This talk explores how our identity is formed, and why understanding the underlying needs we all share is essential for fulfillment, self-respect, and self-worth. These are the foundations that build a more purpose-driven, emotionally regulated man.
My speech will focus on helping men understand themselves better—mentally and emotionally—just as they would physically, in pursuit of better health. Core needs such as significance, connection, community, direction, and purpose, if left unmet, often leave men feeling lost, unfulfilled, or disconnected from joy and meaning. This can open the door to deeper challenges later in life.
By addressing the root causes of these issues, we can prevent them from occurring—or at the very least, put clear preventative measures and effective solutions in place before crisis strikes. This talk will provide the clarity and understanding needed to navigate these inner dynamics and empower men to live with greater direction, meaning, and emotional wellbeing in today’s world.
One topic I’ll cover is the idea of core needs. These are non-negotiable human needs that must be met. Just like we need water, sleep, and food for our physical survival, we also have emotional and psychological needs—and most men either aren’t aware of them or don’t realise they’ve been neglecting them. When these needs go unmet, men often turn to unhealthy behaviours or distractions, leading to a life of quiet dissatisfaction, low vitality, and emotional drift. Over time, they become a lesser version of themselves, lacking direction, passion, and energy for life.
Some of the core needs we’ll explore include respect, recognition, significance, community, purpose, and direction. Pursuing these qualities and building them into your life creates the conditions for greater aliveness, happiness, satisfaction, and connection. I’ll explain why these needs matter, and how consciously fulfilling them serves as a powerful preventative strategy against feeling flat, aimless, or disconnected.
If time permits, I’ll also introduce the concept of the Four Lives we all live—and how reducing the separation between them allows us, as men, to receive more love, recognition, respect, and excitement from the world around us. In turn, this alignment helps fulfill our core needs in a lasting and sustainable way.