My journey with #masculinity has largely been influenced by smart, powerful, patient and empathetic women and for the last few years @feministabulous has been on the frontlines of my journey. I am in awe of her intelligence, kindness, and passion that shines through everything she does. She does not need to sit at the table with us men each week, but she does and we are all better for it. This episode is just a glimpse of the person I am lucky enough to call a friend. Together, Liz, Jamey, and I have challenged one another and all of our guests to see our society from a different perspective, Liz provides data and facts that turn our worlds upside down weekly. Liz should coin the term “mic drop” for how many mindblowing stats she gives us. But, just like all of us Liz is human, and on her own healing journey. Her vulnerability and attitude on facing her traumas only makes her stronger in my eyes. This episode is one that will live in your brain rent free…trust me. And…if you didn’t know this already, now you know that Liz Plank is one of the most #manenough badass women I know.
Nine years ago today…she said yes.
(Link to the full video in bio)
So many friends and family came together to pull this off, and I still have no idea how we did it.
To our entire community- thank you for helping a broke, aspiring filmmaker who had no idea how to pull this off create the most ridiculous proposal ever.
But this wasn’t even the best part. The best part was three months later when I actually got to marry my best friend and celebrate with everyone in this video.
We love you all!
WHYYYYYY is the current the question in our house 🤦🏻♂️
Keep in mind this was the END of the conversation (if you can even call it that) 😂
And yes I’m exhausted. 🤷🏻♂️
#dadlife #why #barelyhangingon
Healing starts with ahhhfhsjdjdjdysijr….😂 🤦🏻♂️
Before going under anesthesia to get stem-cells injected into my herniated discs, I promised my kids I would make them a video showing how the “medicine” worked.
… it worked. 🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
@bioxcellerator_ #stemcelltherapy #healing
The #janethevirgin reunion I’ve been waiting for! 👇🏼
Today’s episode of the #maneneoughpodcast is one you do not want to miss 👀 My Brogelio @jaimecamil and I have major breakthroughs talking about trauma and therapy, and I got to see him in a way I have never seen him in our seven years of friendship. He opened up so much and it was so beautiful to connect on this level. I love you brother! 🙏🏼
Go listen 🎧 Link in Bio.
I feel like Falkor in Neverending Story
Hot take – I believe that you can have deep Spirtual or religious beliefs and still support women having complete control of their bodies.
I first read Jackson Katz- The Macho Paradox six years ago. It shook me. This book should be mandatory reading for every man who believes they are “one of the good ones” and that violence against women is a “Women’s issue” …IT’S NOT. It’s a man’s issue.
You don’t want to miss this very special episode of the #manenoughpodcast with a man who has spent the last 40 years fighting for #genderequality and doing the real work to help make this world safer for women, and all marginalized groups. The one and only- the OG- @jacksontkatz .
(Link in bio to support @clairesplacefoundation)
My fear friend & little soul sister Claire Wineland would have turned 25 today.
Claire was actually the inspiration for my first film #fivefeetapart. Stella’s character (@haleyluhoo) was inspired by Claire, and I originally got the idea for the film over sushi (her favorite food) where she told me that two people with CF can’t touch. She helped me develop the story, made sure everything related to CF was accurate, and even surprised the cast at our table read.
Unfortunately she passed just before I was able to show her the first cut of the film. 💔Getting the chance to hold her hand, pray over her, and say goodbye was one of the most important moments of my life. That night, I promised her I would do whatever I could to keep her memory and her foundation alive – as helping families with CF meant everything to her.
It would mean the world to me and her family if you followed @clairesplacefoundation and considered donating today in her honor. They are doing incredible work and every dollar goes to supporting families who are struggling with #cysticfibrosis .
I love you Claire, thank you for always reminding us that we can make our lives a beautiful piece of art.
This poignant question by @justinbaldoni is one that i encourage everyone to ask their partner, friend, colleague or anyone that they care about regardless of the gender. I personally think it’s a great first date question 😎 And the call for others to care about each other’s safety in my answer doesn’t just apply to men when they witness other men are behaving badly, it applies to ANYONE who has power or social capital in a situation. Your position of power will vary with every social setting but if you do have more influence, invest that privilege into others safety. As Maya Angelou said “try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” ❤️ Wayfarer Studios
I have no idea how I’m going to use the bathroom. 😰 #thestruggleisreal #legday
Before we are put in boxes and binaries, we are simply human. And Man Enough is a human show.
I loved having my old friend @deuces1966 on the @wearemanenough this week because he might not be someone you would necessarily think would be a guest on our show. But why would we think that in the first place? I want to have humans on the show — humans who are willing to be real and open and have the conversations that so many of us don’t have. And just like every guest, Dean helped us do that this week.
