Experience a ranch retreat like no other—a Western movie come to life, with an added emphasis on soul searching. In a captivating article by Rosecrans Baldwin for GQ, readers are given an intimate glimpse into the Confident Man Ranch Retreat. This unique four-day trip combines group therapy with authentic ranch activities such as horseback riding and campfires. Baldwin, along with many other attendees, found himself grappling with emotional issues in his marriage and delving deep into the societal influences that caused him to build emotional walls. This quest to explore masculinity lies at the core of the program’s treatment. NYU professor and podcaster Scott Galloway explains that without addressing these issues, men are at risk of falling further. He emphasizes the need for programs that foster empathy and redefine masculinity as something to be celebrated, rather than demeaned.
In the United States, heterosexual white men have historically enjoyed certain advantages. However, traditional notions of masculinity, such as stoicism, are facing challenges in today’s rapidly changing world. GQ highlights the toll that emotional hardships are taking on men, including rising rates of divorce (often initiated by women), depression, addiction, suicide, and loneliness. Additionally, men are experiencing a decline in labor force participation and college enrollment. Psychotherapist Esther Perel notes that masculinity is often framed as a duty, putting pressure on men to prove their manhood. Perel suggests that redefining masculinity is not a problem to be solved, but a paradox that must be managed.
The Confident Man Ranch Retreat was created by life coaches Tim Wade and Steve Horsmon, who met in a men’s group. The retreat combines equine therapy, a crucial element in building confidence, with empathy training to help participants who seek fulfillment in their lives and relationships (as stated on the retreat’s website). Since its inception in 2017, the retreat has consistently sold out its 10 subsequent sessions. As one participant reflects, “Life hasn’t become any easier, but being true to myself has become easier.” This program is part of a growing trend where men are actively exploring happiness, with the rise of men’s groups dedicated to addressing issues of loneliness and male identity. (Read more stories on masculinity.)
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