Mental Health
What is the philosophy behind the Modern Day Knights program?
The Modern Day Knights program operates on the principle that personal growth comes through confronting discomfort and suffering. As entrepreneur Michael Chernow explains, "Some people have to walk through the fire to know that a burn is not going to kill you." This three-day boot camp emphasizes that meaningful transformation occurs when men face their fears directly rather than avoiding them. The program's philosophy combines physical challenges with emotional vulnerability, teaching participants that actions speak louder than words. By embracing difficult experiences, men learn resilience and develop stronger emotional foundations that help them build better relationships and redefine modern masculinity.
Watch clip answer (00:10m)
NBC News
03:33 - 03:43
What is the purpose and structure of the modern day Knights program?
The Knights program is designed with a deeper purpose beyond just suffering. It begins with a chaotic and intense phase where participants engage in physical confrontation, but quickly transitions to emotional connection where men are hugging and crying together. This intentional journey from chaos to vulnerability helps participants process past trauma and abuse. According to Instructor Steve Eckert, many attendees share common backgrounds of abuse and are searching for direction in their lives. The program creates a transformative environment where men can confront their past, redefine their understanding of masculinity, and develop deeper connections with others, ultimately becoming better leaders, fathers, and friends.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)NBC News
00:38 - 01:00
What is Michael Chernow's approach to personal growth and how does it relate to his past trauma?
Michael Chernow embraces a warrior mindset, intentionally running toward difficult challenges as opportunities for growth. When facing hard situations, he finds himself in a vulnerable state that allows for deeper introspection and personal development. This approach is partly rooted in his history of having a violent, abusive relationship with his father, which motivated him to seek father figures elsewhere. Despite his successful life as a businessman with a decades-long marriage and two children, Chernow participated in the Modern Day Knights program in 2022 as a physical challenge to address unresolved trauma and continue his journey of personal transformation.
Watch clip answer (00:41m)NBC News
01:54 - 02:35
What is the mental health impact of the Gaza conflict on orphaned children?
The Gaza conflict has left more than 30,000 children orphaned, including 4,700 who have lost both parents and are the only survivors of their families. After witnessing violence and experiencing profound loss, these children are suffering from severe psychological trauma including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Mental health experts warn that this suffering is likely to develop into more serious ailments and disorders without urgent intervention. All children in Gaza are experiencing significant psychological distress, with orphans being particularly vulnerable as they navigate trauma without parental support, highlighting the critical need for specialized mental health services in a region where healthcare infrastructure has been severely compromised.
Watch clip answer (00:38m)
Al Jazeera English
00:22 - 01:00
What is the current situation for children displaced by conflict in Gaza?
In Gaza, approximately one million people are displaced, with half being children who have been severely impacted by Israeli bombardments. During evacuations, many families became separated in the chaos, leaving children stranded or in damaged shelters without guardians. These children have become a traumatized generation, stripped of basic safety and security. The displaced children live in constant fear that their situation may worsen if the current fragile ceasefire collapses. They represent a particularly vulnerable population within the broader humanitarian crisis, facing not only the physical dangers of conflict but also profound psychological trauma from their experiences.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)Al Jazeera English
02:25 - 02:46
What happened to 9-year-old Ramas during the Israeli airstrike in Gaza?
Nine-year-old Ramas survived an Israeli airstrike that targeted her home in Al Zaytun neighborhood in southern Gaza, killing her parents, sister, and two brothers. She suffered burns and injuries from the first missile, while the second missile claimed the lives of all her family members. Remarkably, Ramas survived six days unconscious under debris following the attack. Ramas was found alive after the devastating strike that left her as the only survivor from her immediate family. Her aunt is now her only remaining relative. This heartbreaking story represents just one of thousands of children orphaned by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, highlighting the severe human toll of the violence.
Watch clip answer (00:40m)Al Jazeera English
01:17 - 01:57