Busting ghosts ??

Is ghosting the new norm? Is now totally acceptable to ghost someone?

Be it in recruiting, sales, general business, selling your car, or contacting 'friends', it appears to be something of acceptable social behaviour.

I do not accept it. Do you?

Are we losing touch with the values passed down?

Thoughts, comments? I am keen to understand what is going on in the world.

Signed,

Abe Simpson

Announcement! Hit the reset button.

Super excited to announce the Mental Health Pack's very first Manpack Reset Retreat!!!

The Wolfpack. The Men Collective. The Blokes getaway. The Oh Man I Need a Break designed for me, and me alone group.

Ladies: No doubt there is a man in your life who needs, almost craves, this type of escape to realign their focus on themselves, their goals, their family, and their life.

Early birthday or Christmas present?

We are partnering with Steven Demedio and the team at Mind and Body Travel to deliver a first in our world of manhoodness.

The ManPack Retreat 24 will be at O'Reilly's in the serene Gold Coast hinterland in June!

SERENITY NOW!!!

What to Expect:

• Immerse yourself in an environment tailored to reset you and reignite your inner wolf. (yeah we heard it...a bit of OTT, but you get the point)
• Connect with like-minded men. Belonging, real belonging. Not some airy fairy bullsh*t you read in a Men's Health magazine.
• Embrace the fire, the essence of Manness and reclaim what truly matters to you. Truly truly matters to you. YOU, not the expectations of others.
• Great food. Exceptional environment. Solid conversation around a campfire. Reconnecting with you and some normal blokes like you.
• ??A fire ??- a big mother of a campfire to help you gather your thoughts and help get it all out. But only if you want to. No pressure. Sit and lurk and listen if you reset that way. No judgement here, mate.
• Hiking in the great outdoors - early. You will earn the food and a rest afterwards.
• Absolutely NO nakedness and hand holding singing kumbaya in a creek!
• Ice bath. Yep. An ice bath to help you cross the fear bridge into a new world of realising your inner wolf and letting the beast out.
• A free My Pack shirt to wear whilst at the retreat. Likely a wee bit stinky by Friday arvo...hello Biozet!

Activities & Workshops:

• Ever tried meditation? Let's try something new and give you some guided meditation and mindfulness sessions to quiet the man-mind and find your lost inner-kid who once wore a footy jersey as formal wear.
• We will have safe, open, and optional group discussions and bonding activities to foster connections and a sense of mennunity (made up word for community of men).
• You time. Time to wander off and go sit by yourself near a stream, the falls, some trees, a mob of kangaroos resting, or whatever you want to deliver you some quality 'man time' by yourself. Just not on your device in your room. We will even give you a moleskin journal for reflective exercises to help you realign with your values and goals.
• Absolutely no d!ckheads allowed!

Why Attend?

Well, as blokes we have a lot on our minds, yeah?

Being a dad, a worker/leader, husband, boyfriend, friend, and wondering where the hell we fit in this world. Be it as a a counsellor to our mates/partner/kids (or dogs!). We have a lot of sh*t swimming around our heads. Yes?

So, our plan for you in designing this ManPack retreat, is we offer you a rare chance to pause, reflect, and chart a course towards a more fulfilling existence as a man, man.

It's time to prioritise you. YOU. And reconnect with your inner compass, and belong to a supportive community of fellow men on this path of life.

Oh and the food. OMG THE FOOD!!!! Chef inspired meals - including handmade pizza by the campfire!

When is it?

?? Date: 5pm Wednesday 12th to Friday 14th June

?? Location: O'Reilly's, Gold Coast Hinterland

?? Cost: $1,799 (others charge much more, but given it is our first, you get to enjoy a discounted rate - boom! Payment options available.)

?? Spaces: 8-10 only

Spaces are limited to just 8-10 blokes. Maybe bring a mate, or your brother?

You have the option to extend your break retreat and invite your family for the Friday night if you want.

More info available if you want to learn more or to talk through it. I am right here on 0402 403 286 or the link to book is here --> ManPack 24!

Let's do this, men.

Let's. Do. This.

Man O'Clock Podcast

The mic is taking a break this week, but we will be back next week with a very special guest and a lady who actively supports men in their quest to be men.

Stay tuned! We are excited!

Our session with Sloan Wilkins was a raging success. I am still receiving messages from listeners who really got a lot out of our interview. Thank you Sloan Wilkins yet again. Will definitely have you back on the show.

Vulnerability moment

Ever have weeks where the ball just doesn't roll? You just cant get moving?

This week was that week. Hence the newsletter out late!

The stars weren't aligning. Sleep wasn't coming my way. The car wasn't getting any interest from buyers. Clients missing sessions. Nothing seems to go right.

The remedy?

Off the grid.

In the car (which is for sale by the way) I jumped, and went to Mt Coottha and joined a mate for some time out with some wonderful folk. He needed an extra for a photoshoot. TBH, I didnt want to go. I felt miserable and very 'unphotoworthy'!

But, I pushed myself, called in and saw a great friend on the way, and had the best time in the 'jungle' for the shoot.

How many times has this happened to you? I rarely am disappointed when I do not want to go to an event and go anyway. 9/10 it turns out to be a great time!

Food for thought, yeah?

Ah Selena

I am a fan of Selena. Not so much her music (some great songs though), but her acting with Steve Martin and Martin Short in Only Murders In The Building. Love that show and the characters.

This week, however, her vulnerability and openness by using her profile to promote mental health came to the fore in a great article, which you can find here.

She talks opening about her battles which stem from a physical illness, Lupus.

American actor and singer Selena Gomez says she was initially "terrified" at the prospect of opening up about her mental health struggles.

By far the best quote from the article resonated on a huge level for me was "self-acceptance was not something that could be forced and she had to find her own way when she was ready".

Kudos to you, Selena Gomez . Kudos to you, girlfriend. Thank you for using your profile for good - which breaks the trend!

As always...

...if you need to talk, chat, cry, vent, decompress, or whatever, know that I am only a phone call away, or so many other organisations like below who are willing and able to support you.

You. Are. Not. Alone.

If you need someone to talk to, call:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36

Headspace on 1800 650 890

QLife on 1800 184 527

Later gators!