.

When “The Hard Way” Isn’t the Smart Way

We all love a good struggle story. You pushed through the pain. You crawled through the mud. You clawed your