I don’t want to live in a world where we stop talking and listening to each other when it gets uncomfortable or when we disagree; I don’t want the divide to keep getting bigger. How can we ever grow as people if we aren’t engaging in conversations with people who may disagree with us?
“The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.” -Abdu’l Baha
I’d love for you to check out this week’s episode of #manenoughpodcast — link in bio — and get a little uncomfortable with us as we talk through what it means to be human in the world today.
Happy final day of Ayyám-i-Há to all our Bahai friends around the world.
These last four days have been celebrated by millions of Bahai’s all around the world and are known as the days of Joy!
Being honest, it’s been hard to celebrate and be joyful at times with so much pain and suffering and war happening around the world. Bahai’s look forward to these few days for an entire year… it’s kind of like our Christmas of sorts. But it’s looking at all the pain and tyranny and discrimination facing humanity today that I am reminded of this quote from `Abdu’l-Bahá:
“…all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter—the spiritual world bestows only the joy!”
This year we have done our best to find that joy, and so much of that comes from our children who bring me so much hope, and our community that reminds me when all else fails… just dance!
May joy find you, and touch you wherever you are in the world today!
#bahai #ayyamiha #joy
I LOVE superhero movies and honestly all things superheroes. Growing up I was a massive comic book fan. Many of the super heroes had alter egos that felt like me. That’s why I loved the X men so much (if only I could have found my professor X) but there are also many superheroes who in reality aren’t the greatest examples of healthy masculinity. Most comics were written by men and helped us buy into the “white saviors” complex. We were taught to literally become two different men and we had to be “knights in shining armor”. I think the reason superhero movies are doing so well and are so good is because we have people like (@victoriaalonso76) who are working towards changing how superheroes are perceived and humanizing aspects of them so that audiences can relate and see a part of themselves in them (aka “Fat Thor”).
So in other words…I may or may not have found a new best friend… and just because she’s not on screen doesn’t mean she isn’t a superhero.
Meet Victoria Alonso (@victoriaalonso76) aka @marvelstudios President of Physical and Post Production, Visual Effects, and Animation production. Yes she is a very big deal. Don’t miss this kickass episode of the #manenoughpodcast. Link in bio to listen.
I believe the difference between physical bravery and emotional bravery is the heart🫀. One of the most important things I always remind my son is that the strongest muscle in his body, is his heart. Because without that, all the physical strength in the world means nothing.
The courage of @georgesstpierre goes far beyond his fighting in the octagon… (although he is one of the most badass fighters I have ever met hands down 🙌🏼) his strength comes from his ability to be vulnerable and be a role model to other men. This physically ideal alpha man is courageous talking to us about his past bullies and struggles with depression.. but also his regrets of not being transparent to the public about his mental health. Emotional bravery is one of the scariest things a man can do. I am so grateful to Georges for being a part of our show.
You can listen to the whole episode in the Link In my Bio 👈🏼
How can we do more on Trans Day of Visibility and beyond?
Some of my most life-changing and perspective-shifting conversations have been with those in the Trans community. And this conversation did just that. I was honored to have such a meaningful chat with @pinkmantaray , @xoxoemira and @visiblemobile to talk about the importance of not only being visible, but allowing everyone to feel seen.
#TransDayofVisibility #WeAreVisible #VisiblePartner
HAPPY #WORLDBOOKDAY ! This moment lasted about as long as you think it did 😂 Link in bio to pre-order my new book for middle grade boys, Boys Will Be Human 📖
What a powerful, spiritual, emotional and healing experience this has been. Not just for my body, but for my heart. Not just for me, but for my family.
For so long I’ve had this almost hatred and disappointment with my body…and my body responded accordingly.
From knee injuries playing soccer in middle school, to my hamstring tear senior year that sent me into a depression and altered the course of my life. To phantom back pain that even specialist couldn’t figure out – my body was always talking to me, but I never listened.
I’ve always wanted my body to be bigger, stronger, faster, to do more and push through. To be the best. To be a machine. This is what I was told would earn me love and respect. But at what cost?
For years and years my body has been telling me it was tired. To slow down. That it needed rest. And that more than anything… it needed love.
I wish it didn’t take so much pain for me to listen, but for many men like myself…that’s unfortunately the way we have been trained. We are invincible – until we aren’t.
And I’m not. Far from it. And finally grateful to be a simple mortal. I’m finally starting to appreciate this gift that is my vessel.
It’s time for me to slow down a bit. To pull the arrow back so it can fly forward.
I am finally starting to give my body the rest and the love it has been desperately asking for.
My injuries haven’t been a sign I’m broken. They have been a sign that I need rest. That I’m enough as I am and there are seasons to push and seasons to pause.
As you can see in these pics, I’ve been praying and meditating preparing my body for healing. To welcome these powerful life giving stem cells. Thanking them for healing me. Thanking my body for all amazing things it has let me do.
