Ascent Empowerment Reviews 34

Before Ascent I was struggling to overcome my diagnosed binge eating disorder. I had such big battles within myself in trying to find ways to get over it. The tools I gained in Ascent were the missing pieces that allowed me to get over it. Now I eat in an empowered and self-loving way. I am much healthier.

Before Ascent I was consistently anxious and dwelling on the past and the future to the point that it would ruin many hours of my days. Through the use of the empowerment tools of Ascent, I now rarely experience any anxiety due to the newly gained trust I have in myself and the ability to stay present in the moments of each day. If I do feel anxious, I'm now able to be curious and learn from it, then move on. It does not control me any longer.

The Ascent program has radically transformed my life from one of drudgery and survival to one of hope and purpose.

I find myself more engaged at work with increased success and fewer hours. This, in turn, has created more time for my family and my personal outdoor pursuits. I was even able to take two weeks off to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro last fall. (Something that I never thought was possible until Ascent.)

The camaraderie I have experienced with the other men in the program has led to friendship and an enhanced network of likeminded professionals.

My wife has even said it is the best financial investment we have ever made.

My experience with Ascent has been life changing. I identified so many growth areas with Chris and have broken so many old patterns as a result of his support that I am truly starting to live my best life now. The high impact engagement from Chris is unlike anything I have experienced in a coaching or therapy relationship. And, the camaraderie and friendships formed from connecting with other men in similar stages of growth is so great. I would not be happier in my marriage and as successful recently in my career and in my life without Ascent!

The Creating an Empowered Life program helped me overcome consistent feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt by providing me with a framework to dismantle my negative thought patterns. As a result, I now have more capacity for love, vision, and courage in both my personal and professional life. I'm more excited about my work than ever, and my new professional outlook has even inspired my wife (who has never found my career all that inspiring!). I also found that the systematic and structured approach Chris and his team used to lead me through the program gave me perspective on the ebbs and flows of my life, which makes it much easier to not get stuck in the low moments.

While I still face challenges and anxieties, I now have the tools to reframe them and the patience (with myself) to ride through the lows and come out the other side reinvigorated and ready to go.

I have tried lots of other techniques over the years and took something from each. Part of the magic of the Ascent program is that it not only taught me new approaches/perspectives, but helped me to incorporate all of those practices in a more cohesive and coherent way. Overall, this program has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth and I highly recommend it for anybody that is burned out, is ready for a real change and is willing to put in the work.

Ascent Empowerment has truly changed my life! Taking the leap and reaching out to Chris was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The group of men I’ve met through this journey has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. They challenge me, support me, and inspire me to show up as the best version of myself—not just for me, but for the people around me. I’m a better person because of this experience, and I’m grateful every day for the impact it’s had on my life.

The work I have done with Ascent has unlocked the life-altering potential I had stuck inside me. A year ago, I was feeling completely overwhelmed with work and struggling to find time for family and friends. I often found myself paralyzed with worry, unable to take action, and falling further behind. Ascent helped me let go of my self-criticism and replace my negative beliefs with empowered ones. Today, I'm thriving, working toward the goals I had previously given up on with a new energy. My relationships are stronger, and I feel less worry day-to-day.

I have struggled with anxiety and not ever feeling like I am doing enough. This struggle has led me to overwork in my career as an entrepreneur which then led me to being more distant with my wife and kids. I am an outdoorsy person and the group of coaches and community in the Ascent Empowerment program really appealed to me in a variety of ways and I chose to join them over two years ago. Since my time with them, I gladly spend the time I want with my family and have learned to let go of the guilt and fear of not being successful in my work. I have learned to say no to things that really don't matter and have continued to grow in my work success, I have a much calmer mind and now have a family that I spend a lot more time with and we have a stronger relationship. I also take every Friday off now and make time for the things that are most important to me, i.e. family, spirituality and physical and mental health.

I came in to this program looking to boost my career and land a bigger better job. The growth work pivoted to my relationship with my daughter and opened a whole new world of connection and bonding with her. I got to see what it is I really want from this life and what I need to focus on to make it happen. The coaching is outstanding. Every time I had any doubts or concerns Chris or Stephen would have a call with me and uncover the source of my doubt and show me the solution that was in myself. That kind of discovery is not easy to find at any price. The fact they understand the outdoor/action sports world and what drives the men who do that really makes a huge difference. They can speak your language and show you that what you do in the backcountry can be directly harnessed to work in the rest of your life. Really an amazing experience and well worth the cost.

