Launch him well

A program to help fathers, coaches, and mentors prepare young men to become who they were meant to be.

Many fathers feel a quiet worry...

Have I given my son the tools to thrive in this world? To be capable? To build a good life? Carry the Fire was created to help fathers, mentors, and coaches step intentionally into that role.  Not with lectures, but with shared conversations and a clear path of formation. Because the most important lessons in life are rarely taught in a classroom. They are passed down.

Carry the Fire — At a Glance 

Carry the Fire is a path to launch young men into manhood and help them cultivate the strength, habits, and clarity needed to thrive in the modern world.

Deepen the Relationship Before the Launch

Shared challenge. Meaningful conversations. A path walked together. Because the most important lessons are not taught.

Curriculum

18 Chapters · 46 Lessons

  1. 1

    Mentor Guide (Mentors Start Here)

    1. Inside Carry the Fire Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Start Here - A Letter to Mentors

    3. Mentor Guide - Foundations Program At a Glance Free preview
    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 1 Preview

  2. 2

    Lesson 1: The Choice

    1. The Choice Free preview
    2. Lesson 1 Discussion Questions Free preview
    3. Lesson 1 Challenge & Assignment Free preview
  3. 3

    Lesson 2: Being Human in the 21st Century

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 2 Challenge & Assignment

  4. 4

    Lesson 3: The Big Questions

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 3 Challenge & Assignment

  5. 5

    Physical Training Supplementary Material

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      The Fitness Testing Battery

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Barbell Based 4/Week Strength Program

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Low Equipment HFT Strength Program (4-5 days/week)

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Low Equip Strength/Power/Cardio Fitness Plan

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Gym Based Total Body Training Circuit and Plyometric Power Day Options

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Essential Training Principles

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Progressing to Your First Pull-up and Beyond

  6. 6

    Lesson 4: Knowing is Not Enough

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 4 Challenge & Assignment

  7. 7

    Lesson 5: Action & Willpower

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 5 Challenge & Assignment

  8. 8

    Lesson 6: Habit, Behavior Change, and Following Through

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 6 Challenge & Assignment

  9. 9

    Lesson 7: Belief, Placebo, & Mental Limits

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 7 Challenge & Assignment

  10. 10

    Lesson 8: Training the Mind

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 8 Challenge & Assignment

  11. 11

    Lesson 9: Cognitive Biases & The Rationalizing Mind

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 9 Challenge & Assignment

  12. 12

    Lesson 10: What Do You Stand For? (The Rationalization Rabbit Hole)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 10 Challenge & Assignment

  13. 13

    Lesson 11: The Ideal

    1. Lesson 11 Discussion Questions Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 11 Challenge & Assignment

  14. 14

    Lesson 12: Values

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12 Value Mapping Exercise

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 12 Challenge & Assignment

  15. 15

    Lesson 13: The Paradox of Choice

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 13 Challenge & Assignment

  16. 16

    Lesson 14: Transformative Experiences

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 14 Discussion Questions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 14 Challenge & Assignment

  17. 17

    Lesson 15: Rites of Passage

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 15 Discussion Questions & Assignment

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Rite of Passage Planning Guide

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Mentor Guide - Read Before Return from ROP

  18. 18

    Lesson 16: Carry the Fire

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Lesson 16 Brotherhood Ceremony Mentor Scrip

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Carry the Fire 10 Rules and Code

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      The Expectations/Standards of Conduct

Not Character Education.  Character Formation. 

Not slogans. Not pump-up videos. Not vague virtue posters.  It is formation rooted in study, practice, mentorship, challenge, and embodied ideals. Carry the fire is a formation program designed to help fathers, coaches, and mentors guide young men in developing the strength, discipline, and clarity needed to build a meaningful life in the modern world. Through short lessons, discussions, physical challenges, and a culminating rite of passage, the program provides the kind of life preparation and character formation young men need—but rarely receive. The goal is not just to teach, but to shape character and create meaningful shared experiences. Participants engage with timeless principles of character, self-mastery, and purposeful living, while building habits and experiences that carry into real life.

Pre-order now Free preview

Questions You May Be Asking

What ages is this designed for? Best suited for young men roughly 15-24, though lessons will be meaningful well beyond that range. Do I need to be an expert mentor to lead this? No. It was designed for ordinary men willing to lead. How much time does it require? Most move through one or two lessons per week, but pacing is flexible.  What if the rite of passage feels intimidating? It is designed to fit your context—from simple and symbolic to highly challenging. Can this be done with teams or small groups? Yes. In fact, that’s how the program began.

About Shane Trotter

Shane Trotter is an educator, Strength and Conditioning coach, and Assistant Principal with over a decade of experience working with young men. He is the author of Setting the Bar and has led many groups of young men focused on character and discipline—work that became the foundation for Carry the Fire. He created Carry the Fire to meet the need for real male formation. His most important role and greatest joy is as a husband and father.

Life Preparation and Character Formation

Carry the Fire provides a structured path for launching young men into a way of life.   Each week builds on the last, guiding mentors and young men through lessons, reflection, and challenge. 

Simple Lesson Structure

Each session includes: a short video lesson, discussion prompts, assignments, and practical challenges designed to enrich the lesson and create meaningful conversation.  The program culminates in a powerful rite of passage. 

Designed For...

Fathers and sons Coaches and teams Mentors and small groups School leaders and all those who form men

What People Are Saying

Discover How Carry the Fire is Transforming Lives

”
Text-only testimonials are quick to scan and can highlight the value of your product at a glance.
Jessica L.

Las Vegas, NV

The combination of text and imagery make the testimonial feel more personal and credible.
Ashley T.

Working mom

”
Finally, a handbook that makes photography feel simple! It covers everything from camera settings to post-processing in a way that actually makes sense.
Anna W.

Amateur photographer

Ready to Start?

Enroll in Carry the Fire today and begin the program that will change everything.

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