Trauma
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
How did going through the Modern Day Knights program help Michael Chernow address his childhood traumas?
Michael Chernow explains that the program helped bring to light some of his deep-seated trust issues stemming from his traumatic upbringing. Having experienced a very violent and abusive relationship with his father, Chernow was motivated to look elsewhere for father figures, which unfortunately led to another abusive relationship with a mentor. The Modern Day Knights program, designed to address trauma and promote healthy masculinity, provided Chernow with a space to confront these painful experiences. Through intense activities and male bonding, he began recognizing how these early traumas had shaped his ability to trust others, marking an important step in his healing journey.
Watch clip answer (00:23m)
NBC News
02:27 - 02:50
How does the Modern Day Knights (MDK) program compare to traditional therapy?
According to therapist Dr. George James, programs like MDK offer benefits for men's personal growth, but they should not be considered a replacement for actual therapeutic treatment. While the program creates challenging experiences similar to ultra marathons or tough mudder races that may promote personal transformation, these intense boot camp-style approaches have limitations. The program provides physical and emotional challenges that might help participants process trauma, but mental health professionals have mixed reviews on such extreme approaches to healing and redefining masculinity.
Watch clip answer (00:13m)NBC News
03:09 - 03:23
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