Activate the Art of Discomfort
Cultivate a sense of strength, confidence & capability by injecting intentional moments of discomfort for your higher purpose.
In a world where progress attempts to create more ease, we paradoxically find ourselves experiencing more disease. We have created an environment of:
Conflict avoidance
Physical, emotional, spiritual neglect,
Dreams unrealized
We seem to lean into building lives that optically appear good. Yet, so many still experience stuckness, apathy, and a lack of purpose and meaning in their lives.
So whats missing?
I, and others before you and me, have come to find that the things that we’ve side-stepped are actually the things we want to get curious about. In reality, they are trying to direct us deeper into Self to unveil something important about our path.
This is not a practice of seeking out pain and suffering without a cause.
But to earnestly step in the direction of your intuitive Self is about noticing — noticing the patterns of when you choose ease over growth.
Why this matters…
The people who are the most alive aren't the ones who've eliminated discomfort from their lives. They're the ones who've learned to be curious about it.
They treat discomfort like information instead of a problem to solve. What’s also common is that they don’t go at it alone.
I’m Matthew McCartney
I’m a father of 2 and a former police detective turned men's group facilitator and entrepreneur.
I spent years living misaligned with my true self, knowing my authentic path was just out of reach. Through decades of trial and error, I learned to use discomfort as an ally in my evolution and began honestly refining my sense of Self.
My passion shifted from policing to providing emotional, physical and spiritual support. I reclaimed my relationship with nature and discovered how vital supportive community is for wellbeing. My unconventional approach to cultivating insights resonates with others actively seeking their path.
1000+ Miles of Purposeful Discomfort
Starting April 2026, I'll sail across the Atlantic and walk 1,000+ miles from Ireland to the Vatican — the most challenging thing I can imagine, within reason, documented every step of the way.
The journey includes:
22 days at sea
1,000+ mile walk
Real-time documentation of my journey
While I’m going on this pilgrimage for my own healing and growth, I hope that it may also serve as a moment of pause and consideration for anyone else who’s looking to break free from patterns of stagnation and inertia.
Follow my Journey
Follow me in my preparation of this pilgrimage, the journey itself and the documentary production.
You’ll also get Discomfort Protocol Insights and how I would apply the principles I’m exploring in your daily life.
If you believe that intentional discomfort can be a wise guide to a more alive way of living, follow my Substack.