[Start Here] Welcome to Becoming Unobstructed

Weekly stories that reframe emotional intelligence to build mental wealth—from a former outdoor guide climbing through the tech world.

Hey, I’m Derek MacDonald. I’m a former outdoor guide climbing my way through the tech world.

Writing’s how I untangle mismatched priorities and obstacles in my own life. Sharing what I’ve learned with people helps me learn it better myself. And then it makes it accessible to others, too. I didn’t have that when I was first making sense of emotional intelligence and mental wealth. And I really wish I did.

So that’s this.

Now, Becoming Unobstructed is read across 34 US states and 32 countries.

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Turns out, launching software products and leading someone up a mountain aren’t that different. Both get easier when you stop trying to act like you know everything and start listening instead.

That’s what I write about: how to spot problems. And how to untangle them while you keep things moving. There’s nothing better than the “ah-ha” moment when someone realizes they can do something. Excitement like that can be life changing. So I’m not big on stepping in and doing things for them. But I do care a lot about helping people succeed. And I’ll always offer a hand while they figure it out.

If stories on personal growth and building mental wealth are your thing, Becoming Unobstructed is worth your time. If you’re ready for your own “ah-hah” moment, consider subscribing.

What is Becoming Unobstructed about?

It’s a weekly newsletter and podcast that weaves between the following core themes.

→ Personal Growth

→ Mental Wealth

→ Leadership

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Why Unobstructed?

I didn’t understand what people meant by, “if you don’t schedule a break, your body will do it for you.” And then I crashed. Hard. So I admitted defeat and tried following the "less is more philosophy." Because doing less is actually the answer. It creates the space for:

• Days that don’t involve red-lining your nervous system.

• Sleeping at normal hours, for appropriate lengths of time.

• Life outside of work to enjoy with friends & family.

I first learned about the power of "less is more" as a wilderness guide. And then re-learned it in the 9-5 world climbing corporate instead of mountains (lol).

That’s what Becoming Unobstructed is about.

• Challenging your mindset.

• Sharpening your skills.

• Making decisions with clarity.

If you want to read more of the backstory, click here.

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Here are a few reads to start with:

The Masked Destruction Of "Male Loneliness"

Positive Psychology’s Hidden Flaw

Saying Goodbye To The Little Engine That Should

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Here are a few listens to start with:

How to Manage Expectations Without Stifling Growth

Neurodiverse Confidence And How To Destroy It

The Reason You Don't Listen To Your Gut (and what to do about it)

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How Becoming Unobstructed works

When you’ll get new posts.

Subscribers get two posts each week:

1. New resources every Sunday.

2. New podcast episodes every Wednesday.

What to know about subscriptions.

If you’ve been nodding along, or opening links in a new tab for later, why not subscribe?

You can also become a paid subscriber for access to:

• Deep-dive, longer-form essays.

• Behind-the-scenes systems access.

• First dibs & discounts on new resources.

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