Who Thought We'd Be Here?
Both seeking answers from the Universe as they turned 30, co-hosts and longtime pals Steven Aigner and John Pugh found themselves improving in ways their younger and much more wild selves could have never seen coming. They began conquering and healing their past selves with unfamiliar mindfulness tools like meditation, yoga, breath-work, journaling, reading transformative books, and experimenting with mind expanding remedies.
Ignited by a passion to help others struggling with complex problems of their own and a desire to create a new narrative surrounding men's mental health in today's modern society, they created their first collaborative podcast "Who Thought We'd Be Here?" This podcast is all about exploring the boundless potential within ourselves, and to inspire each and every one of us to be fearless in our own unique human experience.
Their goal is to make mindfulness more accessible for folks all around the world, and express the genuine benefits of redesigning your life in a more thoughtful way.
We'd love for you to join us on this spiritual journey, as we try to shine a little light into what it really and truly means to be a good human in this Universe.
NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!!!
A mental health podcast with two guys who never would have thought they'd be here podcasting. Hosted by Steven Aigner (@_itssteve__) & John Pugh (@jay_pugh).
Find all of our full length episodes and content here:
https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod
Who Thought We'd Be Here?
"Emmanuel Jimenez: Being the Rooted Man You Were Always Meant To Be" | EP059
In this episode, we’re joined by Manny Jimenez — a real estate agent, martial artist, and man of deep faith — for an honest conversation about identity, growth, and staying grounded in a world full of noise. Manny opens up about his personal journey, from navigating insecurities in his youth to becoming a disciplined and purpose-driven man rooted in spiritual values.
He shares how his faith has shaped his approach to life and business, the lessons he’s learned through martial arts, and why vulnerability and emotional honesty are essential to true masculinity. We dive into the challenges of staying authentic on social media, letting go of ego, and learning to embrace the hard stuff — because failure is just feedback.
This episode is a reminder that strength doesn’t mean perfection, and that staying rooted in your values — especially faith and family — is the real foundation for becoming who you’re meant to be.
Check out Manny on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mannysellsupstate
1:00 the willingness to be kind despite people thinking it may not be genuine
3:00 Who is Manny Jimenez? And how did he get here?
4:30 the reality and expectations of social media
5:30 God has already made you “enough” and being your best self
6:30 Don’t let material things change what you are rooted in
7:30 The origin of Manny’s Christian faith
10:00 Your faith is more than your belief, it’s about action
12:00 dealing with insecurity and growing into yourself with family dynamics
14:30 the people who shaped Manny to be who he is authentically today
16:30 the bold moment where Manny faced his insecurity as a teenager
19:00 Failure is feedback
20:00 The discipline and vulnerability of martial arts
29:00 Life is simple, but it’s not easy
32:30 life is just the art of becoming who you are
35:00 the importance of men being vulnerable and having conversations about your feelings
39:30 dealing with the stereotype of what it means to be a man and defining that for yourself
45:00 you need people in your life that don’t let you quit
47:00 being a rooted man in your masculine energy
50:00 asking yourself the question “Is this the man I want to be?”
57:00 You have to know the price of the things you want in life
1:00:00 being your authentic self on your career journey
1:07:00 the origin of the name “Who Thought We’d Be Here?”
1:17:00 Gratitude brings me back to baseline, even in a huge victory
1:25:00 Steve reflects on becoming a father soon
1:30:00 Manny reflects on remembering that our parents are humans who make mistakes too
1:38:00 Manny’s council
1:45:00 Will you say yes to the negative thoughts then they pop into your head?
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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!
"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.
https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod
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