EIRIK SKARHOLT
“I started to question everything”
Part 1/4: crisis, men’s circles and rebuilding life
Listen / Watch Part 1:
Spotify – Listen to Part 1
Youtube– Watch Part 1
This page includes episode links and my personal reflections after listening back to the conversation.
About the Guest
Eirik Skarholt is involved in men’s work, retreats and spaces where men can meet, reflect and support each other. His story touches personal crisis, recovery, responsibility, family relationships and the process of rebuilding life after losing balance.
He is also a Performance Facilitator and Chiropractor (DC, ICSSD, MNKF).
Social media:
Eirik Skarholt
Episode Themes
Questioning life after crisis
Men’s circles and honest conversation
Losing power and finding direction again
The role of support after difficult experiences
Reconnecting with family, purpose and self-respect
My Reflection
This conversation with Eirik touched on what can happen when life forces us to stop and question everything.
Sometimes a crisis does not only create pain. It also reveals what has been ignored for too long. When we lose balance, energy or direction, we may begin to see parts of ourselves that we avoided before. That process can be uncomfortable, but it can also become the beginning of real change.
What stood out to me in Eirik’s story was his willingness to speak openly about difficult periods. He described moments where life, work and personal challenges affected his sense of power. Instead of pretending that everything was fine, he began to question what was happening and what needed to change.
We also spoke about men’s circles and the importance of having spaces where men can speak honestly. Many men carry stress, shame, confusion or emotional pressure alone. When there is no space to speak, these things often stay inside and become heavier. A group can offer something simple but powerful: recognition, support and the feeling that we are not alone.
Another important theme was rebuilding. After difficult experiences, it is not always about going back to the old version of ourselves. Sometimes the task is to build something more honest. A better relationship with ourselves. A better relationship with others. A clearer understanding of what matters.
For me, this episode is about the courage to stop, question and rebuild. When life becomes difficult, we can either escape from ourselves or begin to listen more deeply. Eirik’s story is a reminder that support, honesty and self-reflection can help us find a new direction.
Part 2/4
“They stopped talking about it in the news in Norway...”
Listen / Watch Part 2:
Spotify – Listen to Part 2
Youtube– Watch Part 2
Episode Themes
Preventing crisis before it becomes collapse
Spirituality as a way to see difficulty differently
The importance of meetings and honest spaces
Psychosomatic signals and the body-mind connection
Turning crisis into growth and service
My Reflection
In this part of the conversation, Eirik spoke about the importance of prevention. Many people do not suddenly collapse. They slowly move downhill while still trying to function on the outside. This is why it matters to notice the early signs before life forces us to stop.
One point I found very valuable was how Eirik described spirituality. Not as an escape from difficulty, but as a way to see life’s challenges from another perspective. When we are inside a crisis, our view can become very narrow. A deeper perspective can help us understand the situation differently and find a way through it.
We also spoke about meetings and spaces where people can come together. This matters because isolation makes many problems heavier. When people meet, speak honestly and listen to each other, something can begin to move again. Eirik also mentioned tools and teachings connected to Indigenous traditions, which he has included in his own practice.
Another important theme was the connection between the body and the mind. Sometimes the body shows signals before we fully understand what is happening emotionally or mentally. These signals are not just problems to suppress. They can be information. When we listen earlier, we may prevent deeper imbalance.
For me, this part of the conversation is about prevention, perspective and transformation. A crisis can destroy us if we meet it unconsciously, but it can also become a turning point if we have the right support, tools and willingness to learn. Pain does not automatically become wisdom. But with honest work, it can become growth, and sometimes even something we use to help others.
Part 3/4
“Start doing the things that you enjoy doing...”
Listen / Watch Part 3:
Spotify – Listen to Part 3
Youtube– Watch Part 3
Episode Themes
Following natural rhythm instead of forcing growth
Integration after inner work
Healthy tools for returning to balance
The risk of escaping through unhealthy habits
Movement, mindfulness and teamwork as support
My Reflection
In this part of the conversation, Eirik and I continued speaking about Power Awakening, inner work and the importance of integration.
