Forge of Renewal 2:
A One-Day Transformational Workshop
For Men
BREAKING THE VINES
THE WEIGHT WE CARRY & THE ARMOR WE WEAR
As men, we carry unseen weight.
Responsibility. Pressure. Losses. Betrayals.
The unspoken burdens that grind us down.
We push through, armor up, and keep moving.
But over time, that armor hardens, isolates, and cuts us
off from the strength of our own truth. This workshop is about beginning to chisel off that armor.
This is not for the floaty, unicorn realm.
This is for the men who stand rooted, with grit—men who are ready to start the dark parts work
before the vines tighten their grip.
Come with discipline.
Honor the intention of the workshop.
Follow the directions fiercely—no time is wasted.
We line up, and we bring it.
This is about releasing.
It’s about shedding.
This is about lightening the load that’s been slowing you down.
THIS IS MEN'S WORK!
...INITIATION.
🔨 You become your own tool.
🛡 You learn new skills: Shielding, Centering, Softening.
⚔ You learn how to let another man see you. It’s okay,
we are all de-armoring together.
The Workshop: Part 2
At Forge of Renewal 1, we focused on identifying the feelings we carry.
Now, in Forge of Renewal 2, we move from identification to impact—tracing the vines back a little and understanding how they’ve shaped your life.
🔹 The BRAFO Sequence– A structured process to work through emotions and blockages.
Betrayal, Resentments, Accomplishments, Failure, Openness
🔹 The Armor Shedding Cascade– A physical and mental practice for de-armoring
The Cascade:
Journaling – Deep releasing through structured writing prompts
Paired Sharing – With discipline, precision, and intention
Martial Arts Drills & Physical Challenges – Warrior music fueling the movement and integration of the work
We work with "The Crust"—the first level of deeper work:
🔥 Level 1: The Work We Do Here
🔥 Level 2: Coaching
🔥 Level 3: Therapy
PREP WORK:
3-Week Conditioning Focus
Before stepping into the Forge, you’ll go through a
3-week guided conditioning phase
to prepare:
🔥 Week 1:
Emotional Check-Ins
Getting honest about what’s beneath the surface
🔥Week 2:
Identifying Emotions
Giving language to what’s been unspoken
🔥 Week 3: Containing the Emotion
Placing it in metaphorical jars so you can work with it without being consumed by it
FINAL PREP: BRING ALL YOUR JARS WITH YOU
Each jar holds an emotion you have identified—
a weight you have been carrying, a piece of the armor you have built.
On the day of the workshop, you
bring them all with you.
Not to open them all at once.
Not to force anything.
But to face them with intention and release what no longer serves you.
This is not about learning how to carry your weight better.
This is about dropping the weight altogether.
We don’t teach skills here.
Skills can only be developed after you’ve lightened your load.
Enrollment Closes 4-Day Before The Event to Establish an Energetic Container,
Free from New Entries, to Honor the Intention of Our Work.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A Space for Grit and Growth - This is not therapy. The only time you will be asked to share in the whole group is during introductions and takeaways. This is men’s work, where you must know how to self-regulate and return to baseline if triggered.
Physical & Mental Integration – We do not separate the mind from the body. Expect movement, breath, and embodied practices that reinforce the internal work.
An Alliance of Men Who Do the Work – This is not about complaints or external blame. This is about owning your weight, cutting through the vines, and stepping forward with clarity and power.
WHY STEP INTO THE FORGE?
🔹 Brotherhood & Camaraderie
– Stand shoulder to shoulder with men who get it. This isn’t about small talk—it’s about real connection with those who are also doing the work.
🔹 Cut Through the Weight
– The burdens you carry don’t disappear on their own. This is your chance to
shed the armor and move forward with less drag and more clarity.
🔹 Challenge & Growth
– This is not therapy. This is about healthy pressure, discipline, and pushing through resistance
in a way that strengthens, not breaks you.
🔹 Reclaim Your Strength
– The real power isn’t in holding everything in —it’s in letting go of what no longer serves you
so you can walk forward lighter, stronger, and with purpose.
Details
When: April TBD
Time: (8:30 AM Doors Open) 9:00AM - 5:00 PM
Location: 950 Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood, Co. 80214.
Bring your lunch and snacks.
There is a hot & cold water machine there.
No fridge or microwave. Bring your Journal.
Cost: $195
Who: Men only, 21+ (Younger men aged 18+ may attend with a male guardian present)
Save Your Spot
By Filling Out The Form Below!
The Facilitator
Jay Kratz
Jay Kratz, brings over 25 years of experience in men’s work
and personal transformation. Jay has participated in programs such as
Landmark Education, MKP, Threshold Passages, and Colorado Youth at Risk, as well as founding the
Men of Honor boys group, mentoring young men toward strength and integrity.
