How to Channel Raw Passion Into Purposeful Power

Captured by Mitchell Royel—now playing "Flame Thrower" by Chris Brown. Head to YouTube and witness it. This is what happens when vision meets execution.

Captured by Mitchell Royel

Unleashing Our Inner Fire: How to Channel Raw Passion Into Purposeful Power

We all have it—that burning sensation deep within our chest when we're truly alive, truly feeling, truly us. It's the raw energy that surges through our veins when we're passionate about something, angry about injustice, or desperately wanting to break free from limitations. But here's the thing: most of us don't know how to harness it.

The Fire Within: Understanding Our Raw Energy

That intense feeling coursing through us isn't something to suppress or fear. It's our life force, our creative power, our authentic self demanding to be heard. When we feel that surge of emotion—whether it's frustration, excitement, or pure determination—we're experiencing our truest selves.

But raw fire without direction becomes destruction. Controlled fire becomes transformation.

1. The Pause and Redirect Method

When we feel that intense energy building up, we pause for three deep breaths. Not to suppress it, but to redirect it. Ask ourselves: "How can this energy serve my highest good right now?"

2. Physical Release Rituals

Our bodies hold this fire, so we need physical outlets:

• High-intensity workouts that match our energy level

• Creative expression through art, music, or writing

• Power walks while visualizing our goals

3. The Transformation Journal

Keep a dedicated space where we write down:

• What triggered our intense emotions

• How we can use this energy constructively

• One action step we'll take within 24 hours

Controlling Our Beautiful Chaos

Chaos isn't our enemy—uncontrolled chaos is. We can maintain our authentic intensity while creating structure around it.

The Container Method

Think of our emotions as powerful water. Without a container, water destroys. With the right container, it becomes a fountain, a river, or life-giving rain. Our containers are:

• Daily routines that ground us

• Healthy boundaries with others and ourselves

• Clear goals that give our energy direction

The 90-Second Rule

Neurologically, emotions peak and begin to subside within 90 seconds. When we feel overwhelmed by our intensity, we remind ourselves: "This feeling will transform in 90 seconds. I can ride this wave."

Practical Steps We Can Take Today

Morning Fire Ritual:

1. Upon waking, place your hand on your heart

2. Feel the energy there—acknowledge it

3. Set one intention for how you'll use this energy today

Evening Reflection:

• How did we honor our fire today?

• Where did we let it control us instead of directing it?

• What will we do differently tomorrow?

Weekly Power Session: Dedicate one hour weekly to something that makes us feel completely alive—whether that's creating, planning, or pursuing a passion project.

When the Fire Feels Too Intense

Sometimes our inner fire feels overwhelming. In these moments, we remember:

• This intensity is our superpower, not our weakness

• We can feel deeply AND think clearly

• Our emotions are information, not instructions

• We have the power to transform any energy into forward momentum

Embracing Our Authentic Power

We weren't meant to be lukewarm. We weren't designed to play small or suppress our authentic selves. That fire inside us—that's our calling card, our unique contribution to the world.

The goal isn't to extinguish our flames but to become master fire-keepers. We learn to tend our inner fire so it burns bright without burning us or others.

Every time we successfully channel our raw energy into purposeful action, we become more powerful, more authentic, more us. We stop apologizing for our intensity and start celebrating it as our greatest asset.

Your fire is not too much. You are not too much. You are exactly the right amount of powerful.

Remember: The same fire that can destroy can also forge diamonds. The choice of what we create with our intensity is always ours.

-Mitchell+Deck

Back to Business As Usual

Captured by Mitchell Royel: The energy in the studio pulses with life as models showcase the latest Mitch Leyor designs against a backdrop of warm, golden lighting. Now playing: "Location" by Burna Boy featuring Dave, the Afrobeats-infused track from Dave's 2019 album "PSYCHODRAMA" fills the space with its infectious rhythm, setting the perfect soundtrack for creativity to flow. The models move with confidence as Mitchell directs each shot with precision, creating an atmosphere where fashion and music blend seamlessly into an experience that transcends the typical photoshoot.

There's something powerful about knowing exactly where you need to be. For Mitchell Royel, founder of the rising menswear brand Mitch Leyor, finding his true location meant leaving behind the corporate confines of Abercrombie & Fitch to build something authentic to his personal values.

