Understanding Men

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by Simon Dent, aka the ‘Ultra Entrepreneur’.Over the last 20 years, Simon has been a highly successful entrepreneur. He set up and sold a talent management business and more recently did the same with a company called Dark Horses, which in 2019 was voted the 5th fastest growing creative advertising agency in the world. Prior to this, Simon started a sports memorabilia shop in Covent Garden which he sold to The British Sports Museum; and set up a publishing company called Libros International that had two Sunday Times best sellers. In recent years Simon has become an investor working with The Urban Journal, Urban Legend and Palmarae Gin. Outside of being an entrepreneur Simon is a passionate ultra runner. In 2023, he completed the infamous Marathon Des Sables at the age of 46; and this year he is racing the Dragon's Back, the toughest mountain Ultra in the world. A 390km race from north to south Wales. Simon will be raising funds for the charities - Greenhouse Sports & Dallaglio Rugby Works.Through this episode, Simon details his story; outlining his early experiences struggling with his mental health, becoming an entrepreneur and abandoning his original career path, the importance of preserving one's health and learning to push his limits through becoming an ultramarathon runner. Simon also shares the ups and downs of competing in the infamous Marathon Des Sables, and how he believes hitting rock bottom allowed him to find more purpose in life. If you'd like to donate to Simon's fundraising page for the Dragon's Back head to https://www.justgiving.com/page/simon-dents-dragons-back-raceLuke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss failure. Looking back at instances in their lives which they then viewed as failures, they show the importance of failure as a means to learn and grow. They also highlight how the mindset of not wanting to fail can be helpful in delivering a good performance, but can be an unsustainable way to live long-term. Luke and Fraser also explore the idea of a fear of success, and how fear of a good or bad outcome can result in someone never stepping out of their comfort zone. They address how failure is often a key part of some of the most significant moments of our lives and highlight how embracing the emotion can allow us to learn and therefore achieve. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @understandingmenpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser explore uncertainty. Highlighting the importance of tolerating uncertainty that was key to their recovery journey, they share the practices they have in place that enable them to stay present and embrace the possibilities of each day. They discuss the joy, hope and excitement that uncertainty can bring, and how often the best thing that one can do is focus on the current moment and then go from there. They also highlight how gaining perspective and caring less about an outcome can lead you to be able to live more freely. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by award-winning stand-up comedian, number 1 bestselling author and presenter, Dave Chawner. Dave struggled with anorexia for nearly 10 years before seeking treatment, made worse by the fact he found it difficult to explain what was going on. Since then he has used the tools at his disposal to help him understand, accept and explain his eating disorder. He now teaches other people through his brilliant 6-week course, Comedy for Coping, to sensitively use humour to inform, educate & entertain to change the tone of the mental health conversation to one of optimism, hope and enjoyment.Through the episode, Dave details his story with anorexia, about when he knew it had become a problem, addresses common misconceptions around anorexia and tells the guys what made him finally seek medical advice. Drawing similarities with addiction, Luke, Fraser and Dave talk about how isolation can worsen these issues, and address the non-linear path of recovery. If you'd like to find out more about Dave's work, head to www.davechawner.co.uk and www.comedyforcoping.comTrigger warning: This episode includes conversations around eating disorders and suicide, which some individuals may find distressing. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by former English teacher and middle leader Mike Nicholson. Mike has a wide range of experience across the educational spectrum and early in his career developed a reputation for his ability to have a positive impact on boys and young men deemed ‘difficult’ and ‘challenging’. Mike developed and delivers the Progressive Masculinity Program which aims to give young men the freedom and confidence to reconstruct a healthier and more open-minded understanding of what it can mean to be ‘a man’.Through the episode, Mike, Luke and Fraser discuss the positive impact of male role models, the importance of male-female allyship, misconceptions around masculinity and the negative impact of pornography and social media. Alongside this, Mike highlights the significance of modelling language and communication for young men and how parents can approach difficult conversations around body image and consent.If you'd like to find out more about Mike's work, head to progressivemasculinity.co.uk Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the pressures that men may feel around their physical appearance. Addressing the change in beauty standards over the years, and also the increased access to cosmetic procedures, both of them share instances where they have become more conscious of how they look, and how they wish to present themselves to the world. Breaking down the idea of the (potentially) inevitable 'dad bod' and what health and wellness actually looks like, they discuss the role of social media, not only on the expectations around male and female bodies, but also as a tool for information around fitness and self development. Finally, they talk about the use of steroids, and how misuse of these substances can lead to poor mental and physical health. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the role of community in our lives, and share how it's helped them throughout difficult periods in their lives, including addiction and poor health. Drawing on the evolutionary purpose of community, they discuss why groups of people are so often and easily driven apart by difference of opinion, and address communities that emerge to take advantage of vulnerable people. They also talk about the importance of community as we age, and how they regularly feel the positive effect of community on their own mental health. Finally, they discuss the role of social media in creating new and instant community, and how this has been both positive and negative in equal measure. Trigger warning: This episode includes conversations around suicide, which some individuals may find distressing. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the much debated and somewhat maligned ‘man flu’. Is it a real illness? Is it an overreaction to a regular cold or flu? Do men really suffer more than women? Discussing studies on the difference in severity of illness and also attitudes towards health in both men and women, Luke and Fraser address societal expectations around sickness which can often lead to worse outcomes for both genders. Alongside this they also highlight the effect of not only periods, but also pre menstrual syndrome and pre menstrual dysphoric disorder on the lives of women, and discuss how best both men and women can effectively support one and other in difficult and uncomfortable times. