Darkness Retreat: 121 Hours in the Dark with Matthew Stafford

In this episode of Firing the Man podcast, host David Schomer has a deeply personal and transformative conversation with Matt Stafford, Managing partner of Build Grow Scale. In this unique and introspective episode, Matt shares his powerful journey of self-discovery, healing, and personal growth, going beyond business strategies to tackle the profound internal work often necessary for entrepreneurial success and fulfillment. Matt openly discusses overcoming childhood trauma, embracing alternative healing modalities, and how cultivating emotional intelligence and self-awareness can significantly impact not only personal well-being but also professional effectiveness.

Key Takeaways:

Understanding Trauma and Entrepreneurship:
Matt explores the surprisingly common relationship between entrepreneurial ambition and unresolved trauma, highlighting the importance of addressing the underlying emotional experiences that shape our professional and personal lives.

The Power of Emotional Intelligence:
Through his personal experiences, Matt demonstrates how developing emotional intelligence and self-awareness can fundamentally change one’s perspective, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Alternative Modalities for Deep Healing:
Matt candidly shares his experiences with alternative healing methods including MDMA-assisted therapy, plant medicine journeys, and immersive darkness retreats, emphasizing their transformative potential when undertaken responsibly.

Overcoming Internal Barriers to Success:
Matt stresses the significance of recognizing and addressing subconscious narratives and fears that often sabotage entrepreneurial growth, advocating a proactive approach to deep internal work as a foundation for sustained success.

The Transformational Impact of a Darkness Retreat: In detailed recounting of his recent five-day darkness retreat, Matt provides an intimate look at the profound clarity and psychological breakthroughs possible through this unique method of introspection, free from distractions.

Notable Quotes:
Business is the ultimate self-improvement game, it constantly exposes where you’re not yet showing up fully.
When you remove distractions and truly face yourself, transformation is not just possible, it’s inevitable.
Real healing doesn’t require reliving trauma in detail; it’s about releasing the emotional charge your body has held onto.
Self-awareness isn’t just beneficial in life; it’s a competitive advantage in business.