Jeff Craven
Contributing Writer
Attending The Art of Masculinity was a transformative journey—a wake-up call to shed
old, self-limiting beliefs and step into a deeper, truer version of manhood. The weekend
cracked open the veneer I had built up over years of judgment, fear, and performance. It
wasn’t just about hearing powerful words from the leaders, men like Stan Snow and Matt Lyons; it
was about experiencing a brotherhood where truth was spoken heart to heart, where
honor and vulnerability intertwined.
One of the most profound lessons I learned was that masculinity is not about
bravado – it’s about authenticity. In our society, men are often trapped in what I now
call The Show, a façade we create to avoid facing our inner fears, doubts, and
failures. The Art of Masculinity (TAOM) taught me that real strength lies not in the show but in dropping the
mask, owning my story, and being willing to stand in my truth.
There was a moment, late into the night, when I felt a shift. As we stood there – men of
different backgrounds, generations, and wounds – we looked each other in the eye. Not
with judgment, but with deep recognition. It wasn’t about who had the loudest voice or
the toughest exterior. It was about the courage to be seen and the willingness to
witness others without fixing or diminishing their experiences.
“I realized that the acceptance I was waiting for from the world
was already here, in the eyes of the men standing beside me.”
In those moments I felt the true camaraderie of masculine connection. No pretense,
no performance – just men showing up for one another, listening without interruption,
holding space for the hard truths, and offering the kind of trust and presence that has
been missing from so many of our lives. We shared our fears, failures, and the moments
when we lost sight of who we truly are. And through that sharing, we found something
even more profound: a collective strength born from shared vulnerability and
relentless honesty.
The Art of Masculinity wasn’t just a weekend; it was an invitation to step
into the arena of life with a clear heart and a firm purpose.
I learned that my deepest fear – fear of never feeling truly accepted or loved – was not just a personal wound, but a universal one among men. And the remedy wasn’t to armor up or withdraw, but to lean in, to share, and to trust that in the company of honorable men, I am seen, valued, and capable of reclaiming my power.
This journey was not just about me – it was about becoming the man the world needs. A man of integrity, courage, and compassion. A man who listens not to fix, but to witness. A man who stands shoulder to shoulder with others, facing the fire of truth and emerging stronger for it.
The Art of Masculinity wasn’t just a weekend; it was an invitation to step into the arena of life with a
clear heart and a firm purpose. And for that, I am forever grateful to the men who
stood with me in the light of that fire.