I was a mess, a functional train wreck if a train wreck is even functional? Drinking too much to escape, overweight by 30+ pounds, relationship problems, and worst of all wracked with internal chaos, overwhelm, hopelessness, anxiety, and scared to return to my chosen field of work.

I left hospital nursing due to anxiety attacks, feeling suffocated under the pressure. I took a leave of absence and during this time found Ascent Empowerment and took a leap of faith and never looked back. Chris and Stephen, have been so incredibly attentive, caring, and insightful. I wanted to reclaim my sense of vitality in all areas, and after ten weeks I found my way back to connecting in with what is awesome about my job. I had lost 25 pounds reclaiming my sense of vitality! My partner jumped on board with reclaiming vitality and also lost 25 pounds! I’ve cut back on alcohol 90%, and it is no longer such a seductive habit. I’m sleeping better.

And best of all I am feeling again like the guy my partner fell in love with! Feeling gratitude for my past struggles may sound strange, but there is a new found conviction that has been born within me, knowing that I can handle whatever life throws my way, and all these challenges in the end were for my greater good. There is a joy and a refreshing lightness in my spirit from the fire of my youth that I am getting to re-welcome back home. My best advice is if you have doubts, ask if you have felt enough is enough? I was so fed up with where I was not going. If that’s you, then invest in you, dive right in, get passionate about your growth, and get excited to rediscover your possibilities. Best investment ever into me and my family!

Before Ascent, I had been feeling meh and overwhelmed about work and life for about 10 years. I had a good tech job but was so worn out by it that I wanted to quit and just do landscaping and live a more simple life outside. Since Ascent though, I am able to find joy in my work, even though it is still challenging, and best of all I don't feel overwhelmed and worn out in my life anymore really, so I am working better AND just enjoying my life more. Enjoying life more is the best feeling and I feel more creative, more fun, and my relationship has improved a lot as well. It's honestly hard to believe how much it has helped!

I am beyond thankful I met Chris and joined Ascent Empowerment. The results exceeded all expectations. I went from stress literally sending me to the ER, my doctor telling me it might kill me, and this fading just wanting to survive feeling to the complete opposite. Now I radiate positivity, I wake up excited for the day ahead, I’m back to crushing it at work, I’m back to crushing it at home. What I learned and the work I put in through Ascent Empowerment stopped my spiral, got me back to my best self, and then even leveled me up from there. If Chris thinks he can help you and you are ready to learn and put in the work, don’t even hesitate, sign up and do it.

When I came to Ascent I was blocked, small and burnt out. I knew what I wanted out of life, but felt like I had tried everything, nothing was working and had resigned myself to thinking that maybe something bigger just wasn’t in the cards for me. However, I still remembered who I used to be, especially when I was in the outdoors and held out hope I could somehow rekindle it. Cue the day that the Ascent Empowerment program hit my feed. I have been a frequent flyer with self-help books, podcasts and programs. From our first exercise with Chris I knew this experience was going to be different. For the first time, I had faith that if I simply followed the program I would see the results I wanted in my life. So far, so good. Results so far:

A completely renewed relationship and appreciation for my wife
Deeper connection and joy with my kids
Confidence at work that I haven’t felt or been able to display in decades - maybe ever.
The confidence to bet on myself and launch into a new job and career challenge. It is something I have wanted to do for a long time, but finally was able to get past the hesitancy and dive in with excitement.
I even slayed a double-black mountain bike trail last weekend that ate my lunch last summer.

Fear, self doubt, hesitancy and overthinking used to be in the lead. Now I am learning to install a new operating system and am looking at my future with an excitement and passion that I have not felt in a long time.

The butterflies at the top of that double-black turned from fear and anxiety to joy and possibility. The negative emotions are still there, but the Ascent Empowerment program has helped me detach on a path that I couldn’t have even conceived of or thought possible a few short weeks ago.

