The Male Stylist

My Fitness Journey – Part 1: Decisions & Mentality

Fitness Part 1

In June last year I was becoming a bit deflated with my gym routine. I felt like I needed a new structure and approach to my workouts and my results had stagnated in recent months. I spent the next few days reaching out across Twitter, trying to get advice and recommendations on personal trainers/workout plans to start incorporating into my weekly routine. One of the most interesting and constructive responses came from a man called Chris (@LiftingToLive) on Twitter, who asked me a great deal of questions about what I was doing, what I really wanted out of this and what my diet looked like on a weekly basis.

He asked me to be as honest as I could be, both with myself and with him, as the only way for him to get an idea of where I was struggling was to talk about what I was having issues with and where I felt I was lacking. Within a week, he had delivered a full workout plan, alongside a basic diet spec and some key elements to focus on. He even came down to London for a workout session to give me some tips on technique and advice on what I should be focusing on with each workout. However, the main thing he told me to do was to start getting my mind in the right place for this new structure and it’s only now that I look back, I can see what he was talking about. Today, I wanted to share with you my tips on what I did to adjust to my new lifestyle and how I changed my mindset to more positively focus on my fitness goals. View Post

Guys, We Need To Be Better…

Time's Up - 1

#MeToo, Time’s Up & Men

The end of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 will likely be remembered for the issues raised around sexual abuse in Hollywood. From the Harvey Weinstein scandal and #MeToo, through Kevin Spacey and his fall from the Hollywood elite to the explosion of the “Time’s Up” movement introduced by Oprah Winfrey in her Golden Globes speech, the public has seen the predatory actions and sexually oppressive behaviour of men come back to haunt them. It would be a mistake to think that we are even close to the end of all this. Instead it is the beginning of a long-overdue rebalancing, helping women gain their voice and position in modern society as well as hopefully closing the gender gap that is still present in 2018.

However, among the plethora of headlines, interviews and social media debates something has felt ever-present when reading between the lines. A truth about men that needs to be said every day to every man until we eradicate this kind of behaviour. We, as a gender, NEED to be better…
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5 Things To Remember on #WorldMentalHealthDay

#WorldMentalHealthDay

World Mental Health Day is a chance for everyone to foster a conversation that promotes positive change, in both attitudes and support, for those who suffer from mental health issues as well as bring the issue to the forefront of society’s mind. Everyone has been or will be affected by mental health issues in some way during their life. Whether it affects a friend or family member, is an emotionally turbulent period or a chronic issue that has become a permanent part of your everyday life, mental health is a universal part of society. However, the dialogue around mental health is rarely commonplace and is often ushered, given little spotlight or kept to the more niche areas of the internet. Today, I want to talk about some pieces of advice that have helped me through difficult times when it has come to my own mental health and that of the people I love. You are not alone in this fight and everyone needs to get involved in the discussion. View Post

Why You Should Be A Good Guy Instead Of A Nice Guy

Good Guys vs Nice Guys

“Nice guys finish last” is a common trope heard from men complaining that many people they desire go for “bad boys” or men who don’t treat their partners properly. However, one of the main issues with this attitude is the suggestion that a man is only being a “nice guy” for his own gain – usually romantic. What this phrase is actually trying to do is to encourage empathy for men who attempt to be nice for personal gain, whilst condemning the recipient of this “nice” behaviour for not appreciating it. Today I want to talk about why you shouldn’t be a nice guy, should instead aspire to be a good guy and why ensuring there is a clear distinction between each of these is important. View Post

The Barber: Stylist, Grooming Expert & Therapist?

Barber Therapist - 1

A few weeks back, I was invited by Drakes of London to go in for a haircut and to sample their services. Traditionally, I tend to review these places based on the decor, atmosphere, service and pricing as well as extras like staff friendliness and grooming ranges. However, during this appointment I had an experience that I had never come across before, one that forced me to reflect on my own achievements, insecurities and future plans. It wasn’t so much a haircut with a smile, as a haircut with a friend and it got me thinking about how often men can turn to barbers to vent their emotions and frustrations… View Post