Morning—Clay here.
At Campfire Gentleman, we talk a lot about growth—becoming the kind of man your family can count on and your future self will respect.

But growth doesn’t always come from a big breakthrough or a formal mentor with a 5-step plan.

Sometimes, it comes from watching another man quietly do life well.
Or reading a book that flips a switch in your thinking.

This week, we’re talking about mentorship—not the Instagram version, but the real kind.
The kind that comes from curiosity, connection, and being willing to learn from the men around you.

Let’s go!

Do You Really Need a Mentor?

I was on a podcast the other day, and the host asked me a question that stumped me—at least for a little bit:
“Do you think every man needs a mentor?”

I paused. I rambled a little. Then I finally landed here:

Maybe you do, but not always.

I think a lot of guys get stuck thinking they need the perfect coach or mentor to show them the exact, foolproof way forward. It’s like they can’t start working on themselves, their marriage, or their mindset until they find this wise, older man with a few books under his belt and a lot of social media clout.

But here’s what I’ve realized:

I’ve got an entire reading list on the Campfire Gentleman website. Those books? Those authors? They’ve shaped my thinking in big ways.

✅ Steven Pressfield
✅ Gary Chapman
✅ Ryan Holiday
✅ Cal Newport
✅ Greg Scheinman
✅ Dan Buettner…

Each one of them has challenged me to live with more intention.

And honestly, sometimes mentorship just means finding someone a couple steps ahead of you. Watching how they live. Listening to what they’re learning. You don’t have to follow anyone’s full blueprint. Just take what works, leave what doesn’t, and make it your own.

You might not need a mentor in the traditional sense.
But you do need other men in your life—men you respect, men who stretch you, and men you can walk beside.

So that begs the question:
Do you need me?

I’m not bold enough to call myself anyone’s mentor. But maybe these weekly reflections can walk beside you and help you think through what matters, where you're going, and how you're showing up.

And if you ever feel like you need something more direct—someone to process things with one-on-one—check out Campfire Sessions. That’s where the conversation gets personal.

Keep the fires burning,
Clay

If you’ve missed any of my podcast appearances and you’re curious how many times one man can say “and so…” in under 30 minutes, check out the playlist below. 👇

It’s all there on YouTube. Awkward pauses, rambling insights, and a few decent takeaways, too.

Worth Your Time

If you’re digging Campfire Gentleman, check out a few other newsletters I actually read and recommend. No fluff—just solid stuff from like-minded guys trying to build something that matters.