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discuss the idea of 'midlife crisis'. Breaking down the subject and addressing misconceptions around it, they look into the reasons why someone may want to change or address the way they live their life, and how this may end up alienating people around them. They also wonder if a 'midlife crisis' is someone living more authentically, or if it's an attempt to break free of societal expectation. Finally, they discuss the impact both marriage and children has on a 'midlife crisis', whether due to a perceived lack of purpose or a feeling of being stagnant. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by former BBC Correspondent and now parenting coach Rachel Richards. Rachel co-hosts the podcast 'Teenagers Untangled', which she describes as ‘an audio hug for parents going through the teenage years'. Within their discussion, Rachel, Luke and Fraser cover a number of subjects including fearless parenting, navigating parenting in the digital age, dealing with lack of communication and breaking generational cycles. Alongside this they also discuss the role that expectation plays in parenting, and the ongoing contradiction of wanting to protect your child from pain. If you'd like to find out more about Rachel's work, head to teenagersuntangled.com or alternatively contact her via email at teenagersuntangled@gmail.comLuke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and see more on YouTube here; youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are answering your burning questions! This week we handed over the agenda to our wonderful listeners, and let them ask Luke and Fraser anything (within reason of course!) that was on their mind.Addressing subjects such as addiction, sobriety, spirituality and pride, the guys share wisdom and advice from their own personal journeys and explore new topics not yet spoken about on the podcast. Saving perhaps the best question for last, they also share how they might decide to embark on a musical career, that is if the podcasting doesn’t work out…Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser discover and explore the subject of 'weaponised incompetence'. They address the environments where it may occur, including in the home, between family members and within business, and wonder if they've ever been guilty of playing into their incompetencies. They also discuss whether both men and women can employ weaponised incompetence to avoid doing tasks they don't particularly like or find difficult to complete, and question if the portrayal of men in the media has played into this. Finally, they highlight the importance of healthy relationships and open communication in order to avoid prolonged resentment.Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the newest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by certified Breathwork Coach, prominent mental health advocate and NACOA ambassador Josh Connolly. Josh's mission centres on guiding individuals to gain a deeper insight into their own selves and emotions, fostering a connection with their intuition and body. Josh works with individuals and corporate organisations to gain a healthier understanding of what resilience truly means. In this discussion, Luke, Fraser and Josh discuss their sobriety journey, ask if people are born addicts, and address misconceptions around resilience and toxic parenting. Josh also talks at length about the lasting effect of having an alcoholic parent and how this continues to affect him today. Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and see more on YouTube here; youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by sports agent Gab Stone. Gab was one of the most successful sports agents in the UK, managing multiple Gold Medal winners at the London 2012 Olympics including Louis Smith and Nicola Adams. However, 5 years later in 2017, Gab was sentenced to 18 months in prison, admitting fraud after losing over £40,000 of Olympic Gold Medalist, Greg Rutherford's money due to a crippling gambling addiction. This is the first time that Gab has spoken publicly about his story, and details how he hid his addiction from family, friends and colleagues, how he initially succeeded in overcoming his addiction only to be coaxed back into it, and how he kept healthy habits in place to ensure he continued his recovery through and beyond prison. Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and see more on YouTube here; youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser talk jealousy, and share moments in their lives where it has manifested, including in relationships, rivalries and on the pitch. They discuss the purpose of jealousy, and wonder if it can motivate people to succeed or leave them feeling sad and envious. They talk about the importance of embracing a whole spectrum of emotions, and imagine a world where people might be more honest about the jealousy they experience. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser talk loneliness, and reflect on times throughout their lives where they have experienced it the most. They talk about the importance of sharing problems with others in order to feel a sense of belonging and community, and muse on the many approaches people may take to try to feel less alone. Finally, they ask the question if it's ever possible to never feel loneliness or if it is simply part of the human condition. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser take on the conversation of class, reflecting on their differing upbringings and how this has shaped their worldview. Covering subjects including schooling, family, motivations and ultimately their routes into professional sport, they question whether class has an effect on work ethic, or whether it can prove detrimental in certain fields. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Understanding Men, Luke and Fraser are joined by the UK’s leading Life Coach, No.1 Best-selling International Author of How To Do YOU and GQ Magazine’s resident coach and columnist, Jacqueline Hurst. Jacqueline is a Certified Life Coach, Master NLP Practitioner and a Certified Health and Weight Coach with over two decades experience in helping clients change their life through learning how to change their mindset.In this interview, Jacqueline talks about her personal experiences with addiction, the approach she takes with her clients and the issues she sees both male and female clients dealing with most often. Touching on relationships, success and resentment, she explains how a change of mindset can allow people to live more freely. Luke and Fraser want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and see more on YouTube here; youtube.com/@UnderstandingMenPod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the new episode of Understanding Men, inspired by comments made by Jordan Peterson, Luke and Fraser talk about fighting and physical ability. They question whether masculinity is dependent on strength and performance and ask how they would deal with a physical confrontation or altercation. Reflecting on their own capabilities which have changed through time, injury or illness, they wonder just how much fighting is a part of manhood. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Understanding Men, inspired by new years resolutions and good intentions, Luke and Fraser talk about the mindset, outlook and support networks they needed in order for them to make significant change in their lives. They also discuss some of the more sustainable ways to deal with issues such as alcoholism and addiction, and how honesty and accountability have helped them maintain those positive changes. Luke and Fraser also want to hear from you! Let us know the subjects you'd like to hear more about, and what would help you start having those difficult conversations. Follow us on TikTok and Instagram @understandingmenpod and YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.