Eric Stevens Jr. - Who I Am, What I Stand For, and Where I'm Going
March 6, 2025
Introduction: The Man Behind the Mission
I've faced war, failure, heartbreak, and the edge of my own destruction. I refuse to let life dictate my path. I'm in control now.
My name is Eric Stevens Jr. I am from St. Augustine, Florida, born into a long line of locals. I live by discipline, execution, and mastery in every pursuit. I'm a businessman, a thinker, and a builder, constantly seeking growth.
I am a U.S. Army Infantry combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, along with training alongside our European and Eastern European allies. My life isn't about comfort or compromise - it's a pursuit of excellence. I haven't always lived according to my current values, but I believe that anyone can change the moment they decide to, with the discipline to follow through.
My Philosophy: How I Live and Why It Works
My life is built on the pillars of Stoicism and lifelong learning. In my younger years, I made too many decisions based on emotion. I let anger dictate my choices, and it cost me everything - my relationships, finances, and focus. I learned the hard way that emotion is a fire: controlled, it can drive you; unchecked, it burns your life down. That's why I made the decision to master logic, discipline, and absolute control over my actions. The two most important traits a man can develop are emotional intelligence and self-control. With these, you can make decisions based on logic and strategy - this is the key to success.
I also believe in absolute ownership. Blaming external factors weakens you. Owning every result, good or bad, makes you stronger. I used to blame others - my circumstances, my past, my environment. I learned this the hard way when I was spiraling in PTSD and depression after I left the Army and lost my purpose. This external blaming destroyed my relationships and everything I had built up to that point. At that moment, I could have made excuses or gave up, but instead, I owned it. I took accountability for everything - even what wasn't mine to carry. That decision made me stronger - I've never looked back.
Adversity fuels growth. Failure teaches. Obstacles force adaptation. Daily training - mentally and physically - arms you for whatever comes.
Analysis paralysis held me back for too long. Now, I move first, adjust as I go, and refine through struggle. Execution beats perfection - always.
I don't seek approval - my values validate me. If you live by your own code, you'll never need validation from anyone.
What I'm Building: My Portfolio of Mastery
The Matanzas Group
Matanzas Group isn't just a business - it's the foundation of an empire. Long term, it will serve as a holdings company, overseeing ventures across multiple industries, from technology to farming.
I've seen businesses let greed dictate their every move - integrity was never even a factor. I've been on the receiving end of those deals. Never again. Not from me. Not from my company.
That's why I started the Matanzas Group: to build an empire on my own terms, with my own values, where no one controls my future but me. My philosophy? Treat clients right and never let money compromise my values. My business will operate with the same integrity that I demand of myself.
Matanzas River Technology
Matanzas River Technology isn't just another bloated tech firm - we build lean, high-performance solutions that eliminate
inefficiency and
The first phase of Matanzas River Technology will focus on custom software solutions, custom automation, data analytics, and AI-driven efficiency solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. Our goal is simple: streamline operations, cut wasted, time, and give businesses the tools to scale without breaking their budget. Every project will follow my philosophy - lean, efficient, and built for results. Over time, I'll expand into cybersecurity and scalable SaaS platforms, keeping businesses secure and optimized in the digital age.
We strip out inefficiencies, automate intelligently, and help businesses scale without waste.
Men's Philosophy & Writing
Modern society weakens men - mentally, physically, and spiritually. Masculinity is labeled a threat. Aggression is demonized. Our natural drive is suppressed. I reject that narrative. Men are built to lead, fight, create, and dominate their challenges.
I don't waste time on empty motivation. I will cover actionable philosophy, historical masculinity, mental warfare, strategy, and self-mastery. I want to help sharpen men into thinkers, fighters, and leaders. My goal is to create a source of knowledge that men can return to for truth, strength, and strategy - without the weak, soft, politically correct filter that poisons most modern self-development content.
Sharpening the mind is step one. Step two? Strengthening the body - because a sharp mind in a weak body is wasted potential.
Martial Arts & Defensive Training
Self-defense is non-negotiable. I train in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Judo because a man must be capable of protecting himself, his family, and those around him. I've seen what happens when a man can't defend himself. I've seen men freeze, panic, and get taken advantage of, or worse - beaten or killed.
In Afghanistan, I saw men freeze in real combat. Their training was enough for drills - but not for war. I made sure that would never be me. From my first street fight as a kid to getting rocked in the ring, I learned that pain is the best teacher. Train under stress, or fall apart when it matters. Combat changes everything.
Just as important as hand-to-hand combat is weapons proficiency. A man must master his tools - pistol, carbine, rifle, shotgun, bows, and knives - if you don't train with them, you're unprepared for the modern world. Violence and evil exist. Train daily, or be at the mercy of those who do.
Polyglot
Language expands your world. I am actively learning Spanish and Russian, which will be followed by German and French. Americans are too comfortable being monolingual. Learning a new language forces growth, opens doors, and gives you access to knowledge you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to even know about. I plan on writing all my blog posts in other languages I know as I get better in my fluency.
Language mastery isn't just about speaking - it's about thinking differently. Spanish connects me to millions of people, while Russian gives me insight into a powerful and complex culture that has been demonized by mainstream society lately. Every language I learn is another tool for understanding in a global world.
STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics
Mastering STEAM fields isn't just about career success - it's about control. Those who understand science, technology, and engineering create the world; those who don't are ruled by it. Mathematics is the foundation of logic, and logic is the foundation of power. Art is what makes us human - it refines our ability to create, think, and express truth.
I'll use STEAM to build lean, high-performance solutions that make businesses more efficient. But beyond business, mastering STEAM allows me to engineer my own solutions, weapons, tools, and systems, rather than rely on someone else. In survival, engineering and mathematics separate those who can build, innovate, and adapt from those who perish. Mastery of STEAM isn't an option - it's a necessity.
Survival and Outdoorsmanship
Could you survive if society collapsed tomorrow? Can you hunt, fish, trap, forage, build shelter, craft tools and weapons, or start a fire without modern tools? Could you track an animal for miles without GPS? Would you know what to eat if stranded in the wild? Could you find water in a desert? If not, you wouldn't last and most can't. That's the hard truth. I refuse to be one of them. Wilderness mastery is a dying skillset - but I intend to help keep it alive.
I've seen men who didn’t know how to build a fire or navigate the woods. I've been in situations where modern comforts were gone - where the only thing keeping me alive was my ability to think and adapt. If you can't survive without a phone, a grocery store, or an easy way out, then you're at the mercy of the world and nature.
The Goals That Define Me
At the core of everything I do is a singular mission: To use my knowledge, skills, and philosophy to create value for myself, my family, my friends, my clients, and those who align with me. I want to help others accomplish their goals and thrive in a world designed to hold them back.
Find your goals and attack them relentlessly.
The Man I Am Becoming
I don’t wait for a change - I make it happen. Every day is a step closer to becoming the man I envision.
Some will watch, some will doubt, some will hate, and some will stand in my way. It changes nothing. None will stop me.
The mission remains. The mastery continues. The legacy builds.
Keep up. Or be left behind.
If my vision resonates with you, let's build something. Whether in business, philosophy, or mastery, I work with those who move with purpose. Reach out, and let's make an impact.