Jay has completed a four-year vision quest commitment
and is nearing the completion of another spiritual path commitment focused on spiritual transformation. He has been engaged in Nino Maiani's M.A.P. Training for 9 years and has both participated in and assisted with his immersive workshops, Journey to Spirit.
A 20-year advanced massage therapist, Jay also taught at a Massage School in Denver and was a therapist for the Denver Broncos in 2018 & 2019.
He has developed a cutting-edge movement program that promotes bone density, joint healing, and pain relief.
See more here.
He is skilled in facilitation, leadership, and creating transformative spaces
, helping men & women reconnect with their power and potential.
TESTIMONIALS
"He’s a force of nature in the most grounded and compassionate way"
"Working with the man behind Forge of Renewal has been one of my greatest honors. His leadership is nothing short of remarkable — he carries a rare combination of unwavering strength, deep sincerity, and a grounded presence that immediately makes you feel seen, heard, and valued. What sets him apart is his ability to create a space where you feel both supported and challenged and does so with a level of care and authenticity that’s hard to find in this world. And maybe bigger than that is his knowledge comes from lived experience, from someone who has done the work himself. It’s not just theory; it’s wisdom in action. I trust him. His integrity is undeniable, and his vision for this program is something I deeply believe in. Forge of Renewal isn’t just another personal development program. It’s a call to rise, to step into the man you’ve always known you were capable of being — and he’s the leader who can help you get there. If you’re ready to shed the old layers, reclaim your strength, and truly renew yourself from the inside out, there’s no one better to guide you through that process. He’s a force of nature in the most grounded and compassionate way. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of his community and to experience the powerful change he’s bringing to this world."
- Daniel King
Daniel King Coaching
"Jay has potent tools, experience and abilities"
"Jay is outstanding when facilitating space in mens work. A wise man with a big heart that can empower you into very challenging situations.Jay has potent tools, experience and abilities to help you navigate matters of the heart, mind & soul from a very grounded place. Men's work isn’t always easy and having a guide such as Jay that can stay balanced between the masculine sharpness and strength as well as balancing out the more feminine qualities of the heart helping guide you to acquire emotional intelligence is key part of this process. I trust Jay fully in any group setting and I love being around his energy and wisdom."
- Dan Moreno
Bodysense
"He stands in the fire and swims in the waters"
“In all my years I’ve never met another man with such wonderfully varied leadership qualities as Jay. His unique range of depth, gentle presence, contemplation, potent inquiry, rooted wisdom and compassion are all palpable while around him. He stands in the fire and swims in the waters. I’m proud to say I’ve celebrated, shed tears and participated in various spiritual undertakings with him and am honored to have undergone years of men’s work in his presence. Without a single doubt, any man seeking to discover a greater version of themselves would be wise to seek his guidance. This man is medicine.”
- Kyle Castlberry
Sacred Geometry Course
The Agenda
8:30 AM
– Doors Open / Registration / Waivers
9:00-9:30 AM
– Main Intro, Agreements, Participants Intro
Edge #1
9:30-10:00 AM
– Martial Arts Partner Drill 1: Building Connection and Focus
Push Hands
10:00-10:15 AM
2024 Guided Armor Meditation
Edge #2
10:15-10:30 AM
– Introduction to the BRAFO Sequence & Warrior Release Process
Betrayal
10:30-10:40 AM – Betrayal Journal
10:40-11:00 AM – Betrayal – Paired Share
11:00-11:20 AM – Warrior Release – Martial Arts Solo Drill 2
Resentment
11:20-11:30 AM – Resentment Journal
11:30-11:50 AM – Resentment – Paired Share
11:50-12:10 PM – Warrior Release – Martial Arts Partner Drill 3
12:10-12:40 PM
– Lunch Break | 30 Min
12:40-12:50 Push hands
12:50 -1:00 PM
Reflection Journal
(Betrayal & Resentment)
Edge #3
Accomplishments
1:00 -1:10 PM – Accomplishments Journal
1:10 -1:30 PM – Accomplishments – Paired Share
1:30-1:50 PM – Warrior Release – Martial Arts Partner Drill 4
Failures
1:50-2:00 PM – Failure Journal
2:00-2:20 PM – Failures – 4-Person Group Work
2:20-2:40 PM – Warrior Release – Martial Arts Partner Drill 5
Openness/Joy
2:40-2:50 PM – Openness Journal
2:50-3:10 PM – Openness – 4-Person Group Work
3:10-3:30 PM – Warrior Release – Solo Martial Arts Drill 6
3:30-3:45 PM
– 15 Min Break
Edge #4
3:45-4:00 PM - Push Hands
4:00-4:10 PM
– Reflection Journal
(Accomplishments, Failure, Openness)
4:10-4:20
– Armor Release Meditation
Edge #5
4:20-4:30 PM
– What vines are you ready to cut? - Journal
4:30 - 5:00 PM
What Impacts are you walking away with?