Modern Day Knights Program
What happened during the Modern Day Knights program in June 2020 and how was it resolved?
In June 2020, a tragic incident occurred when a participant died during a Modern Day Knights session. The family sued for wrongful death, alleging that the program failed to provide necessary medical care when needed. The parties eventually reached a settlement a few years after the incident. In a follow-up interview with NBC News, Eckert (presumably a program representative) declined to discuss details about the tragedy, citing privacy concerns and respect for the unfortunate situation. Despite acknowledging the settlement, Eckert maintained that there was no liability on the part of the program regarding the participant's death.
Watch clip answer (00:21m)
NBC News
01:10 - 01:31
How does the Modern Day Knights program help men become better in their personal roles?
The Modern Day Knights program helps men by creating experiences that require them to confront their fears and past traumas head-on. As instructor Steve Eckert explains, the program directly addresses how participants can become better fathers, partners, and men through challenging experiences that foster personal growth. Michael Chernow emphasizes this transformation through his metaphor of 'walking through the fire,' suggesting that sometimes people need to experience difficulty to discover their own resilience. The program's philosophy centers on the idea that facing suffering rather than avoiding it is essential for developing the strength needed to fulfill important roles in life.
Watch clip answer (00:20m)NBC News
03:23 - 03:43
How does suffering impact men according to the Modern Day Knights program?
According to Program Instructor Steve Eckert, suffering is a transformative catalyst for men who have lost their edge and become stuck in life's routines. When men experience suffering, it unlocks what he describes as 'superpowers' - essential qualities and strengths that may have become dormant or underdeveloped. The program recognizes that many men have 'lost that fire' and need challenging experiences to rediscover their purpose and vitality. This philosophy forms the foundation of their approach, suggesting that controlled adversity is necessary for men to break free from stagnation and reclaim their sense of drive and power.
Watch clip answer (00:06m)NBC News
00:31 - 00:37
What is the Modern Day Knights program teaching men about masculinity?
The Modern Day Knights program teaches men to be 'civilized savage servants.' This philosophy balances strength with civility, encouraging men to maintain traditional masculine traits while integrating respectful social behavior. Program instructor Steve Eckert emphasizes that civilized men open doors and use courteous language like 'please' and 'thank you,' while still embracing their inner strength and resilience. The three-day boot camp combines physical challenges with emotional growth opportunities, helping participants develop a balanced approach to modern masculinity that honors both power and politeness.
Watch clip answer (00:09m)NBC News
01:31 - 01:41
What is the Modern Day Knights project and what does it offer?
The Modern Day Knights project is a high-intensity boot camp for men seeking personal development, offered once or twice a year at a cost of $18,000 for a three-day program. The rigorous experience includes hand-to-hand combat, water hosing, and crawling across railroad tracks as part of its challenging physical regimen. The program promises transformational outcomes for participants, claiming they will become better friends, fathers, and leaders through this intensive experience. This boot camp represents a specialized approach to masculinity and personal growth through physical and mental challenges.
Watch clip answer (00:30m)NBC News
00:00 - 00:30
How did going through the Modern-Day Knights program help Michael Chernow address his long-standing trauma?
The Modern-Day Knights program helped Michael Chernow bring to light deep trust issues that he had been carrying. Through rigorous activities designed to create vulnerability, participants engage in physically and emotionally demanding exercises, including lying in self-dug graves within body bags as a symbolic practice for personal growth. The program requires participants to experience a physical breakdown as part of the healing process, deliberately pushing them to their limits. This intensive approach allowed Chernow to confront and begin addressing years of accumulated trauma, creating space for transformation and healing through structured, challenging experiences.
Watch clip answer (00:22m)NBC News
02:40 - 03:02