One theme that stood out was rhythm. Growth does not always happen by pushing harder. Sometimes it happens when we learn to move with life more naturally. Spring, movement, music, training, reflection and time with others can all support inner work when we use them consciously.
I also believe integration is one of the most important parts of personal development. It is not enough to have a strong experience in a workshop, conversation or retreat. The real question is: how do we bring that experience into everyday life?
Many people want quick transformation. But inner work usually takes time. We need repetition, practice and patience. We need to notice how we react at work, in relationships, in conflict and when pressure appears. That is where the real training happens.
We also touched on the ways people try to escape discomfort. Some habits may give short relief, but they do not always help us return to balance. When we feel low, overwhelmed or disconnected, it matters what tools we reach for. Movement, breath, honest conversation, mindfulness, nature and supportive groups can help us recover in a healthier way.
For me, this part of the conversation is about choosing tools that bring us closer to ourselves instead of further away. It is about doing the things that genuinely make us feel alive, grounded and connected — not as entertainment only, but as part of our wellbeing.
This also connects to teamwork and group development. When people share experiences, move together, reflect together or practice mindfulness together, they often understand each other better. That can improve communication, trust and the way people support each other under pressure.
The simple message is this: start doing more of what helps you feel healthy, present and alive. Then let those practices become part of your real life.
Part 4/4
“If you keep on moving, you will get the life you want.
Listen / Watch Part 4:
Spotify – Listen to Part 4
Youtube– Watch Part 4
Episode Themes
Fatherhood and personal responsibility
Asking for help as a strength
Group spaces and honest conversation
Curiosity instead of judgement
Movement, community and building a new life
My Reflection
In the final part of the conversation, Eirik and I spoke about fatherhood, responsibility, asking for help and the importance of continuing to move forward.
Fatherhood was an important starting point. Many people enter big life roles without enough self-development, emotional tools or support. We may become parents, partners, leaders or colleagues while still carrying unresolved patterns inside us. Inner work can help us meet these roles with more awareness instead of simply repeating what we have learned unconsciously.
One valuable point from Eirik was the importance of asking for help. Many people wait until things become very difficult before they reach out. But asking for help does not mean weakness. It can be the most responsible step. Support can come from a coach, therapist, group, mentor, friend or community. The important thing is not to carry everything alone.
We also spoke about group spaces. When people speak openly in a safe environment, heavy topics can become easier to carry. Honest conversation can reduce shame and help us see that others are also working through challenges. This can create relief, connection and courage.
Another theme was curiosity. Judgement often closes us down, while curiosity opens new possibilities. When we become curious about our reactions, emotions and patterns, we can understand ourselves better. This is one of the foundations of inner work: instead of attacking ourselves, we learn to observe what is happening inside us.
Eirik also spoke about movement, rhythm and finding healthier ways of living. This matters because personal development is not only about thinking. It is also about the body, daily habits, relationships and the communities we choose to be part of.
For me, this final part is about continuing. Not perfectly, not dramatically, but consistently. New people, new communities and new habits can help us find a different rhythm. If we keep moving with awareness, we give ourselves a chance to build the life we actually want.
Season 2
Episode 2 Part 1
“Relationship Is Where the Real Work Starts”
Season 2, Episode 1: love, attraction, self-awareness and relationship growth
Youtube– Watch Part 1
Episode Themes
Relationships as self-development
Summer attraction and the “pink cloud” phase
What happens when attraction becomes irritation
Joy, inspiration, grounding and safety in relationships
Emotional responsibility instead of unconscious conflict
Family patterns and relationship habits
Braveheart and Raveheart as relationship-awareness workshops
My Reflection
This conversation with Eirik opened the new season of the Power Awakening Podcast, where the focus is love, relationships, attraction and the inner work needed for healthier connection.
One strong theme was that relationships are not only about romance. They are one of the strongest mirrors we can have. In a relationship, we meet not only another person, but also our own fears, patterns, needs, reactions and emotional limitations.