Telling myself that I am worthy of healing.
That my body is enough and I am listening.
That my pain served a purpose and I am grateful for it- and I can now let it go.
That I am healed.
So much of healing is a mindset. It’s never too late.
So grateful to the meticulous team at @bioxcellerator_ and for the 368 million stem cells they injected into my body.
Here’s to #healing. Here’s to #love.
#stemcelltherapy Medellín, Colombia
What a powerful, spiritual, emotional and healing experience this has been. Not just for my body, but for my heart. Not just for me, but for my family.
For so long I’ve had this almost hatred and disappointment with my body…and my body responded accordingly.
From knee injuries playing soccer in middle school, to my hamstring tear senior year that sent me into a depression and altered the course of my life. To phantom back pain that even specialist couldn’t figure out – my body was always talking to me, but I never listened.
I’ve always wanted my body to be bigger, stronger, faster, to do more and push through. To be the best. To be a machine. This is what I was told would earn me love and respect. But at what cost?
For years and years my body has been telling me it was tired. To slow down. That it needed rest. And that more than anything… it needed love.
I wish it didn’t take so much pain for me to listen, but for many men like myself…that’s unfortunately the way we have been trained. We are invincible – until we aren’t.
And I’m not. Far from it. And finally grateful to be a simple mortal. I’m finally starting to appreciate this gift that is my vessel.
It’s time for me to slow down a bit. To pull the arrow back so it can fly forward.
I am finally starting to give my body the rest and the love it has been desperately asking for.
My injuries haven’t been a sign I’m broken. They have been a sign that I need rest. That I’m enough as I am and there are seasons to push and seasons to pause.
As you can see in these pics, I’ve been praying and meditating preparing my body for healing. To welcome these powerful life giving stem cells. Thanking them for healing me. Thanking my body for all amazing things it has let me do.
Telling myself that I am worthy of healing.
That my body is enough and I am listening.
That my pain served a purpose and I am grateful for it- and I can now let it go.
That I am healed.
So much of healing is a mindset. It’s never too late.
So grateful to the meticulous team at @bioxcellerator_ and for the 368 million stem cells they injected into my body.
Here’s to #healing. Here’s to #love.
#stemcelltherapy Medellín, Colombia
What a powerful, spiritual, emotional and healing experience this has been. Not just for my body, but for my heart. Not just for me, but for my family.
For so long I’ve had this almost hatred and disappointment with my body…and my body responded accordingly.
From knee injuries playing soccer in middle school, to my hamstring tear senior year that sent me into a depression and altered the course of my life. To phantom back pain that even specialist couldn’t figure out – my body was always talking to me, but I never listened.
I’ve always wanted my body to be bigger, stronger, faster, to do more and push through. To be the best. To be a machine. This is what I was told would earn me love and respect. But at what cost?
For years and years my body has been telling me it was tired. To slow down. That it needed rest. And that more than anything… it needed love.
I wish it didn’t take so much pain for me to listen, but for many men like myself…that’s unfortunately the way we have been trained. We are invincible – until we aren’t.
And I’m not. Far from it. And finally grateful to be a simple mortal. I’m finally starting to appreciate this gift that is my vessel.
It’s time for me to slow down a bit. To pull the arrow back so it can fly forward.
I am finally starting to give my body the rest and the love it has been desperately asking for.
My injuries haven’t been a sign I’m broken. They have been a sign that I need rest. That I’m enough as I am and there are seasons to push and seasons to pause.
As you can see in these pics, I’ve been praying and meditating preparing my body for healing. To welcome these powerful life giving stem cells. Thanking them for healing me. Thanking my body for all amazing things it has let me do.
Telling myself that I am worthy of healing.
That my body is enough and I am listening.
That my pain served a purpose and I am grateful for it- and I can now let it go.
That I am healed.
So much of healing is a mindset. It’s never too late.
So grateful to the meticulous team at @bioxcellerator_ and for the 368 million stem cells they injected into my body.
Here’s to #healing. Here’s to #love.
#stemcelltherapy Medellín, Colombia
For the last few years I’ve been on a deep, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing journey. I’ve gone places and experienced things I never in my life thought I would. I still feel like I’m at the beginning of my journey- continuing to uncover layers and layers that I didn’t know existed, all the while falling in love with life, and humanity in a way I didn’t know was possible. And while I will continue to work on the spiritual, emotional and somatic… it’s now time to integrate it all with science.
