The Burden Men Carry | Mark Domain on Male Trauma, Ancestral Healing & Finding the Strength Within.

In this deeply personal episode of **Spiritual Infinity’s series on men and emotional wellbeing**, I speak with **Mark Domain**, a South African now living in Panama, about the burdens men can carry when they are taught from childhood that strength means suppressing fear, vulnerability and emotion. Mark describes growing up within a highly disciplined environment, later serving in the military, where the message was reinforced: push through, solve the problem, stay strong and put feelings aside. Mark’s story is also a spiritual one. From childhood, he recalls experiences he could not explain and a persistent sense that there was more to life than the world he could physically see. Yet as a young man, these were experiences he largely carried alone. His search for understanding eventually led him beyond military and corporate life into energy work, shamanic practice, metaphysical studies and his own exploration of ancestral trauma. One of the most powerful themes of our conversation is the difference between **appearing strong and becoming inwardly strong**. Mark describes how men can learn to carry responsibility, solve everyone else’s problems and continue moving forward while their own emotional pain remains unspoken. For him, genuine change began when he stopped focusing solely on the outside world and turned towards himself: *if I want to change the outside world, I must begin with the inner world.* Mark went on to study metaphysical science and undertake a PhD in philosophy focused specifically on ancestral trauma. His approach combines his spiritual beliefs with his exploration of patterns that he believes can pass through generations. In particular, he discusses the pressure many men feel to provide, carry the burden and always find the solution—and what can happen emotionally when work, purpose or the role through which a man has defined himself suddenly disappears. But this is ultimately a conversation about **healing rather than carrying**. Mark encourages men to recognise their patterns, find a safe person or space in which they can speak, acknowledge when they need help and begin listening to what is happening within themselves. **Closing Reflection** There is a particular kind of strength that the world has traditionally asked of men: endure it, fix it, carry it and keep going. But perhaps another kind of strength is needed now. The strength to say, **“I’m struggling.”** The strength to recognise a pattern rather than automatically repeat it. The strength to ask for help. And the strength to sit quietly enough to hear what has been buried beneath years of being told to *soldier on*. Mark’s practical advice to men is simple: **find your safe space**. Find somewhere you can speak without judgement. Begin noticing the patterns that repeatedly trigger you, and recognise when something is too much to carry alone. He also suggests something beautifully simple: five minutes of silence each day. Before the telephone, before the demands of the world, sit quietly, breathe and return to yourself. And spiritually, our conversation returned to something central to *Spiritual Infinity*: **we are not alone**. There is a Creator, a Higher Being, and when the burden becomes overwhelming, we do not have to believe that human strength requires us to carry everything by ourselves. So to the men reading, watching or listening: **please talk.** And to those of us who love them: let us create spaces safe enough for them to do so. **— Zenzi SewaahFounder & Spiritual Visionary, Spiritual Infinity** **Guest Bio & Contact** **Mark Domain** is a spiritual practitioner whose journey has taken him from a regimented upbringing and military service through corporate life and into the study of energy healing, shamanic practice and metaphysical science. He holds a master’s-level qualification in metaphysical science and undertook a PhD in philosophy focusing specifically on ancestral trauma. His work is centred on helping people recognise and address patterns they may be carrying and empowering them with tools they can use for themselves and their families. **Website:** SoulJourneyWisdom.life**Email:** [mark@souljourneywisdom.life](mailto:mark@souljourneywisdom.life)**Book:** Mark also revealed that he is currently working on a book, with further details to be announced when it is ready. Get full access to Zenzi’s Substack at zenzisewaah.substack.com/subscribe