Men Talk About Feelings: What King Arthur Taught Me About Emotional Strength
- Bruce Schutter
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 11
Yesterday, I had the most bizarre experience—one that still has me chuckling today. I was pulling into the park, minding my own business, when I noticed something… off.
In the spot next to me wasn’t a car—but a horse.
And not just any horse. This one was decked out in full medieval battle gear.
I blinked. Twice. Thought maybe the summer heat was playing tricks on me. But no. There he was—adjusting his armor like it was just another Tuesday—King Arthur.
Yes, that King Arthur!
Once I got over the initial shock (and reminded myself it was still 2025), I figured: why not? You don’t pass up a chance to chat with a legendary king.
Especially one who noticed my Mental Health Warrior T-shirt and immediately raised an eyebrow. Being a true warrior, Arthur was intrigued. “So,” he said, nodding toward my shirt, “what’s this Mental Health Warrior thing?”
The Warrior Program
I explained to him that for 20 years I struggled with Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. This left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in that dark time, I discovered something life-changing: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge in life.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a bold SELF-HELP approach—designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life they really want!
And from my book I Triumphed over Bipolar, Alcoholism, and Anxiety Disorder by Becoming a Mental Health Warrior, one principle stands out as a daily guide:
Warrior Principle 6: “Talking about your emotions is one of the most powerful weapons to strengthen your mental health.”
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, clearly understanding that when men talk about their emotions, it’s not weakness—it’s strength.
King Arthur on Power of Talking
“I know well the power of managing emotions—in both battle and leadership,” Arthur said. “In my many adventures, it was my willingness to speak about my emotions and harness their strength that led to true success.”
“But as a guy—and a king—it’s not always easy to share emotions,” he admitted. “There’s a fine line between worrying about appearing weak… and staying true to yourself.”
I nodded. I could relate. As a man—especially one who’s been through a lot—it’s hard to open up without fearing you’ll be seen as weak.
Then Arthur smiled. “When I saw how powerful it was to talk about my emotions—how much it helped me in both life and battle—I made the choice to speak openly and I never looked back.”
I was completely in agreement—and honestly, a little stunned. Here was King Arthur, living proof that emotional strength and leadership don’t cancel each other out.
Then, with the calm authority of someone who’d truly lived it, he shared three moments from his journey—each one showing how he balanced strength with emotional honesty.
Example 1: Open Talk Strengthens Connections
"The quest for the Holy Grail was no small feat. It wasn’t just the physical trials—it was the emotional toll that wore us down. Many of my knights grew discouraged, fearing they would never succeed.
I knew I had to be strong for them—but I also needed to be honest with myself.
So, I gathered them around the Round Table and shared my own doubts. I admitted I, too, feared failure. But I told them those fears only fueled my determination.
By being open about my emotions, I strengthened our bond and reignited our resolve."
Our Turn:
In my own struggles, I’ve often felt like I had to put on a brave face—even when I was falling apart inside.
But when I started sharing my fears and doubts with people I trust, something shifted. I didn’t just lighten my emotional load—I deepened the connection.
Because letting others in, showing them that even warriors have moments of doubt—that’s how support grows and strength multiplies.
Example 2: Acknowledgement Keeps Us in Control
"The Battle of Camlann was one of the toughest fights I ever faced. There were moments when the odds seemed impossible, and I could see fear in the eyes of my knights.
Instead of hiding my concern, I spoke openly about the gravity of the situation. I told them it was okay to be afraid—but we couldn’t let fear control us.
By acknowledging our emotions, we were able to channel that energy into focus, strength, and unity. And that made us stronger!"
Our Turn:
This hit home for me. When I’m in the thick of depression or anxiety, fear can feel like it’s running the show.
But like Arthur, I’ve learned that acknowledging fear—rather than stuffing it down—is what gives me back the power to face it.
These days, I see my emotions as tools. Not weaknesses. Not enemies. But powerful allies I can harness for strength—when I have the courage to face them.
Example 3: Honesty and Self Forgiveness
"When I discovered Lancelot’s betrayal, it felt like a dagger to the heart. My first instinct was to react with anger—to cast him out, forever.
But I took a moment to reflect. I sat with the pain, the hurt, the betrayal. And in doing so, I realized something important: anger wasn’t the answer.
By being honest about what I was feeling, I found a path to forgiveness. Not just for him—but for me!
That decision didn’t come from weakness. It came from strength. And it led to a better outcome—not just for me, but for everyone."
Our Turn:
Forgiveness has always been a challenge for me—especially when it comes to forgiving myself.
Whether it’s facing my past mistakes or dealing with people who’ve let me down, my instinct is often to shut down or lash out.
Arthur’s story reminded me that feeling hurt doesn’t make you weak—and that reacting impulsively usually makes things worse.
But when I slow down and process my emotions instead of pushing them away, I can make better decisions. Wiser ones.
It’s the power of open conversations about emotions that’s helped me rebuild relationships strained by mental health struggles—and forgive myself for the things I simply didn’t know how to handle back then.
Real Strength of a Warrior—Emotional Honesty
As our conversation came to a close, Arthur mounted his horse, adjusting his armor with the ease of someone who’s done this a few thousand times. He mentioned something about Merlin and some ridiculous scheme that needed his attention—then rode off into the afternoon sun like the legend he is.
I stood there for a moment, feeling a renewed sense of strength. It was a powerful reminder: Sharing your emotions doesn’t make you weak—it makes you stronger!
With that, I headed home—ready to face whatever life has waiting for me. Because if King Arthur can talk about his feelings and still be remembered as one of the greatest warriors of all time… then so can I—and so can you!
Here’s to men embracing our emotions, sharing them honestly and using them as fuel to live strong, grounded, Warrior lives.
Bruce Schutter
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