Navigating Masculinity and Overcoming Shame with Alex Holmes
Description
Quote
Leadership is not about managing others, its about leading, guiding and mentoring wholeheartedly. - Alex Holmes
Who is Alex Holmes?
Alex is an award-winning podcaster and journalist, a millennial man of Caribbean descent, born and raised in London. He spent most of his early twenties traveling, which helped him to approach life with curiosity and taught him valuable lessons. However, upon returning to the UK, Alex found himself lacking friends, having to move back in with his parents and starting a new career as a journalist. He experienced covert racism in his job and felt alienated, which affected his confidence and self-esteem. Feeling lonely and depressed, Alex went to therapy and learned to rewrite his narrative and become his own friend.
Alex worked as a journalist for five years before training as a health coach and then as a therapist to help others with their emotional well-being. He is an avid Harry Potter fan and uses its themes in his therapeutic work. His interest in psychology comes from his experience as a Black man in the UK navigating complex relationships. Alex started the Mindful Man Podcast and founded The Mindful Man to communicate his ideas about mental and physical health and emotional well-being. He invites others to join him on this journey and to meet him where they are.
Alex Holmes Journey to Self-Discovery
Alexs work aims to help men overcome the societal expectations and myths surrounding masculinity, which can hinder emotional connection. He is the author of "Time To Talk: How Men Think About Love, Belonging, and Connection" and hosts the You Should Probably Read This podcast which suggests books to improve mental health.
His approach involves existential philosophy, which emphasizes personal agency, freedom, and authenticity. Bibliotherapy and mindfulness techniques are also used to help clients reconnect with their true selves, improve emotional intelligence, and achieve a sense of purpose.
Alexs work has been featured in various media outlets, including British GQ, The Metro, Happiful, The Guardian, and The Good Men Project.
Key Leadership learning moments (timestamps)
00:02:53 :17 - Alex's Childhood
00:08:32 :11 - Alex's Aha Moment
00:11:46 :10- Alex Breaking the Status Quo!
00:14:55 :15 - Definition of Masculinity
00:20:26 :03 - Andrew Tate/Jordan Peterson
00:22:20 :09 - Pain Points of Men
00:27:26 :09- Men and relationship with Shame
00:32:02 :08 - Expectations vs Realities of Men
00:39:16 :23 - Navigating Being Black in Journalism
00:45:16 :03 - Self-Doubt Brewed by Toxic Environment
00:49:54 :16 - Pivotal Moment in Alex's Career
00:55:15 :11 - Imperfection & Worthiness of Men
01:03:55 :16 - Understanding Men's Internal Struggles
01:13:21 :10 - Definition of Leadership
Alexs links:
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