Grounded Masculinity with Sam Adams

This week’s guest is Sam Adams, a men and masculinity coach and trainer with over 20 years of experience supporting men through life’s challenges.

Sam runs regular events designed to equip men with practical tools to navigate the ups and downs of modern life — from emotional resilience and identity to relationships and purpose. His work centres on cultivating healthy masculinity rooted in strength, accountability, and connection.

A father based in Somerset, Sam brings a unique perspective shaped by spending much of his childhood in Africa, experiences that deeply influenced his understanding of culture, community, and manhood.

Alongside his coaching work, he also runs a local garden landscaping business — keeping him grounded in practical, hands-on work and everyday life.

In this episode, we explore:

What healthy masculinity looks like in practice

Why men need tools — not just talk — to navigate life

The importance of grounded leadership in fatherhood

How culture and upbringing shape our identity as men

Balancing purpose-driven work with everyday responsibility

Sam’s philosophy: “Healthy masculinity isn’t about being louder or tougher — it’s about being steady.” This conversation is a reminder that strength can be quiet, growth can be practical, and masculinity can be both grounded and deeply intentional.

Links

Website: www.liberatingmasculinity.co.uk

March event: https://liberatingmasculinity.co.uk/the-gathering-spring

Supplement: https://www.truuman.io

Non Profit: https://www.thefoundrycic.org.uk

Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/lewishackney

Redefining the Alpha with Tiarnan McCarthy

This week’s guest is Tiarnan McCarthy, a men’s performance and mindset coach and the founder of Redefining the Alpha a movement challenging outdated ideas of masculinity and replacing them with strength rooted in self-awareness, discipline, and purpose.

Tiarnan works with men and young men across schools, community organisations, live events, and coaching spaces, creating honest conversations that cut through surface-level motivation and get to the real drivers behind anxiety, self-destructive behaviour, and unrealised potential.

His approach blends physical training, mindset work, and community, helping men build identity and leadership from the inside out.

In this episode, we explore:

What “alpha” really means in the modern world

The root causes of anxiety and self-sabotage in young men

Why physical training and mental resilience go hand in hand

Building leadership, discipline, and self-belief through community

Tiarnan’s philosophy: “Strength isn’t domination — it’s direction.”

This conversation is for men who feel stuck between who they are and who they know they could be, and for anyone invested in helping the next generation of young men step forward with clarity and confidence.

Redefining the Alpha: https://www.instagram.com/redefining_the_alpha/

Alpha Male Coaching: https://www.instagram.com/alphamale_coaching/

Podcast / event links : https://www.youtube.com/@Redefiningthealpha

Supplement: https://www.truuman.io

Non Profit: https://www.thefoundrycic.org.uk

Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/lewishackney

This week’s guest is Valentin Moyo, a speaker, trainer, and men’s mental health coach who made the bold decision to leave a career in law to dedicate his life to helping men heal. Known for his powerful tagline — “I left law to help men cry” — Valentin is at the forefront of redefining masculinity in a way that centres emotional honesty, depth, and growth.

Through his work, Valentin facilitates raw, transformative conversations that invite men to explore their inner worlds, develop emotional intelligence, and challenge long-held beliefs about what strength really means. His approach is grounded, courageous, and deeply human — creating spaces where vulnerability becomes a pathway to resilience rather than a weakness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why emotional suppression is costing men their wellbeing
• What it really means to be emotionally intelligent as a man
• Leaving “successful” careers in search of meaningful purpose
• How redefining strength can transform relationships, work, and self-worth

Valentin’s mission:

“Real strength isn’t about holding it together — it’s about having the courage to feel.”

This episode is a powerful invitation for men to reconnect with their emotions, challenge outdated norms, and step into a more authentic version of themselves.

LinkedIn - Valentin Moyo

Tik Tok - @menarehumantoo

Podcast - Men are human Too - https://open.spotify.com/show/3pnekgTcUNl43y3kjIhPSs?si=rVuxvp4cTLKghE6FUvQHvw

https://truuman.io/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

This week’s guest is Alejandro Sanchez, the Human Rights Lead at the National Secular Society — an NGO campaigning for a fair and open society where people of all religions and none can live together as equal citizens.

Alejandro’s work focuses on protecting children’s bodily autonomy, particularly boys, from medically unnecessary circumcision. His advocacy has been featured in major outlets including The Sunday Times, The Mirror, the British Medical Journal, Community Care, and UnHerd — bringing much-needed attention to a topic that often sits at the crossroads of ethics, religion, and human rights.

Before joining the National Secular Society, Alejandro worked as a medical doctor in the NHS and holds an MA in Medical Ethics and Law from King’s College London — a background that gives him a uniquely informed perspective on both the clinical and ethical dimensions of this issue.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The ethical and human rights implications of non-therapeutic circumcision
• Why protecting boys’ bodily autonomy matters
• The tension between religious freedom and child protection
• How the UK can move toward a more rights-based approach for all children

Alejandro’s mission:

“Every child — regardless of culture or faith — deserves the right to make their own choices about their body.”

This conversation dives deep into ethics, consent, and compassion — exploring how we can balance tradition with the fundamental rights of children to grow up free from harm.

https://truuman.io/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://www.secularism.org.uk/uploads/ntmc-briefing-note.pdf?v=1760021008

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/religious-circumcision-potentially-lethal-campaigners-say-s7zwdknhj

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/content/news/non-therapeutic-circumcision-of-boys-is-a-safeguarding-concern

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/exposed-horrors-ritual-circumcision-baby-28990951

Men's Circles with Pasco Ashton This week’s guest is Pasco Ashton, Founder and CEO of Men’s Circle, an international network dedicated to men’s wellness, emotional intelligence, and authentic connection.

