Healthy Masculinity in the modern world

Healthy Masculinity: Embracing Emotion and Growth in a Changing World

For centuries, men were known as the protectors, the hunter-gatherers. We worked together with other men to accomplish great tasks, built communities, and used gamesmanship to strengthen our bonds. Whether out hunting, fighting in wars, or building civilizations, we learned to thrive through cooperation, strength, and resilience. But alongside this exterior of toughness, there was a necessary counterpart—the need to restore, recharge, and bond in ways that made us stronger as a collective.

Yet today, many men struggle to find their place in the world as our roles have shifted. The dynamics of society have changed, and with that comes new challenges. As traditional gender roles evolve, men face the complexity of navigating more emotions, the pressures of social media impacting our children, and the shifting dynamics within our homes, where women are increasingly making decisions that were once traditionally ours. This shift leaves many men wondering where they fit in, and what it means to be a man in this new world.

However, a transformation is underway. As society moves toward greater emotional awareness and healthier approaches to masculinity, men are beginning to explore new ways of embracing their feelings, processing stress, and learning to thrive in the face of these challenges. One of the key elements in this journey is the realization that men don’t have to go it alone. We can lean on each other, build a community, and face these challenges together.

Breaking Free from Old Narratives

Historically, masculinity was defined by external strength, stoicism, and an ability to endure without complaint. In many ways, we were conditioned to repress emotions like sadness, fear, or even joy, seeing them as weaknesses. Instead of reaching out for help, men were taught to internalize their struggles. This kind of emotional suppression can be damaging, leading to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking, explosive anger, or emotional withdrawal.

But healthy masculinity doesn’t require us to abandon strength; rather, it encourages us to redefine it. True strength lies not in repressing our feelings but in learning how to express them, process them, and ultimately grow from them. Today’s masculinity is about embracing a fuller range of emotional experiences and finding healthier ways to handle the stresses of life.

The Role of Women: A Partnership of Strength and Softness

In this new era of healthy masculinity, we also need to acknowledge the indispensable role women play. Their decision-making ability and nurturing instincts are vital to balancing the challenges of modern life. For many men, the growth experience involves learning to soften in ways that allow us to be more emotionally attuned to our children, our partners, and ourselves. Women provide a unique perspective, helping to guide men through emotional terrain, teaching us to be more empathetic, patient, and present, particularly in our roles as fathers.

Looking back at our indigenous ancestors, we can see how essential women's roles were. While men often held the role of the chief, guiding the tribe with leadership and strength, women were the backbone of survival. They were often tasked with carrying the water, nourishing the tribe and sustaining life. But perhaps more importantly, women were often the emotional compass—using their incredible instincts to guide the tribe through harsh weather, difficult decisions, and changing circumstances. Their intuitive understanding of the needs of the group was an essential part of the tribe’s survival.

Similarly, in the animal kingdom, the balance of masculine and feminine roles plays out in fascinating ways. Consider lions: while the male lion may be seen as the protector, it is the female lion who is the primary hunter and caregiver. She provides food for the pride, nurtures the young, and plays a central role in the pride’s survival. The partnership between male and female lions shows us that true strength is not just about power or dominance, but about cooperation and balance—two qualities that can strengthen and enhance both men and women.

In the same way, modern men benefit from women’s decision-making abilities and their capacity to soften and nurture. These qualities are not a threat to masculinity; they complement it, creating a more harmonious balance in the home and the world.

Navigating the Modern Struggle

In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, many men feel a sense of displacement. In the past, we found our place in society through traditional roles—whether as a protector, provider, or leader. Today, those roles are less clearly defined. Men are increasingly tasked with navigating the complexities of raising children in a world dominated by social media, dealing with the pressures of modern relationships, and balancing the demands of jobs and personal life.

This challenge is further compounded by the rise of new responsibilities at home. Women are more present in decision-making processes than ever before, and this shift can sometimes leave men feeling uncertain or unsure of where they fit in. It’s a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. As men learn to share their frustrations, to work through feelings of displacement, they realize that their struggles are not unique. Everyone is navigating something difficult, and these shared experiences help forge deeper connections.

Creating Safe Spaces for Growth

The Growth Experience is a powerful example of how modern masculinity is evolving. It’s a movement that focuses on creating safe, supportive spaces where men can openly share their frustrations and challenges. In these environments, men are encouraged to express their emotions, confront their struggles, and grow alongside one another. What many men discover in these spaces is that they are not alone in their struggles. Everyone is facing some form of difficulty, and by talking about it, we learn that we are all in this together.

One of the greatest lessons men learn in these spaces is that our challenges, while real, are not insurmountable. The key is to move away from a mindset of victimhood and instead embrace gratitude for the opportunities we have. When we shift our perspective, we can begin to see that these challenges are not roadblocks but stepping stones toward a deeper, more meaningful life.

