The Trade is entertaining, uplifting wisdom.

This is a captivatingly genuine story about the choices one person made, and the fundamental difference they made for he and those who love him. 

Lon Stroschein’s journey is uniquely his own, but every reader will see parts of their own lives in his. 

The Trade is a must-read for anyone facing transition. 

Stan McChrystal, General, US Army (Retired) CEO & Founder, McChrystal Group Author of Team of Teams, Leaders: Myth and Reality, and Risk

The Trade pulled me in and made everything else secondary (except for kissing my kids goodnight). This writing strikes a perfect balance between dreaming, thinking, and feeling. Each topic is explored in enough detail to resonate while keeping the energy focused forward. 

There is something about "Normal 40" that is exceptionally well-directed, real, and impactful. Thank you for having the courage to have courageous conversations.

I not only endorse 'The Trade' - I wrote the foreword! 

 

You may wonder: “Am I too late? Did I miss my chance? Is this only possible for men in their 20s?” 

 

These questions find me every day, often from men like you. 

 

I used to think I was the only one who would wrestle with these questions. I soon came to discover that these thoughts are nearly universal. When you discover that you are not invincible, and there is no permanent security, you remember that freedom was always your pursuit. 

 

This is what drew me to Lon’s message of inspiring people to be intentional about their second-half story. It requires us to make trades that other people are unwilling to make. 

I met Lon when he joined one of our mentoring communities at Capitalism.com. I met him by accident, or maybe by fate; I just happened to walk into the room when he was on a video call with a member of my team. He explained his vision for Normal 40 and his desire to help men navigate the difficulty of making The Trade after their first chapter. He told me how difficult it is for established men to trade who they have become for a chance to do what they are called to do next. 

I was hooked. I believe that is a mission worth fighting for, and this is why I am not only endorsing The Trade, but have also written the foreword.

You need to own this book, create a plan and then make The Trade.

Rooting for you,

Ryan -

Lon Stroschein and his book “The Trade” punched me in the gut about 8 times, and in this case, that’s a really great thing. This book has given me the words to express the things I’ve been trying to work out inside my head.

Lon describes what I’ve always thought of as the “golden handcuffs” even more accurately as The Box; the box with the walls, floor, and ceiling – AKA the money, time, image, reputation, security, family expectations, and perceived irresponsibility of walking away – holding me in a place of “safety” where I don’t actually want to be.

Lon and “The Trade” have given me the courage to take a chance on myself and trade a place of security in the military to a much less secure place in the nonprofit sector while giving my family a happier, more fulfilled, and most importantly, more present wife and mother. 

If you are in a place in your life and career where you are wondering, “Shouldn’t I feel better about what I’m doing with my life” and then feeling guilty for considering changes that you think would take away from what you’ve promised your family you would provide, you need this book. But be warned; there are gut punches ahead – gut punches you’ll realize you needed and will be glad to have taken.

Do yourself a favor; read this book.

Wendy - 

When the Surgeon General tells the country that we've got a new epidemic on our hands called "loneliness," it seems to me that what we need more than anything right now is: CONNECTION. "The Trade" is an opportunity to journey alongside a man who is mastering the art of connection by first connecting with himself. 

Along the way, Lon unmasks the loneliness that is the BIG LIE -- the lie that says we are alone in our deep, felt sense that there has to be more to this life than what we adopted as true during our "first half." The result is CONNECTION.

We see ourselves in Lon's journey, and that makes our fears and our dreams manageable. Rather than resist, subvert, or otherwise bury these things, Lon has given us permission to connect with - and grow from - that deepest part of us that is longing for something more. Because he really is just a regular DUDE who decided to do the very unregular thing of asking aloud what many (most?) of us have only dared to ask inside, we are granted permission to do the same. What a gift! (Why not give it as one?) :)

Wow! The Trade is for anyone with that gnawing feeling inside that many of us feel. That, 'What am I doing? Is this all there is? Am I settling; because it's easy?' feeling.

The trade is written by someone who has been there. The trade is written in a manner that feels like a deep conversation with an old friend. It made me think about things I didn't want to think about. Answer questions I didn't want to answer. Have the internal conversation I haven't wanted to have. 

The stories Lon tells about himself, his family, and his clients are personal, raw and moving. I found something in nearly every story that applied to me. If you are in a place, wondering whether you need more? Are you capable of more? Deserve more? Spend a few hours reading this book. The Trade may change the rest of your life.