After losing two close friends to suicide, Pasco realised how deeply men struggle with isolation and emotional expression — including himself.

What began as a small, informal men’s circle with friends in London during the summer of 2020 has since evolved into a global movement.

Today, Men’s Circle has trained over 55 facilitators who lead peer-mentoring spaces where men can openly explore manhood, masculinity, and mental wellbeing.

More than 1,000 men have participated in these circles, finding community, vulnerability, and strength through shared experience.

In this episode, we discuss:

The story behind the creation of Men’s Circle

Why men’s spaces are vital for emotional resilience and growth

How vulnerability and brotherhood can save lives

The tools and mindset needed to lead meaningful men’s groups

Pasco’s philosophy: “When men meet in honesty, they find connection. When they find connection, they find healing.” Pasco’s mission is clear "to equip men everywhere with the tools and confidence to build strong, authentic communities of their own. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the cure for isolation isn’t found in silence it’s found in brotherhood."

Links:

https://www.menscircle.club

https://www.menscircle.club/train

https://www.instagram.com/beingpasco

https://truuman.io/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

Building Mental Fitness with Gavin Thrope

Joining us this week is Gavin Thrope, co-founder of Talk Club and a fully qualified Person-Centred Integrative Counsellor. Gavin is on a mission to change the way men approach mental health in the UK. Through Talk Club, Gavin helps men build mental fitness, not just mental health awareness.

Their unique approach encourages men to check in honestly with themselves — asking questions like, “How are you? Out of 10?” — and then unpacking why. This simple yet powerful method has been shown to increase resilience, understanding, and emotional wellbeing for men across the country.

In this conversation, we explore: How Talk Club is transforming the conversation around male mental health The concept of “mental fitness” and why it matters Practical strategies men can use to understand and manage their emotions Stories of transformation and resilience from the Talk Club community

Gavin’s philosophy:

“Talking isn’t a weakness. It’s how men train their minds.”

“Mental fitness is something you can build, track, and strengthen — just like your body.”

This episode is a must-listen for any man who wants to be stronger, more resilient, and in control of his mental wellbeing.

More

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinthorpetherapy/

https://talkclub.org/

https://www.instagram.com/talkclubcharity/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lewis-hackney

From Trauma to Triumph with Ryan Harland

This week, we’re joined by Ryan Harland a mental health advocate, author, and speaker whose work is helping men confront their pain and reclaim their lives. Ryan is the author of Riding the Storm, a powerful memoir that traces his journey through trauma, abuse, and mental health struggles and the inner work it took to move from survival to self-leadership. Rather than hiding his story, Ryan uses it as a catalyst for connection. His mission is to break the silence around men’s trauma, challenge stigma, and show that healing is not only possible, it’s powerful.

In this conversation, we explore:

Ryan’s lived experience of trauma and recovery

How writing his memoir became part of the healing journey

Why so many men suffer in silence

The importance of storytelling in breaking stigma

Tools and insights for anyone navigating their own storm

Ryan’s message:

“Your past may shape you, but it doesn’t get to define you.”

“Silence is where trauma thrives, conversation is where healing begins.”

“We don’t need men to be fearless. We need them to be honest.”

This episode is a must-listen for anyone facing their own battles and for those who want to better understand the unseen struggles so many men carry.

More from Ryan:

https://amzn.eu/d/iKgrjky

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-harlanduk/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lewis-hackney

https://truuman.io/30-days/

Redefining Masculinity Through Therapy & Conversation with Chris Hemmings This week on The TRUUMAN Podcast, we sit down with Chris Hemmings — a therapist, coach, journalist, and one of the UK’s leading voices on modern masculinity and men’s mental health. Chris is the founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, the UK’s only directory dedicated to helping men find male therapists. After years of struggling to connect with traditional therapy spaces, Chris recognised the need for approaches built by men, for men — and he set out to change the system. Before becoming a therapist, Chris spent years as a BBC journalist, creating documentaries and articles around men’s mental health, masculinity, and societal pressures. His work led him into schools, prisons, and boardrooms — uncovering the silent struggles so many men carry. He’s also the founder of M-Path, an organisation delivering live talks and workshops in schools across the country, helping boys and young men understand what it really means to be a man — beyond the old narratives of toughness, silence, and suppression.

In this episode, we dive into:

Why so many men avoid therapy — and how to change that The growing demand for male therapists for male clients

What Chris has learned after speaking to thousands of boys in schools

The fine line between healthy masculinity and harmful conditioning How journalism, therapy, and mentorship all blend into his mission

Chris says:

“Men don’t need fixing — they need spaces that understand them.”

“When boys don’t learn how to talk about emotions, they grow into men who feel like they’re not allowed to.”

“If men had better role models and better outlets, society would change overnight.”

Connect with Chris:

https://menstherapyhub.co.uk/

https://m-path.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hemmings-03964054/

https://www.instagram.com/lewishackney/

https://thefoundrycic.org.uk/

https://truuman.io/30-days/

This conversation is for men who want to talk, men who don’t know how to talk, and everyone who cares about changing the story around masculinity.