Stop Trying to Prove You’re a Man — A Conversation with Kyle Tresch
What Does It Really Mean to Be a Man?
We live in a world that shouts at men to prove themselves — to flex, to conquer, to earn, to dominate. But what if manhood isn’t something you prove… but something you live out through humility, service, and integrity?
In this episode of Manlihood, Josh Hatcher sits down with Kyle Tresch — musician, entrepreneur, and co-founder (with his wife Ariel) of The CouplePreneurs Show. Together, they explore how faith, marriage, and business collide — and how easy it is for men to lose themselves trying to prove their worth.
Kyle says it plainly:
“The more you try to prove you’re a man, the less of a man you are.”
Podcast Episode: Manlihood with Josh Hatcher
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The Anti-Honeymoon: When Success and Ego Collide
Kyle and Ariel didn’t start out as relationship coaches — they started as two driven people building separate businesses under one roof.
He was scaling multimillion-dollar companies in digital marketing. She was coaching women entrepreneurs. But behind the highlight reel, their marriage was cracking under the pressure of ambition.
They called it the anti-honeymoon stage — that moment when love meets competition and control.
Like many men, Kyle thought “leading” meant “being in charge.”
He even asked his wife to be his assistant.
Her reaction? Let’s just say it didn’t end well.
That power struggle forced Kyle to face a hard truth: his definition of manhood was built on insecurity and performance — not faith and humility.
A Wake-Up Call in the Guest Room
One night, Kyle found himself kneeling in the guest room, praying out of desperation:
“God, I don’t want to sacrifice my marriage for my business… but I don’t want to lose my calling either.”
Scrolling social media after that prayer, he stumbled upon one of Ariel’s livestreams — and watched hundreds of women thanking her for helping them grow six-figure businesses without losing their families.
In that moment, everything changed.
Kyle realized that true leadership wasn’t about control — it was about empowerment.
Instead of asking his wife to dim her light, he decided to help her shine brighter. Together, they united their gifts and launched a new venture helping entrepreneur couples build businesses without growing apart.
Today, their coaching program serves couples all over the world.
From Validation to Identity
Even as his marriage healed, Kyle had to face deeper roots — the craving for validation that came from his past life as a touring musician.
On stage, he learned how to get applause.
Off stage, he struggled to feel worthy without it.
When that identity crumbled, God rebuilt it from the inside out.
Kyle discovered that real manhood isn’t found in applause, paychecks, or position.
It’s found in knowing who you are — a son of God, fully loved, fully accepted.
“When you lose everything you’ve built your identity on, you finally find out who you are.” — Kyle Tresch
Leadership Is Service, Not Control
In the episode, Josh and Kyle dig deep into how men misunderstand leadership.
Many Christian men cling to the verse “wives, submit to your husbands,” and use it like a badge of superiority. But both agree that’s a distortion of what Scripture actually means.
Josh puts it bluntly:
“Leadership is not lordship. You don’t just get to lead because of a title — you lead because you serve.”
True masculinity looks like Christ — humble, strong, protective, and self-sacrificing. It’s the kind of strength that lifts others higher instead of putting them in their place.
Lessons for Every Man
Here are a few takeaways from this conversation that every man needs to hear:
- Stop proving — start serving.
You don’t need to convince anyone you’re a man. Let your integrity do the talking. - Your wife is your partner, not your subordinate.
God gave her gifts that complement yours. Together, you’re stronger. - Humility isn’t weakness — it’s strength under control.
- Your identity doesn’t come from success.
You are already loved by God, before you ever perform or produce. - Serve like Jesus.
The greatest among you will be the servant of all.
More From Kyle Tresch
You can also find Kyle and Ariel’s work at:
🌐 Website
🎧 The CouplePreneurs Show on Apple Podcasts
🎧 The CouplePreneurs Show on Spotify
📸 Follow @kyleandariel on Instagram
Connect with Manlihood
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📕 Get Fight Like Hell: A Journal for Men Who Won’t Back Down
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