We spoke about how many people want love, but may not be prepared for what a relationship actually requires. Attraction can be easy in the beginning, especially during summer, festivals, travelling and social events. But when the first “pink cloud” fades, the real mirror appears.
At the beginning, one person may bring joy, inspiration and aliveness. The other may bring grounding, safety and stability. These qualities create attraction because each person feels something they may be missing in themselves. But if both people do not take responsibility for developing those qualities inside themselves, attraction can slowly turn into irritation.
This is where relationship becomes growth work.
If we are not aware, we may start blaming the other person for showing us something we actually need to develop inside ourselves. Instead of asking, “What is this showing me?”, we may react, argue, withdraw or escape.
We also spoke about family life and old patterns. Children may not understand everything that happens at home, but they feel the atmosphere. They absorb what love, silence, conflict, distance or emotional safety looks like.
This is why proactive inner work matters. In my HSE background, I know that waiting until something goes wrong is a poor strategy. Prevention matters. The same is true in relationships. If we build awareness, communication, emotional tools and inner stability earlier, we have a much better chance of creating something healthy.
For me, this episode is about preparation. Not preparing to be perfect, but preparing to love more consciously.
Before entering a relationship, or while already being in one, we can ask:
What do I actually want to feel in connection?
What kind of partner am I becoming?
What do I keep expecting others to give me?
Where do I escape discomfort?
Where do I need more joy, grounding, safety or honesty inside myself?
This is also why I am launching the Braveheart and Raveheart workshops. They focus on relationship awareness, love, emotional patterns, inner strength and becoming more prepared for healthy connection.
Finding someone is one thing.
Being able to nourish the relationship is another.
Episode 2 Part 2
“Preventive Inner Work Before Love Breaks You”
Season 2, Episode 2: self-love, pain, emotional tools and conscious relationships
Youtube– Watch Part 2
Episode Themes
Preventive inner work before entering a relationship
Pain, discomfort and emotional maturity
Substances, numbing and temporary pleasure
Self-love, discipline and inner stability
Trust, vulnerability, gratitude, honor and allowance
Why relationship requires emotional tools
Happiness as something built from within
Commitment, devotion and staying through discomfort
My Reflection
In this second part with Eirik, we continued the relationship theme and focused on preventive inner work.
The question was simple:
What do we need to build inside ourselves before we enter a relationship, or before an existing relationship becomes damaged?
One strong theme was pain. Many people avoid discomfort because they do not know how to handle it. Instead of learning how to stay present with difficult emotions, they escape through alcohol, substances, scrolling, entertainment, work or temporary pleasure.
These things may create short relief, but they do not build real balance.
Eirik spoke about the importance of learning how to handle pain and intensity consciously. If we cannot stay with discomfort inside ourselves, it becomes very difficult to stay present in a relationship when conflict, fear, shame or insecurity appears.
We also spoke about self-love. Not as a soft idea, but as something practical. Self-love can be discipline, structure, movement, healthy habits, honesty, sexuality, rest, gratitude or taking responsibility for your own energy.
When you need another person to make you feel whole, the relationship becomes heavy. But when you build a strong relationship with yourself, you become more grounded, more attractive and less dependent on outside validation.
Eirik shared five simple foundations for relationship and self-development:
trust
allowance
gratitude
honor
vulnerability
These may sound simple, but they require practice. Many people are not used to speaking honestly, showing gratitude, honoring their own emotions or being vulnerable without fear.
This is why inner work is like mental training.
If we train the mind only through distraction, we become better at escaping. If we train awareness, emotional responsibility and honest communication, we become better at staying connected.
For me, this episode is about preparation. In HSE, prevention matters because waiting until something goes wrong can be dangerous. The same is true in relationships. If we wait until everything is broken, the work becomes much harder.
Preventive inner work helps us build an anchor inside ourselves.
Then, when life becomes difficult, we are not completely lost.
This episode is also connected to the Braveheart and Raveheart workshops in Oslo, where we explore relationship awareness, emotional patterns, inner strength, love, self-responsibility and practical tools for daily life.
Because finding love is one thing.
Being ready to stay conscious inside love is another.
Want to explore these topics in your own life?