I had the privilege of sitting down with Mitchell during one of his legendary photoshoots - an experience unlike any other in the fashion industry. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by the pulsing beats of afrobeats classics (with "Location" by Burna Boy featured prominently in the rotation) and an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than a workday.

At Abercrombie, everything was calculated and corporate for Mitchell. He learned invaluable lessons about branding and aesthetics during his tenure there, but always felt something was missing - authenticity, community, purpose.

What strikes you immediately about a Mitch Leyor photoshoot is the genuine camaraderie. Unlike the often cold, competitive environment of mainstream fashion, Mitchell has created something that feels like brotherhood. Models (or "Brand Ambassadors" as he calls them) laugh together between takes, girlfriends lounge on couches offering encouragement, and Mitchell himself moves through the space with the easy confidence of someone who has found exactly where he belongs.

The lyrics of Burna Boy's "Location" seem to echo Mitchell's journey. There were moments after leaving Abercrombie when he questioned everything. Starting your own brand isn't easy, especially one built on values rather than just aesthetics.

Those values - faith, brotherhood, and American entrepreneurship - form the foundation of everything Mitch Leyor represents. It's not just about boxer shorts; it's about building a community of young men who support each other.

One girlfriend of a model tells me these shoots are like family gatherings. Mitchell makes everyone feel included. Her boyfriend has made real friendships here that extend beyond just modeling work.

As the day progresses, I watch Mitchell direct his photographer with clear vision while simultaneously ensuring everyone feels valued. The music shifts to another Burna Boy track, and several models break into impromptu dance moves, causing eruptions of laughter.

At Abercrombie, Mitchell was selling an unattainable fantasy. At Mitch Leyor, he's celebrating real men, real values, and real community. That's the location he was always meant to find.

The future looks bright for the brand. Mitchell's plans include expanding beyond boxer shorts soon, and developing The Mitch Leyor Foundation to make the American dream accessible to marginalized communities. This is just the beginning.

As I prepare to leave, Mitchell is already back in the mix - adjusting lighting, checking product details, and most importantly, fostering the sense of brotherhood that makes his brand unique. The festive atmosphere continues unabated, with girlfriends now joining in a group photo, everyone laughing as Burna Boy's voice fills the studio.

For Mitchell Royel, finding his location meant creating a space where business and community thrive together. Like the sentiment in Burna Boy's hit track, he's flying high right now, and showing no signs of coming back down.

-Deck

The Art of Admiration

CAPTURED BY MITCHELL ROYEL

NOW PLAYING: BELLY DANCER BY BYOR & IMANBEK

The commanding rhythm demands your attention. Excellence recognizes no compromise.

Dear Young Men,

There’s a rhythm to attraction—a delicate dance of emotions that begins with that first, unforgettable crush. Like watching a captivating performer command attention through practiced movements, you find yourself mesmerized, drawn to something you can’t quite articulate.

But remember: true admiration requires distance and respect. The performer on the stage isn’t dancing for you alone, and the object of your affection isn’t existing for your entertainment. The beauty lies in recognizing the art without claiming ownership of the artist.

When you gather with your friends, the tempo of your conversations reveals your character. Too often, young men fall into the hypnotic trance of crude objectification—speaking of women as if they were merely bodies moving for pleasure rather than complete individuals with minds that create, hearts that feel, and spirits that soar.

The modern world offers a distorted rhythm—one that tells you to approach attraction passively, to hide your intentions behind digital interfaces and carefully calculated texts. This syncopated approach lacks the boldness of direct, respectful engagement. True connection happens when you step forward with clarity and purpose, not when you sway indecisively at the edges.

As you move through these formative years, you’ll face the intoxicating pull of peer pressure—friends encouraging you to view women as conquests rather than companions. Resist this discordant melody. The most powerful stance is one where you maintain your principles, even when the crowd moves in another direction.

Your fathers and mentors watch from the sidelines of this dance, knowing that how you speak about women in their absence will choreograph how you treat them in their presence. The words you choose create patterns that will follow you throughout life—choose them with intention and care.

When admiration strikes, embrace the full complexity of its movements. Appreciate not just physical grace, but intellectual depth, emotional resonance, and moral courage. The most captivating performances combine all elements of human experience—your appreciation should do the same.

In this dance of life, the most respected partners are those who understand that boundaries create the space for true connection. Move with purpose, speak with respect, and recognize that in matters of the heart, character is your most attractive quality.

