Guardian Mt. Hood Jiu Jitsu

In a world obsessed with power and hierarchy, where we are often pressured to “become alpha” or “stand out as sigma,” there lies a more profound, untapped potential—the cultivation of shepherds and transcendents. While the traditional hierarchy of alphas, betas, and omegas dominates modern self-help and self-empowerment discourse, these roles reflect only a fraction of what we can become. Beyond these labels exists a higher calling, one that embraces a balanced and transcendent way of life: that of the shepherd and the transcendent.

Through my work in philosophy, psychology, and martial arts, and in my writing—where I delve into nutrition, fitness, trauma healing, and the spiritual path—I teach what I call the art of “taking the gardener in a war to a warrior in a garden.” This transformation is a journey of self-awareness, resilience, and wisdom that goes beyond just competing for dominance. It’s about mastering oneself. In this post, I’ll explore how we can cultivate shepherds and transcendents in a world where everyone is busy identifying with betas, alphas, or omegas, and why the biggest lesson we can teach is this: you are your own biggest adversary, but you can become your greatest ally.

Understanding the Role of Shepherds and Transcendents

To understand shepherds and transcendents, we first need to redefine power. Traditionally, power is viewed as dominance over others—a notion deeply ingrained in alpha and omega hierarchies. But shepherds and transcendents view power differently. For them, power is rooted in wisdom, humility, and service. A shepherd doesn’t lead for the sake of control; they lead with a sense of duty, protection, and a selfless commitment to those they guide. A transcendent, in turn, rises even beyond the concept of leadership, existing in a state of harmony with themselves and the world around them, untouched by the conventional need for status or validation.

In martial arts, particularly in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, we see glimpses of these higher states. A skilled martial artist doesn’t fight simply to conquer opponents; they strive to master themselves, to find calm amid chaos, and to balance strength with compassion. In philosophy, we speak of transcending personal desires, overcoming the ego, and achieving inner peace as pathways to enlightenment. A shepherd and a transcendent live out these philosophies in practice, transforming themselves not just for self-gain but for the well-being of others.

The Art of Becoming: From Gardener in a War to Warrior in a Garden

In my book The Ifs, Ands, or Butts of Nutrition and Fitness and through my experiences teaching martial arts, I’ve explored the metaphor of “a gardener in a war” becoming “a warrior in a garden.” This metaphor speaks to the transformative power of mastering the self—not only learning to be calm in the storm but learning to bring calm with you into any environment. When we’re in survival mode, we’re like a gardener forced into battle, reacting defensively. But as we grow, learn, and master ourselves, we can become the warrior who cultivates peace and strength from within.

To cultivate shepherds and transcendents, we must teach individuals that the greatest battles they’ll face aren’t external. They are internal. Their doubts, fears, and unhealed wounds are the real adversaries. The art of becoming a shepherd or transcendent starts with realizing that every one of us is both our biggest adversary and our greatest ally. Self-mastery is achieved when we can see our limitations, confront them, and use them as tools for growth.

Building Shepherds and Transcendents: Self-Mastery as a Core Philosophy

The journey to becoming a shepherd or transcendent starts with understanding that one’s true value is not determined by their rank in a hierarchy but by their mastery over themselves. Here’s how we can foster this growth:

1. Self-Awareness as the Foundation

The path to becoming a shepherd or transcendent begins with self-awareness. In my teachings, I emphasize understanding oneself deeply—recognizing personal triggers, insecurities, and areas of weakness. Shepherds are deeply in tune with themselves, aware of their fears and strengths, and grounded in their purpose. Self-awareness allows them to lead with humility and avoid the pitfalls of ego-driven dominance. Transcendents, meanwhile, use self-awareness to rise above internal conflict, finding peace that is unshaken by external circumstances.

2. Transforming the Inner Adversary into an Ally

When we realize that our greatest enemy is often our own mind, we can begin the work of transforming that adversary into an ally. This means practicing self-compassion, learning to forgive oneself, and using discipline to build trust in one’s abilities. In martial arts, this principle translates to respect for one’s opponents, learning from failures, and understanding that strength is as much mental as physical. We cultivate shepherds and transcendents by teaching individuals to make allies of their own minds, facing inner doubts and fears instead of allowing them to dictate their actions.

3. Service Over Power

True leadership is not about control but about service. A shepherd prioritizes the well-being of others and operates out of love, patience, and guidance. They understand that their strength is not in their ability to dominate but in their willingness to uplift. This is the essence of the warrior in the garden—possessing strength yet choosing gentleness. A transcendent, on the other hand, serves as a guide by embodying peace and wisdom without the need to enforce it. They inspire others through their presence, their calm, and their harmony with life.

4. Balancing Strength with Compassion

A shepherd must know when to use strength and when to exercise restraint. In martial arts, we learn that a fight isn’t won by brute force but by balance, timing, and control. The same is true for leading others. A transcendent takes this a step further by embodying compassion not just for others but for all of existence. They recognize the interconnectedness of life and act in ways that honor this connection.

5. Continuous Learning and Humility

Shepherds and transcendents are perpetual students of life. They recognize that true wisdom comes from humility and the willingness to learn from each experience. Shepherds remain open to growth, adapting their wisdom to guide others better. Transcendents accept that they are part of something much larger, finding joy in the mysteries of existence rather than in answers.

The Power of the Inner Journey

In a world driven by competition, cultivating shepherds and transcendents requires us to shift our focus inward. When we teach individuals to see themselves as their own greatest adversary—and ultimately, their greatest ally—we empower them to break free from external hierarchies. They learn to operate from a place of internal stability rather than external validation. They become shepherds who lead with love and wisdom or transcendents who embody peace and harmony.

Imagine a world filled with shepherds and transcendents rather than individuals vying for alpha status. This world would be one where people uplift each other rather than compete for dominance, where strength is used to protect rather than oppress, and where wisdom is shared rather than hoarded. Such a world would redefine what it means to be powerful, challenging us to see true power not as control over others but as mastery over oneself.

As we move forward, let us remember that the journey from a gardener in a war to a warrior in a garden is one of self-discovery, resilience, and compassion. It’s a journey that teaches us that we are our own biggest adversary and, at the same time, our most powerful ally. Only by mastering ourselves can we become shepherds who lead with humility or transcendents who live in harmony with all that is. And in doing so, we may find that we have not only transformed ourselves but also changed the world.