6. THE TRIAL

You’ve already said yes to a more soulful life. You’ve crossed the threshold, left behind the old map, and stepped into the wilderness. But now the way forward vanishes beneath your feet, and all you're left with is the silence and yourself.

In this episode, we explore The Trial, a sacred moment in every Wayfinder’s journey where clarity is absent, doubt is deafening, and the only thing being tested is your devotion to the truth that called you here. 

Through myth, story, and lived experience, Mike shares what it means to meet yourself in the silence, to stay when everything in you wants to flee, and to find the kind of strength that doesn’t roar but whispers, “just one more step.”

From a near-abandoned career path to a life-changing ride in Peru, and a gruelling summit of Cotopaxi in Ecuador, this is an invitation to see your trial not as punishment but as preparation. A moment not to conquer, but to remember.

If you're standing at the edge of something new or watching something old fall away, this episode is for you.

PROMPTS

• Where in my life am I showing up out of fear rather than alignment?
• What would I do differently if I believed the trial was sacred and necessary, not a mistake or a punishment?
• What is emerging in me through this struggle, and what is asking to be released?

EXERCISE

Write a letter from your future self, one year from now, who has passed this trial with grace and courage. Let them speak to you about what mattered, what didn’t, and what surprised them. Let them remind you why you began.

Then write a short, clear commitment statement. One sentence. 

Start with: “I commit to...” and make it about your path, your soul’s truth, your next step. Keep it close. Say it aloud each morning for the next week.

CONTINUE THE JOURNEY:

✴️ Join a Wayfinders Adventure → way-finders.com/adventures

Wayfinders Adventures are soul-stirring retreats for entrepreneurs and leaders ready to reconnect with their deeper selves and others walking the same path.

✴️ Join Mike & Philip McKernan in Iceland in May 2026 → www.unshakeable2026.com

Unshakable: Iceland is a 5-day retreat at a private, secluded Icelandic sanctuary, led by me and Philip McKernan. For entrepreneurs who know the world is changing, and want to meet it with stillness, strength, and truth.

✴️ Join a live Soultalks call → https://lu.ma/soultalks

Each month, we gather for a soulful online conversation: a space to slow down, reflect, and connect with others navigating the same questions.

✴️ Get notified about upcoming entrepreneur events: https://way-finders.com/events-list

Get a weekly email with a curated selection of events around the world for growth-minded entrepreneurs.

✴️ Subscribe to my Substack → wayfinders.substack.com

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