Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here. What does a perfect world look like – and who gets to decide? On The Collective this week, former Navy SEAL Justin Sheehan and former soldier Yohance “Hance” Boulden joined Chance and me for a deep and dynamic conversation on the concepts of “Utopia and Dystopia.” We explored these ideas not as distant sci-fi fantasies, but as reflections of our internal states, our personal values, and the worlds we strive to create or avoid every single day, both for ourselves and for the collective.
This Week’s World Builders:
– Justin Sheehan: Former U.S. Navy SEAL who served within DEVGRU. With decades of operational experience in high-stakes environments, Justin now channels his discipline and focus into teaching firearms proficiency, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and being a father.
– Yohance “Hance” Boulden: Former U.S. Army intelligence specialist with a background in strategic operations and analysis. Since leaving the military, Yohance has carved a unique path as a private contractor and global adventurer – combining analytical precision with a fearless drive for experience.
Key Insights from Our Utopia/Dystopia Discussion:
1. A Necessary Blend – The Need for Friction
The panel immediately agreed that a “perfect” world devoid of struggle is not a true utopia. Hance noted he would be “bored to death,” while Justin emphasized the need for “good versus evil” and struggle to truly appreciate the good times. A frictionless world lacks purpose and meaning.
2. Running Towards Dystopia – The Warrior’s Paradox
Justin offered a powerful insight: many of us from warrior backgrounds don’t run from dystopia; we often run towards the chaos and the struggle. We seek it out because it’s where we feel most alive and purposeful. This chaotic engagement, he argued, is what makes the brief, quiet moments of utopia – like Hance’s simple moments with his kids – so much more profound and meaningful.
3. The Velocity of Pursuit – Walking vs. Running
I proposed that we should consider the velocity with which we move towards our personal utopia or away from dystopia. Many people become comfortable in a lukewarm middle ground, merely crawling when they could be walking faster or sprinting towards a better version of their lives. I admitted my own preference for high velocity, as it’s where I feel most in the game.
4. Cleaning Dystopia vs. Living In It
A crucial distinction was made: there are those who seek out chaos to live in it, and there are those who run “to the sound of gunfire” to clean it up, to bring order, and to create utopia behind them for others. The former is often self-serving; the latter is an act of service.
5. The Podium Paradox – The Selfishness Required for Success
Justin raised a challenging but honest point about the mindset required to reach the top. He admitted that to succeed in intensely competitive environments like BUD/S, you have to be “so selfish,” focusing relentlessly on your own survival and performance (while trying to help out where you can) to get to the finish line. This led to a discussion on the paradox of the podium: the very selfishness that can propel an individual to incredible achievement can be perceived by the outside world as arrogant or uncool. I reflected on my own experiences competing at world championship levels in 24hr Solo mountain bike racing, acknowledging that you have to adopt a focus, discipline and an almost unnerving belief in yourself to win, that it can sometimes manifest as being a “handful to be around.” The key takeaway is that the journey to the top often requires a temporary, laser-focus and to some degree a certain selfishness, and the real challenge for a mature individual is learning how to integrate that competitive drive back into a life of service and humility once the win is achieved.
6. Harmony as Balance, Not Agreement
Justin challenged the dictionary definition of harmony as “agreement.” He argued that a true utopia isn’t a world where everyone agrees, but one where a dynamic balance exists between different ideas, people, and energies. A world of total agreement would be stagnant and devoid of the friction necessary for growth.
7. The Hero or The Villain – Coaching the Next Generation
Justin’s conversation with his wrestler daughter about being “coachable” and choosing to be the “hero or the villain” sparked a crucial discussion on mentorship. We all agreed that while we can’t shield our children from the world, we have a profound responsibility to provide them with a strong framework. I emphasized that it’s not about forcing them down a specific path, but about giving them a “why,” a sense of purpose and integrity. Hance beautifully articulated this with his “Dope Life Recipe” and his desire to raise “weird, wild kids,” championing their individuality within broad, supportive borders. The conversation highlighted that our role as parents and mentors is to be the reliable voice of reason and support, helping the next generation navigate their own choices between the heroic path of discipline and contribution, and the villainous path of shortcuts and selfishness.
8. The Path – Embracing an Elite Process
Hance’s concept of the “illusion of choice” can be distilled into a powerful, outcome-oriented principle: To achieve an elite outcome, you must engage in an elite process. This led me to a deeper reflection, something that resonates with me: “The secret of serenity is wholehearted cooperation with the inevitable.” In this context, the “inevitable” is the work itself. True utopia, or inner peace, isn’t found by seeking an easier route or a clever shortcut; it is found in the radical acceptance and wholehearted engagement with the demanding process that success requires. The path becomes clear, and the internal struggle subsides not when we find a clever alternative, but when we stop fighting the reality of what is required and fully commit our being to the journey. The only real choice is surrender – not of our goal, but of our resistance to the path itself.
Final Thought – Utopia is an Internal State, Built Daily
The quest for utopia isn’t about finding a perfect external world; that is an unattainable fantasy. As our conversation revealed, it is the daily, internal work of defining what a meaningful life looks like for you. An inner utopia. It’s about finding balance, embracing necessary friction, earning your regrets through full effort, being proud of your actions, and cultivating a state of inner peace and purpose that allows you to navigate both the utopian and dystopian moments of life with grace and strength.
What does your personal utopia look like today?
Listen to the full “Utopia Or Dystopia” discussion here: Utopia Or Dystopia
Keep building your world,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