That’s why I’m here in Colombia to get some of the most advanced, state of the art stem cell treatment in the world with the amazing team at @bioxcellerator_
With more injuries, torn muscles and bulging discs than I can count- I’ve been on a quest to figure out what is at the core of my pain. The deeper I go into my somatic healing, the more I learn that so much of my pain has come from trapped emotions that I’ve never allowed out. Tears I’ve never let fall. Sadness, resentment and anger I’ve been too embarrassed or proud to express for fear of being seen as too much or not enough. It’s one of the reasons why I care so deeply about men and masculinity. We don’t realize just how much decades of having to “toughen up” or “act like a man” has hurt each and every one of us along with those that love us. I know very few men in my life who aren’t in some sort of physical pain that if they would only look under the hood would see that it’s a result of unresolved emotional pain. It’s only a matter of time until we connect the dots and realize that “the grind” is literally grinding down our bodies. I’m a poster child for this…it’s why I do this work.
So here’s to healing! Not just the physical but the emotional and Spirtual. Can’t wait to experience these stem cells!
So excited to keep you updated on this journey and what comes of it.
#healing #stemcell #thebodykeepsthescore Medellín, Colombia
It’s finally here! My next book Boys Will Be Human for Middle Graders / teen boys (and honestly everyone) – comes out October 18, 2022 (On Maxwell’s birthday!) Link in bio to pre order!
This is a book I desperately needed in middle school, as those years were some of the most confusing, painful, awkward, and difficult times in my life.
-It’s when I learned that my allegiance as a man was to my own gender, and that being strong, powerful, dominant, and sexual were my only options.
-It’s when I learned to make choices not from a place of love but from a place of fear and survival. Fear that my manhood would be challenged or taken away, fear that I would be bullied and harassed.
-It’s when it felt like the world was screaming that who I was—even when I was still figuring out who I was—wasn’t enough. And it would never be.
I wish that when I grew up there were more voices, louder voices, telling boys that who they are, as they are, is enough.
-That their sensitivity is actually their strength.
-That their emotions aren’t anything to be ashamed of and are the very things that make them human.
-That they don’t have to know it all, or pretend and perform to be liked because humility is a super power.
-That their bodies are incredible just the way they are.
-That intimacy is more than just physical.
-That mental health is just as (if not more important) than physical health.
-That they can feel hurt, sad, confused, scared…that they can feel, period.
My hope is that Boys Will Be Human can be one of those voices. That it can be a trusted friend, a safe place that not just boys, but anyone can go (and hopefully where adults in their lives can go with them) to be reminded that they are enough. That it will spark and guide real, honest, deep, transparent, and at times, uncomfortable conversations about what it means to be a boy, but more importantly, what it means to be human.
I hope you consider sharing this book with someone you love, because now more than ever our world needs more boys who are brave enough to be human; boys who know that being human is more than enough.
Maiya is now documenting everything… what have I done 😳 #dearmaiya #thatframingtho
Happy birthday mamma. Your depth has no limits. I love you so deeply. You are proving to us all every day that age is just a number. 74 has never looked so good.
BTW- These pics are 22 years apart. One of us is seems to be defying the laws of physics and has stopped aging. *Hint- it’s not me.
Mamma I would say you should do everyone a favor and give the world your skin care routine. But I know it’s not any one product that is the secret to your youthfulness. It’s your mindset. ❤️
Think
See
Choose
Be
Love
How the hell do we “be love” in times like this? I’m not sure about you, but I’m feeling so much these days. It’s almost like everywhere I turn there is an injustice happening that someone, somewhere is justifying. It breaks my heart. So much pain everywhere. So many people profiting off of the viewing of that pain. What do I say? What can I do? I’m just trying to be enough for my own family. I’m exhausted. And then I think about what a privilege it is to be exhausted. To be able to choose what I do or don’t do. Or what I talk or don’t talk about when so many are shouting- unheard for basic human rights. For the right to live. To survive. To even have the chance to “be”.
But while exhaustion is a real thing, giving up hope is not an option. The world needs me & you to keep going. To keep fighting. But that can and should look different to EVERYONE.
For some it’s a post. For others it’s a small private act. And for others it’s a protest.
Regardless the world needs all of us to show up in whatever way we can, and only God can know and judge our individual capacities.
But how do we “be love” in times like this?
It starts with changing our thoughts. With thinking. Remembering the things we are grateful for. Thinking of and counting our blessings no matter how large or small they are.
Then once we start to THINK, we can begin to SEE. The seeing isn’t just literal…it’s spiritual. Seeing love is a choice. Two can look at the same situation and see completely different things. We can choose to see with love. The glass can always be half full. And even when it’s not we can find a way to appreciate the glass’ capacity to be full.
Once we think and see, we can then CHOOSE in any situation to act with LOVE over FEAR. What if we freed ourselves from the shackles of fear and began to truly choose love? How would we live differently? What would the world look like? Love is a choice we all have the privilege of making.
And finally…we can begin to BE LOVE. But what does it mean to “be love?”
Just look in the mirror.
YOU already are LOVE. There’s nothing else to try and be.
BE you. Be LOVE.
We need that now more than ever. Wayfarer Studios
