At the moment, the men's development industry is burgeoning. It seems to be everywhere you look. Each piece of the pie has its own take.
Frankly, we don't even have a coherent label for the community/industry. Some call it the manosphere. Others may refer to them as male influencers. In Christianity, the closest we get is "men's ministry". But this whole world is extremely competitive, loud, and messy. It is a Wild West spurred forward by the constant noise of social media platform marketing. Millions of accounts are vying for your attention, and so many of them have jumped on board the "expert" train.
The Manosphere Wants Your Attention
All of us are fighting for your attention. And just as Alex Hormozi is now saying: attention is the new oil.
We get paid when you give us your attention. You PAY attention. Your time and focus are currency. If we're good at what we do, we can turn your attention into a commodity that you're willing to pay us to give away.
It may sound a little sketchy or slimy, but people look to get paid to take your attention in a lot of other areas. Entertainment, education, consultation, and so many other sectors rely on you paying someone to take your attention for a certain amount of time.
I do believe the manosphere won't last. A lot of these organizations (perhaps mine included) will fall by the wayside as the popularity of the movement wanes. It's most likely a generational thing. A few organizations will hold on, but I think a painful refinement of the entire sector is coming.
The Manosphere and the Military
Attached to the rise of the manosphere and male influencing is the special forces community. Navy SEALS, Delta Force operators, Green Berets, Army Rangers, and more are all making the rounds on the video and podcast circuits. They're writing books about their experiences and giving TEDx talks.
Mind you, I'm not speaking with disrespect. I give honor where honor is due to these guys. They use their experiences and have helped plenty of people. However, many of them have also built a following of regular guys who live vicariously through them. It's admiring a "hero" and internalizing his accomplishments.
The truth is, those special forces guys are human, just like every other guy. They have their strengths and weaknesses. Now, they will most likely have the ability to persevere far past what the typical person is capable of. They can handle themselves well in highly stressful situations. They know how to protect themselves and their families. But, at the end of the day, their ability to fulfill the values of true masculinity may or may not make the grade.
The Manosphere Won't Last
While it's an interesting sector of the manosphere, I don't see the military obsession lasting either. Much like MMA took the world by storm with the popular rise of the UFC, the military mindset world will recede. Shirts like Grunt Style and Nine Lines have replaced Affliction, but I don't see it continuing with the pace currently being set.
Right now, military chic is a fashion style, a technology obsession, a tool (toy?) line-up, and a lifestyle. Tomorrow, it'll be something just as stereotypically masculine.
The masculine sphere in general is a thing to behold. It's a massive firework that speaks to the inner yearnings of a lot of guys. For so long, men have been beaten down by society and told they're toxic. A lot of those men never had father figures in their lives and are struggling to understand what it means to be a man. Many of us are boys trapped in men's bodies. The manosphere has risen up to bring some answers.
In a few years, the whole whirlwind will die down. Most likely, a consolidation will happen and culture will find new things to focus on. You'll retain a few of the big ones and the industry will exist. But it won't saturate social media like it has.
Years ago, when YouTube was rocketing upwards in popularity, young men were drawn to commentary videos and the drama ensuing between groups like new atheists, progressives, Christians, the woke, and the based. After a while, the response video rush died down and some content creators made the switch to news-style commentary or general social commentary. Others petered out. But the momentum couldn't be retained forever.
My Own Role in the Manosphere
I don't know how to stay outside the rush of people barreling down the corridors of the internet and speaking circuit. Everybody has a monthly program, subscription pipeline, and mentorship intensives. I fully admit, that I've created some of these products to help my own organization. And all the while, it's sat in the back of my mind. Am I copying everyone else?
As I weigh out the similarities between what I do and what others are doing, I evaluate my own approach. I won't lie, I'm inspired by other organizations and know they've helped me. I know people are looking for these types of things and some of them provide a legitimate product or service. A guy like Jordan Peterson has done massive work in my life, yet he has absolutely no clue I even exist. I credit his videos and books with shaping integral parts of how I think about the world.
Peterson Isn't the Enemy
As an aside, for those who argue that Christian men should not pay attention to Jordan Peterson, and argue they should just read the Bible more: why do you bother going to church and listening to a pastor read from the Bible? "Just read it more!"
You seek out pastors because you value the insight of those who are discerning and pulling apart the deep lessons of life. You desire their experiences and truth to help you in your life. Peterson speaks to young men in a way that the Christian realm flat-out didn't. No offense, but you can't force it, and the typical pastor came up sorely lacking in presenting themselves in a way young men would connect with.
As for me and my own slice of the manosphere: I'm more interested in the slow-build discipleship of men into righteous family men who are balanced, healthy, active, and productive. I'm an everyday man for the everyday man. This may put me at a disadvantage when compared to other organizations. My very "unspecial" status doesn't necessarily bode well when building a brand identity. I don't have the street cred of being a part of the special forces community. I can't claim to be a high-level athlete. I'm not a doctor or professional with tons of certifications and degrees.
My Own Experiences
I do know what I know. I've experienced quite a bit and have been blessed with the ability to observe it all and take notes. I battled deep rivers of depression throughout my teens, 20s, and even early 30s. I had to overcome a complete lack of self-worth and conviction. I failed at a lot of what I put my hands on. I struggled to complete the challenges set in front of me. I had plenty of long-term relationships. I started over in a brand new job and location with almost no roots in my early 20s. I lost my mother at 26. I've worked different jobs in various career paths.
Nowadays, I take what I've learned and break it down into useful pieces that work for me. The Lord has led me to develop skills in taking those useful pieces and creating a useful curriculum. He's taught me how to ask questions that hit like a sniper's bullet. I've learned how to spur others to sit before the Lord and ask Him the right questions.
I'm the type that will ask you the same question three or four times because I know you'll only give me the real answer on the last try. I'm the guy who will lead you to break yourself down inside to start the rebuild process.
Your rebuilding process is my goal.
And my reward is your transformation. Watching a guy's mindset change in real time blows me away every time it happens. It never gets old!
Watch the Manosphere
This manosphere seems to be heading towards the top of the curve. While men have always been attracted to understanding what it means to be a man, the industry as it stands won't last forever. We'll watch the surge pull back and settle at some point.
My prayer for myself and The Forged is that I don't fit into the manosphere but simply disciple men to become productive servants for the Kingdom of Christ. And where it goes and the waves it rides are up to the Lord Himself.
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