Leading Healthy Masculinity
This 3 day immersive ‘Bloke Skills’ leadership training weekend is for men committed to leading a change in culture.
Whether you’re a coach, teacher, youth worker, social worker, corporate leader, or simply a man who wants to break the cycle of unhealthy masculinity for future generations, this retreat is a rare opportunity to explore yourself as a leader of men or boys.
You will gain an deep understanding of how our culture of masculinity shapes our wellbeing and our behaviour towards others and leave with the skills and confidence to lead a better way of being for men and boys in your work, school, university, sports club, community group and family.
You will also build a network of solid men who will support you towards your goals and hold you to account to your commitments to yourself and to your community.
What it looks like
This training is for all men. We welcome a diverse group of men of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs and orientations.
3 days and 2 nights in comfortable shared accommodation with hearty nourishing food full of
Open and honest conversations around the campfire exploring masculinity, connection, impact and leadership.
Informative workshops learning leadership skills specific to creating a healthy culture of masculinity.
Opportunities to practice skills in supporting others, holding others to account, creating space for deeper conversations and influencing group culture.
Time to reflect on your personal journey, leadership and impact.
Some laughter and downtime to connect.
Support in keeping the group connected and accountable after the training.
All of our programs are strictly free from mobile phones, computer screens and alcohol.
“I’ve done a lot of different workshops and retreats, and this retreat really felt like a giant boulder dropped into the middle of as huge pond and I’m still feeling the ripples. I’ve learnt a lot and I’m having more realisations day by day. It’s been incredible how much it’s impacted, and continues to positively impacted my life.”
“This retreat has changed me as a leader, as a manager, as an employer but most importantly, it’s changed me as a father and husband.”
“I know how to make change in my workplace now”
“This training has completely changed my perspective on organisational leadership, coaching and mentoring from focussing only on work related aspects towards understanding the whole person.”
“The retreat gave me the gift of time to realign with the values that matter to me in all parts of life. Professionally it reignited my desire to continue to work with young people and help them be better prepared for the world. As a pastoral leader, the skills of the retreat have flowed onto my everyday conversations with students and parents.”
The Content
Day One
We build a community by sharing a meal and clarifying our intentions for the retreat.
There’s a workshop unpacking our broader culture of masculinity and exploring in detail how it impacts men’s wellbeing, behaviour and relationships.
We go for a cruisy walk through the bush and have some rich and rewarding conversations that give us a deeper understanding of the myriad of challenges that men face as leaders.
We begin to explore the ‘Bloke Skills’ that many men in our community are lacking. Starting with how to get blokes talking and how to get blokes to flex their listening skills.
We gather around the fire for a radically different conversation about manhood. We hear from a diverse group of men on how our culture has impacted each of us personally. We talk about the things we might be able to take responsibility for in leading change.
Day one is an amazing opportunity to deeply understand masculinity within ourselves and to hear a range of other blokes’ experiences.
Day Two
We explore connection, community, leadership and impact.
We start with a workshop digging in to the 3 levels of connection that are neurological needs fo all humans. We flesh out why so many blokes are isolated and what we can do to drive stronger connections for all humans in our workplaces, homes and communities back at home.
We lean further in to ‘Bloke Skills’ in workshops designed to strengthen our confidence in intervening when a bloke might be struggling.
We practice how to move from being a bystander to being an ‘upstander’ when another man’s behaviour is impacting others.
We look at different perspectives on masculinity and leadership and explore ourselves as leaders by spending some structured contemplation time in nature considering the impact we want to create in our personal and professional lives.
There’s a workshop where peers encourage us to lean further into leadership and consider what impact is possible back at home.
There’s free time to chill out off the grid amongst the trees and to connect with other good blokes.
We gather around the fire again to lean into another honest conversation about obstacles to leadership and accountability.
Day Three
We explore action, accountability commitments.
There’s activities to clarify what kind of change we are committed to, and clarifying goals aligned to our values.
We create a plan for action and explore how men often struggle with self care and establishing healthy habits.
We learn about supportive accountability and how to effectively and empathetically hold other men to account to the best version of themselves.
We explore our strengths and how they might be useful in driving change.
We close by putting plans in place for how we can support each other to put the theory into practice after the retreat.
Day three is a golden opportunity to solidify the learnings and establish network of men committed to a better way to bloke.
“I can say that the retreat was a life-changing experience... because it was.”
“Since the Good Blokes Retreat, I’ve felt like I’ve had a new cohort that have got my back and it’s wonderful. It’s nice being able to share some wins, but the ability to put my hand up and say ‘I’m struggling’ with the knowledge that there are blokes that will listen and support me is pretty life changing.”
“ The most rewarding and positive experience I have done with other men. Freedom to grow amongst other great men”
“Amazing event with heaps of value”
“I highly recommend Good Blokes Co men’s retreat for any bloke who is looking to grow and become a become a better father, husband, friend, brother, son and bloke.”
“I feel supported, connected and worthy. I feel ok just being me - and I haven’t felt like this around blokes - ever.”
“I feel on purpose, connected to myself and my community. I’m standing more comfortably in my own skin. And that will make me a much better leader.”
“Just being in a group of men who want themselves and other men to do good in their community was the highlight.”
““An amazing opportunity to reconnect with nature, humanity and myself. I feel so energised and supported to take this back into my community and I learnt so much about myself and other men.””
“Outstanding value. Amazing event that should be greatly demanded.”
“The Good Blokes Retreat provides the right space to have an easy conversation about the things that blokes typically have a very hard time talking about. There is not a man who would not benefit from having access to this to either help himself, or being there for another bloke. This is what the future for healthy blokes, brothers, sons and most importantly fathers looks like. It’s easier to keep a boy whole than trying to repair a broken one.”
“Thanks Mikey and all you good blokes for one of the best experiences ever! So glad I went.”
FAQs
Where and when is it?
Head to our events page for a list of our upcoming Good Blokes retreats.
Why no alcohol and phones?
No phones, no alcohol, no routines, no emails, no notifications and not having to be the boss actually helps us to get really present, to think about things differently and have the real conversations that don't normally happen.
We create a different environment we create and the sense of separation from our regular routines that allows us to reconsider who we want to become as men.
Who is it for?
The retreat is both a personal and a professional development training. Typically we have a range of men, some of whom are there to add another lens of understanding to their work as a leader, manager, teacher, coach, trainer, counsellor and some who just want to be a better man for the benefit of their family, their mates or their community. It’s a place for blokes who see that our current mode of operating is not working. It’s for men who want to be part of a community of blokes who are committed to change.
Is it inclusive?
Yes! Any adult who identifies as a man is welcome. Men of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions… any man is welcome. If you have questions about this, please shoot us an email.
Is this a religious thing?
Nope. The only message we push is that the world will be a better place for everyone when blokes have more opportunities to really connect with other blokes talk about what’s important. Our camps are open to any man, regardless of beliefs and backgrounds.
Limited spaces!
These retreats always sell out. If you’re keen to join us, book your place now!
