You Aren’t Defined by the Dust and Rust

In today’s Friday Field Notes, Ryan Michler shares a powerful message built around a simple but meaningful reminder: your dust, your rust, and your scars do NOT define you - they tell your story.

After finding an old, rusted metal grid and working to restore it, Ryan reflects on how men often feel discarded, overlooked, or worn down by life. Through this analogy, he unpacks five key truths about identity, hardship, and resilience.

If you’ve ever felt beat up by life, sidelined by circumstances, or dismissed by others, this episode will remind you of your worth and your purpose.

In This Episode:
Why your scars are proof that you’ve lived, not that you’re broken
How stagnation creates “rust” in your life
How to wipe away habits, attitudes, and behaviors that no longer serve you
Why rejection doesn’t define your value
How to turn your scars into stories that help others

Five Lessons From This Episode:
What clings to you is not who you are
Rust only forms when you sit still
You can wipe away what no longer serves you
Your scars are your stories - your mess is your message
Someone’s trash is another person’s treasure

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
00:00 – Introduction
00:27 – The Rusted Metal Grid Story
02:51 – Men Feeling Discarded
03:20 – Five Lessons About Dust and Rust
03:30 – #1 You Are Not Defined by What Clings to You
05:16 – #2 Rust Only Forms When You Sit Still
07:29 – Stop Wearing Other Men’s Names
08:07 – Become the Man Who Leads
09:30 – #3 Wipe Away What No Longer Serves You
10:27 – #4 Your Scars Are Proof You’ve Lived
12:40 – Turning Scars Into Stories
13:50 – The Restored Rusty Truck Story
14:46 – #5 Someone’s Trash Is Another’s Treasure
16:04 – Being Valued at Home
17:19 – Recap of the Five Lessons
18:00 – Final Encouragement & Closing CTA

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