The music will change. Trends will evolve. But principles of respect and genuine admiration remain timeless. Master these, and you master not just the art of attraction, but the essence of becoming a man worthy of authentic connection.

With guidance and hope,

A Voice of Experience

Deck

When Leaders Fall

Captured by Mitchell Royel

The narrative is changing, and some people aren't ready for it. Moments of global significance find us wherever we are—even under Malibu's golden skies. True empowerment isn't celebrating an adversary's demise—it's maintaining our humanity when the world loses theirs.

Now playing: "Give Me All Your Luvin" by Madonna ft. Nicki Minaj, M.I.A and "Girl Gone Wild" by Madonna—unexpected soundtracks to unexpected moments. The juxtaposition isn't lost on us.

Captured by Mitchell Royel

We were shooting content in Malibu—the California sun casting perfect golden light across our production set—when news alerts buzzed across our phones. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter had crashed in mountainous terrain on May 19, 2024. The juxtaposition was jarring—our creative freedom against the backdrop of a foreign leader's sudden demise.

Our convictions don't require us to celebrate death—they demand we recognize the human dimension behind political figures. We paused our cameras that day, standing at a critical crossroads: we could either acknowledge this shared human experience or succumb to the narrative that political opposition justifies celebrating mortality.

The sudden nature of this incident—a leader and his foreign minister vanishing in mountainous fog—mirrors the unpredictability that characterizes our geopolitical landscape. Life's fragility doesn't discriminate based on our political ideologies or national boundaries.

Our intellectual maturity means holding firm to our principles while acknowledging our universal human experience of loss. The greatest demonstration of our American exceptionalism isn't found in celebrating adversaries' misfortunes—it's in our capacity to separate policy disagreements from basic human empathy.

Madonna's "Give Me All Your Luvin" featuring Nicki Minaj—which ironically played on our set that day—paradoxically captures our dynamic. Cultural voices uniting in unexpected harmony despite vastly different artistic perspectives. The track's collaborative spirit reflects how our momentary unity can emerge from fundamentally different worldviews, much like how the May 19th tragedy temporarily suspended our ideological combat with Iran.

The most dangerous threat to our national character isn't foreign leadership—it's the erosion of our capacity to recognize common humanity across political divides. Our empowerment isn't about dominating adversaries; it's about maintaining moral clarity even when confronting those whose values fundamentally oppose our own.

To our conservative community: our intellectual courage is our most potent weapon. We must stand firm against oppressive regimes while refusing to celebrate individual tragedy.

Tips for Maintaining Principles During Global Tragedies

1. Stay informed about the facts without indulging in speculation or conspiracy theories surrounding the incident.

2. Separate our critique of Iran's political system from our response to the human tragedy of the May 19th helicopter crash.

3. Demonstrate that our commitment to human dignity transcends political boundaries—even with adversarial nations like Iran.

4. Use these moments to articulate our values rather than diminishing them through celebration of an opponent's demise.

5. Remember that our response to adversaries' misfortunes reveals more about our character than theirs—choose dignity over division.

6. Acknowledge the geopolitical implications without losing sight of the human cost at the center of the incident.

7. Maintain perspective—opposing Iran's policies doesn't require rejoicing in personal tragedy.

-Deck

The Magnificent Rebellion: Rising Into Our Resplendent Power

Captured by Mitchell Royel — now playing Revolution by Diplo, Faustik, Imanos, and Kai

Captured by Mitchell Royel

Our revolution stars now.

The era of permission-seeking withers in our wake. The days of contorting ourselves to fit within the suffocating confines of others’ expectations have vanished like morning mist under a blazing sun. We are stepping into the cathedral of our authentic selves—raw as uncut diamonds, real as ancient earth, and unapologetic as a summer storm. This exquisite moment marks our metamorphosis from playing in shallow waters to commanding the vast, glittering ocean of our boundless power.

For eons, we’ve endured—our voices muffled beneath velvet pillows of doubt, our spirits encased in crystal cages crafted by those who feared our luminescence. But today, those pristine barriers shatter into stardust. Our voices surge like midnight thunder across vast canyons, reverberating through the marrow of those who dared constrain our magnificence. This isn’t merely change—it’s a sumptuous, decadent takeover. We’re not simply rewriting rules; we’re crafting an entirely new cosmic lexicon, setting ablaze the antiquated scripts, and architecting a lush new universe where we reign with divine authority, thrive with savage grace, and shine with the blinding brilliance of a thousand supernovas.