This program was exactly what I needed when I needed it. When I started the AE program, I was incredibly low, and the negative beliefs I was maintaining were affecting my entire life. I had become detached from what was important to me in life (friends, family, personal connections, and enjoying this beautiful planet), felt stuck in my position at work, and completely burnt out. After trying the same thing for years, I had convinced myself there was nothing I could do about it. I needed a coach to try something new.
Chris and Stephen’s coaching through the empowerment program was the “something new” I needed and broke me out of the spiral I had put myself in. The insight they provided at exactly the right moments was priceless. The personal discoveries over the course flipped my mindset and broke me out of my beliefs driving fear and self-doubt. It helped me rediscover the confidence I lost somewhere along the way, realize what is truly possible and embrace the powerhouse that is me!

I didn't quite understand how bad my state of unliving was until I started the Creating an Empowered Life program. Everything indicated that I "should" be on top of the world...great career, amazing family, lots of "friends", material possessions...but in reality, I was really struggling. When my hobbies were dormant and the music stopped, I was burnt out, unmotivated, lethargic, quick tempered, and utilizing my phone or the television to distract these realities each night in attempting to fall asleep. Fast forward as I am approaching completion, I can honestly say that I've only fallen asleep watching television 2 times in the past 2.5 months. And both mornings afterwards, I've woken up without judgement but in the mindset of acknowledgement and hyperawareness of how I feel mentally, physically, and emotionally. This presence creates a lasting motivation and energy to continue down the paths that I know will best serve me and the ones that I love around me. While this was my primary objective in joining the program, had I known all of the other "wins" I would find along the way, I would've probably paid more! But I am not here to say that everything is perfect and that all my problems are fixed because Chris can hire actors to say that. I am living proof that downturns will still happen and yucky feelings do creep back in, I just know that I don't have to stay there for extended periods of time and that I have the tools to get me back to feeling awesome again. Make the investment in yourself and take your life to it's full potential...the guidance is profound, the progression is well designed, the network is invaluable...you don't have to do it on your own!!

If you are reading this, it means that you are researching Ascent Empowerment, which also means that you are probably looking to make some changes in your life. GOOD FOR YOU! The purpose of this review is to provide some “data points” on the program so that you can make an informed decision.

First off, the Creating an Empowered Life program is real. Chris and Steve are real, and the results are real. In my experience, Chris and Steve are 100% sincere in their desire to help men get the most out of life. 



Creating an Empowered Life is a web-based, 10-week program and that is pretty much self-paced. If you fall behind nobody gives you a hard time, but it’s important to keep up as best you can. It’s like a physical fitness program; the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

To do it right, you can probably expect to spend 3-5 hours per week on the work.

 The consistent practice throughout the program is daily journaling of “wins” from the previous day along with weekly assignments.

Most of the assignments consist of a video or reading on the concept(s) for the week, followed by a video of Chris doing a one-on-one coaching session with someone else to illustrate the concept(s) in the context of the program. After watching the videos, you will have specific tasks or practices to execute in pursuit of the growth concept. At the end of each week, you turn in your work along with a reflection of what it was like (difficulties, emotional responses, etc.) to complete the work. After a day or two, Chris sends recorded message via email with his assessment and feedback. 



There is relatively little personal coaching scheduled into the 10 weeks. To use the fitness analogy, it is like the difference between taking group class and working with a personal trainer; the coaches (Chris and Steve) are available to provide encouragement and answer questions, but the workout is the same for everyone.

All participants in the program are encouraged to join a weekly, one hour Zoom call. There is also a private Facebook group for sharing and discussions.



The cost of the program is not insignificant (at least for me). I think it is important to understand this from the start, because the Breakthrough Call is also a sales call, and Chris is a hard-closer. If you have a spouse or partner that you share finances with, my recommendation would be to speak with them about the potential investment before your Breakthrough Call, and be prepared to make your decision when you take the call.



In retrospect, Creating an Empowered Life was a positive experience for me. The one thing I learned for certain is that the change I was seeking was already inside me. The program helped me tap into a new awareness of being. I have since begun a mindfulnesses meditation practice, which is something I probably would have scoffed at before working with Chris and Steve. I still have the same struggles, but they no longer hold the same power over my emotions. As you will learn early in the 10 weeks, “suffering is optional.”