Movement: Releasing Stuck Energy and Building Patience

One of the most powerful ways to support our emotional growth and resilience is through movement. Whether it’s through exercise, sports, or physical labor, movement helps us release pent-up energy, reducing stress and emotional tension. In many ways, this mirrors the ancient practices of our ancestors, who relied on physical work to keep the body and mind in balance.

Today, men are rediscovering the importance of strengthening their bodies as a way of strengthening their ability to manage their emotions. The more we engage in movement—whether it’s a run in nature, lifting weights, practicing yoga, or playing sports—the more we create space within ourselves to breathe, reset, and find calm. These physical practices help us to process stress and feel more grounded, which ultimately enhances our ability to respond with patience in challenging situations.

Movement not only helps us physically but also emotionally, releasing stuck energy and making us feel better afterward. As we take care of our bodies, we enhance our emotional regulation and resilience. When we are physically strong, we’re better equipped to handle the stresses of daily life, whether it’s dealing with family pressures, work demands, or interpersonal challenges.

Tools for Emotional Mastery

The tools men are using today to navigate this new world of emotional complexity are varied but powerful. Here are some practices that are helping men find balance and reclaim their emotional well-being:

1. Forest Bathing: Grounding Through Nature Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, is a practice rooted in reconnecting with nature. For men feeling disconnected or overwhelmed, spending time in nature offers a chance to ground themselves and process emotions. Nature provides a healing space to reflect, breathe, and reset—allowing men to return to their lives with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose.

   
   

2. Meditation: Finding Peace Amidst Chaos Meditation is an increasingly popular practice that helps men tune out the noise and find inner peace. Whether through mindfulness or guided techniques, meditation allows men to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, offering an opportunity to process feelings in a healthier way. It cultivates emotional resilience, helping men navigate difficult situations with calm and presence.

   
   

3. Breathwork: Calming the Mind and Body Breathwork is an incredibly powerful tool for managing stress and emotional overwhelm. Through controlled breathing techniques, men can activate their parasympathetic nervous system, calming themselves in moments of high tension. Simple practices like deep belly breathing or box breathing help bring men back to the present moment, allowing them to make more thoughtful, composed decisions.

4. Journaling: Navigating Internal Struggles Journaling provides a safe space for men to process their emotions and experiences. Writing helps untangle complex thoughts, enabling men to reflect on their feelings, track personal growth, and identify patterns that may be holding them back. It’s a form of self-therapy, where men can confront their inner worlds and gain insights into their emotional landscape.

   
   

5. Managing Anger: Responding with Intent One of the most powerful shifts in healthy masculinity is the ability to work through anger rather than letting it control us. Men are often taught that anger is a "masculine" emotion, something to be wielded powerfully. But unchecked anger can lead to harmful outbursts. By learning to pause, breathe, and identify the root of their anger, men can respond more thoughtfully, creating space for more productive communication and emotional regulation.

   
   

Building a New Collective of Men

As we create spaces for men to open up and share, we begin to build a collective of strength, vulnerability, and growth. The more men embrace their emotional challenges and work through them together, the more they begin to realize that their struggles are not unique to them. We all face hard things—whether it’s stress from work, relationship dynamics, or personal uncertainty—and by supporting one another, we can navigate these challenges more effectively.

What’s even more powerful is the shift in perspective that happens when we embrace gratitude for the opportunities we have. Men today are realizing that, instead of focusing on what’s difficult or unfair, we can choose to focus on the opportunities in front of us—the chance to grow, learn, and connect with others in a meaningful way. This mindset can transform not only individual lives but entire communities.

Conclusion: A New Era of Healthy Masculinity

Healthy masculinity is about removing the old armor we once wore—armor that kept us from feeling, connecting, and growing. It’s about embracing vulnerability, learning to manage emotions, and building meaningful relationships that allow us to thrive in today’s world. As men reclaim their emotional health and begin to share their experiences, they find strength not in silence, but in connection.

The journey toward healthy masculinity is not easy, but it is one worth taking. By leaning on each other, using tools like forest bathing, breathwork, and journaling, and shifting from a mindset of victimhood to one of gratitude, we can build a world where men thrive emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Together, we can create a collective of men who are grounded, resilient, and fully capable of navigating the complexities of modern life with clarity, strength, and grace. And as we learn to partner with the women in our lives—acknowledging their role as decision-makers, nurturers, and guides—we can create a world where balance, collaboration, and emotional strength lead the way. Through movement, we can release the stuck energy that weighs us down and foster the patience and strength needed to navigate life's challenges with a calm and open heart. When we master our emotions, we can truly thrive.

Sincerely yours,

Ryan

THE GROWTH EXPERIENCE TEAM