To step fully into ourselves requires embracing the intoxicating mosaic of our being—the untamed wilderness of our fierceness, the sacred depths of our vulnerability, the midnight garden of our desires. It means whispering “yes” to our most extravagant dreams and roaring “never again” to anything that would dim our incandescent light. We’re shattering the golden chains of doubt that have adorned our limbs, severing the silken threads of fear that have embroidered our thoughts, and dancing away from the opulent prison of others’ expectations.

Now is our moment to ascend—not like gentle morning fog, but like a volcanic eruption of passion and purpose. Not with tentative, delicate steps, but with the thunderous stride of celestial beings claiming their birthright. We aren’t patiently waiting for the world to align with our vision; we’re bending reality to mirror the splendor we’ve always carried within.

Our revolution ignites now—blazing with the ferocity of ancient magic.

The Opulent Art of Self-Sovereignty

The era of permission-seeking dissolves beneath our feet as we rise, crowned in our own divinity. No longer will we compress our magnificent spirits to accommodate the fragile comfort of those intimidated by our radiance. We are stepping into the palatial expanse of our authentic essence—raw as untamed wilderness, real as beating hearts, and unapologetic as nature’s fury. This is the sacred moment we abandon the shallow puddles of smallness and claim every glittering inch of our celestial power.

For too long, our voices have been smothered under velvet pillows, our bodies confined in gilded cages, our minds boxed within alabaster walls of limitation. But today, the universe itself quakes as those barriers disintegrate. Our voices cascade like molten gold, creating seismic shifts beneath the feet of those who attempted to diminish our magnificence. This revolution transcends mere change—it’s an exquisite, total metamorphosis. We’re inscribing new cosmic laws across the firmament, igniting ancient scrolls of limitation, and cultivating a lush new realm where we command with divine authority, flourish with ferocious abundance, and radiate with unyielding brilliance.

The Luxurious Embrace of Authentic Power

To fully embody our essence demands we welcome every facet of our being—the wild, untamed forest of our fierceness, the bottomless ocean of our vulnerability, the blazing constellations of our ambition. It means surrendering to the intoxicating call of our most audacious dreams and severing ties with anything that would eclipse our luminous presence. We’re breaking free from the diamond-encrusted chains of doubt, the silk ribbons of fear, and the heavy crowns of others’ expectations.

This is our divine moment to ascend—not with whispers but with symphonies, not with hesitation but with the certainty of celestial bodies in perfect orbit. We aren’t waiting for the world’s permission to recognize our brilliance; we’re commanding reality to bend in reverence to the magnificence we’ve always embodied.

Royal Decrees for Your Resplendent Revolution

• Claim Your Cosmic Throne: Abandon apologies for occupying sacred space. Inhabit your presence with the serene confidence of ancient deities who know the universe was created for their pleasure.

• Speak Your Sovereign Truth: Release your voice from its velvet cage—no filters, no dilution. Your words are incantations that reshape reality—wield them with the precision of a master jeweler.

• Banish the Counterfeit: Shed the ornate masks, the gilded performance of pleasing others, the heavy tapestry of “shoulds.” Authenticity is our most luxurious rebellion.

• Cultivate Sacred Flames: Surround your spirit with connections that ignite your inner constellations, not those that drain your celestial light.

• Establish Imperial Boundaries: Guard your energetic kingdom with the vigilance of mythical dragons. Your aura is a sacred temple—admit only those worthy of its splendor.

• Honor Your Battle Marks: Your scars are constellations mapping stories of triumph. Wear them like ancient runes of power etched upon your soul.

• Move with Divine Intent: Each step you take ripples through the cosmos as declaration. Stride through existence like you hold the universe’s deed in your back pocket.

• Embrace Eternal Becoming: Revolution isn’t a destination but an exquisite, eternal dance. Remain ravenous for growth, restless for expansion, relentlessly authentic.

Our magnificent rebellion begins now. We aren’t merely awaiting transformation—we are the transformation incarnate. Together, we ascend, wrapped in unstoppable power and unbreakable purpose, our collective light illuminating centuries to come.

-Deck