To: The Modern Man
From: Cam Russelle
Date: January 6th, 2025
Subject: The Manifesto: Why AboveMen Exists and What We Believe in
Modern men are adrift, disconnected from their primal essence and lost in a world that no longer supports their natural evolution. Strength has been traded for comfort, resilience for apathy, and purpose for distraction. Beneath the surface of our fast-paced, convenience-driven world lies a sobering truth: masculinity is in decline.
The numbers tell the story of a generation adrift. Suicide claims men at four times the rate of women. Testosterone levels have plummeted by 50% since the 1970s. Infertility, once rare, now affects one in four men. Nearly 27% of men under 30 have not engaged in sexual activity in over a year. And among college-aged men, the mental health landscape is bleak: nearly half report overwhelming anxiety, over a third experience depression so severe it’s difficult to function, and 11% have seriously considered ending their lives.
These statistics are not isolated incidents—they are the result of a generational erosion of masculine strength, vitality, and purpose. Many of our fathers and grandfathers were handed a flawed blueprint, one that emphasized survival over thriving, pleasure over purpose, and suppression over expression. The result? Generations of men emotionally closed off, physically weakened, and disconnected from their true potential.
This crisis did not appear overnight. It is the culmination of societal shifts that have systematically dismantled the foundations of masculinity. Industrialized and fast food diets have sapped our bodies of strength. Increased substance use, normalized over decades, has dulled our spirits. Mass media has filled our minds with distractions and unattainable ideals, pulling us away from purposeful living. Sedentary work and neglected health priorities have left us physically and mentally vulnerable. And evolving gender roles, while empowering to many, have left men searching for their place in a world that seems to no longer need them.
The result is clear: men today feel lost, disconnected, and powerless. The blueprint on how to be a strong masculine man has been destroyed. This is not a crisis of circumstance—it is a crisis of identity. But crises also present opportunities. Recognizing the depth of the problem is the first step in reclaiming what has been lost. The time has come to reject the flawed legacy of modern masculinity and forge a new path. The time has come for the rise of the AboveMan.
AboveMen rises in defiance of this reality. We reject the illusion that this state of existence is acceptable, inevitable, or irreversible. We believe it is time for men to reclaim their strength, vitality, and leadership. The world needs strong men now more than ever, not as overlords or oppressors but as guardians and creators, builders and visionaries. It is time to awaken the AboveMan—the man who lives with purpose, aligns his actions with his values, and strives for mastery in all areas of life.
The vision is clear: a world where men live fully actualized lives, embracing their role as leaders, protectors, and creators. This is not a call to return to outdated ideals of masculinity but a reimagining of what it means to be a man in the modern era. An AboveMan is not defined by brute strength alone, but by his mastery of body, mind, soul, and heart. He is a man who leads with integrity, loves with depth, and acts with clarity. He is a man who takes radical responsibility for his life, knowing that no one else will save him. He is a man who embraces discomfort as the forge of greatness and finds joy in the challenges that shape him.
At the core of this transformation lies the philosophy of AboveMen: that discipline is the ultimate form of freedom, that pain is the gateway to growth, and that brotherhood is the foundation of greatness. AboveMen do not seek shortcuts or quick fixes; they understand that mastery is a lifelong pursuit. They see challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities to strengthen their character and align more deeply with their purpose. They refuse to be victims of circumstance or products of a broken system. Instead, they take ownership of their reality, crafting lives that reflect their highest values and aspirations.
AboveMen live by a simple truth: energy is the foundation of everything. Without energy, nothing else is possible. Mastery of energy unlocks the capacity to thrive in work, relationships, and personal growth. Energy fuels the pursuit of excellence and provides the stamina to endure life’s inevitable hardships. To master energy is to master life itself. AboveMen cultivate this energy by aligning their lives with timeless principles of health and vitality. They reject the poisons of modernity—processed foods, toxic environments, and sedentary lifestyles—and instead embrace the practices that have sustained humanity for millennia. Through disciplined nutrition, movement, rest, and recovery, they build bodies that are temples of strength and vitality.
But energy alone is not enough. The mind must also be sharpened into a tool of precision and clarity. AboveMen recognize the dangers of living in a world bombarded by distractions and misinformation. They guard their mental space fiercely, cultivating focus and discipline in their thoughts as well as their actions. Solitude becomes a tool for introspection, creativity, and alignment. In a world where so many are overwhelmed by inputs, the AboveMan builds the capacity to filter what matters from what does not, ensuring his actions always align with his greater purpose.
Purpose itself is a cornerstone of the AboveMan’s life. He does not drift aimlessly, subject to the whims of others or the randomness of life. Instead, he anchors himself with a clear North Star—a guiding vision of who he wants to become and the impact he wants to create. Clarity is his defense against the chaos of modernity. By aligning his actions with his deepest values, the AboveMan ensures that every step he takes moves him closer to the life he is meant to live. He does not seek perfection but progress, knowing that mastery is achieved through consistent, aligned action.
The AboveMan understands that his soul craves meaning and alignment. He knows that living for shallow pleasures and fleeting entertainment will never satisfy his deeper hunger. Instead, he seeks eudaimonia—the state of flourishing that comes from living in alignment with one’s true self. This pursuit is not easy. It requires sacrifice, discipline, and courage. But the rewards are unparalleled: a life of purpose, impact, and fulfillment.
At the heart of the AboveMan’s life is love—not just romantic love, but the deeper connections that sustain and nourish the human spirit. AboveMen are builders of relationships, cultivating bonds that are rooted in mutual respect, trust, and authenticity. They understand that no man becomes great alone. Brotherhood is the forge where greatness is tempered, where iron sharpens iron. Within AboveMen, this brotherhood is sacred. It is a space where men challenge, support, and inspire each other to rise above mediocrity and strive for greatness.
AboveMen also recognize the importance of their legacy. They understand that their actions ripple outward, affecting not only their own lives but the lives of their families, communities, and future generations. They do not live solely for themselves but for a purpose greater than any one individual. This sense of responsibility drives them to act with integrity, to build with intention, and to lead with courage.
Joining AboveMen is not for the faint of heart. It demands a high standard—a willingness to leave behind the excuses and victimhood that plague so many. AboveMen must commit to the pursuit of mastery, embracing the habits, mindsets, and actions that align with their highest values. This commitment is not about perfection but consistency. The AboveMan chooses the long game, understanding that true transformation takes time, effort, and resilience.
AboveMen reject the burnout cycles of modern life, where men push themselves to the brink only to collapse in exhaustion. Instead, they prioritize sustainable growth, balancing intensity with recovery, and ambition with reflection. They understand that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and they pace themselves accordingly. Consistency over intensity is their mantra, ensuring they can show up powerfully not just today but for years and decades to come.
The call to action is clear: the world needs strong men, again. Not men who dominate but men who uplift. Not men who take but men who create. This is not a movement for the passive or the apathetic. It is a revolution for men ready to rise, to reclaim their strength, and to forge lives of meaning and impact. AboveMen is not just a program; it is a brotherhood for mastery, a practical philosophy, and a way of life.
The time is now. The stakes are too high to wait any longer. Join the movement. Step into the arena. Become the AboveMan you were born to be. Together, we rise above. Today & Forever
— Cam, Your Big Brother + Tribe Leader of AboveMen.
Ps. My one ask after reading this: send this to ONE friend who should read this. ❤️