I hope this review was helpful. Best of luck in your journey!

Can Chris really help? Absolutely!

15 years ago, my life blew up concurrent with a fantastic motorcycle accident. My world collapsed. My body was broken, health imploded, unexpected divorce, oppressive job demands, suddenly a single Dad, and increasing demands of geriatric parents conscripted over a decade of pure survival.

After 15 years of several false-starts and minimal successes, survival-mode made it difficult to reconnect with the confident, smart, swaggering, risk-taking man of my youth. Chris and team led me through an extraordinary journey that brought me closer to restoration in 10 weeks than I had come in the last 15 years. The shift in mindset is my new launchpad to carry me into a world-class finish. Thanks, Chris and Team!

The Ascent Empowerment program has had a profound impact on my life - more than I ever imagined possible. I joined the program because, after 39 years of marriage, I was stuck in some unhealthy dynamics and generally stuck in my emotional life. Now, my marriage is the best it has ever been and professionally I am enjoying my work more than ever. I feel like I am just beginning to live an empowered life and taste emotional freedom.

Prior to Ascent Empowerment, I tried everything to support my “life-long self-improvement project.” I tried workshops, courses, therapy, seminars, retreats, youtube videos, couples counseling, the latest self-help books, support groups, and the list goes on. Before joining, I thought, “How is this program different from everything else I have tried with minimal results?” “Will this just be another thing I try with high hopes, only to be disappointed?” Though each of these has its own merit, nothing led to the breakthroughs I experienced with Ascent Empowerment.

The lessons and growth work are all based on neuroscience and research so there is nothing new. However, what is new and the genius of the program is the way the lessons and daily growth work are presented so that they can be practically applied to my life. I found that I couldn’t break disempowering patterns that I couldn’t see. The Ascent Empowerment Program helped me see those patterns and gave me the tools to adopt new empowering alternatives. I also had an epiphany that I didn’t have to “improve” and that I am enough! Like a sculpture buried in a block of stone, I just had to uncover what was already there.

After 30 years of teaching, I returned to school this year for the first time with a sense of calm, and joyful anticipation. I even found that I was belly breathing instead of holding tension. My wife and I feel renewed in our marriage. We have a deeper sense of love for and understanding of each other. For the first time, I am connecting with others more and worrying less about what they think of me. Thanks to Ascent Empowerment, in many ways I feel as though I am just beginning to live life and realize the abundance of joy it offers.

Working with Chris and Stephen has helped unlock the potential that was always within me. It has helped grow my confidence and silence my inner critic. In the last 6 months, I have experienced major personal and professional changes. I can definitively say that I would not be embracing the new path I find myself on without their help and guidance.

I'd like to give a better review, but was disappointed after my conversation with Chris last week.

Chris seems like a nice guy and I'm sure his program has helped some people, but my consultation call was disappointing.

In the last portion of the call, pretty high pressure sales tactics were used. Not a deal breaker right there, but I think we differ in opinion on how this kind of program should be presented and sold.

What bothered me is that when I told Chris I don't make significant financial decisions like this without speaking with my wife, his response was to try to convince me that this was my decision and not my wife's, so I could make a decision right there without speaking with her. It could be that we have different opinions of what is ethical in convincing someone to make a decision, but that was a deal breaker for me.

Selling a program you're passionate about like this is a challenging task, and I really hope Chris is able to help a lot of people, but disagree with the tactics used in the consultation. I wish Chris and any of his clients the best and do hope that people are transformed with the program.

I started my journey with Chris in early 2022, when I felt like I was in a deep rut both in my career and personal life. Over the 10-week program, I learned so much about myself, what has been holding me back, and tools for becoming my true authentic self. Chris and Stephen really know how to ask the right questions on the one-on-one calls, and there is always a great group of men in the weekly group calls. There is such a diverse background among the men involved but we are all very much connected through this program. While my journey has only begun with the knowledge I have learned from Chris and Stephen, I hope to continue on this path in the future. I would also highly recommend attending the retreats they host. Being out in nature with a great group of guys working through their issues is extremely powerful and I will never forget that weekend.