Positive masculinity in Australia: The ‘anti-Andrew Tates’ taking back the manosphere

For all the attention given to the so-called “manosphere” — the online network of misogynistic content targeting teen boys and young men — you could be forgiven for thinking that the world of male influencers is more toxic than Chernobyl. But while the cultural footprint of Andrew Tate and his many imitators cannot be underestimated, a growing number of male voices are championing a healthier type of masculinity. Some use earnestness and logic to make their point. Others’ weapon of choice is humour and crude videos. While plenty bear a superficial resemblance to certain jacked misogynists of the manosphere, they are evolved enough to prioritise kindness and vulnerability over having an eight-pack. What they have in common is a desire to build healthier, happier men. Kate Raston, founder of sex education organisation We Are W/M, said it was “absolutely crucial” for men to show up online to model healthy masculinity. “The manosphere thrives when there’s a vacuum, when boys and young men don’t see any alternative to the loudest, most toxic voices,” she said. “There’s a real conversation happening online about what it means to be a man — and whose voices shape that message. When more men speak up and say, ‘there’s a better way,’ it helps break down the idea that masculinity has to be harsh or dominant.” The Sunday Times trawled through the least toxic parts of the internet to find the anti-Andrew Tates: men — mostly, but not exclusively, Australians — who are using their platform to bust stereotypes, counter misogyny and give young men a role model that won’t one day end up in a Romanian prison charged with rape and human trafficking. Dr Matt Agnew Intagram: @drmattagnew The astrophysicist and former Australian Bachelor fan-favourite knows what it is like to fight misinformation online: as a science communicator he spent much of the COVID pandemic countering anti-vax propaganda online. But he is also a passionate advocate for healthy masculinity, mental health and the need for men to be emotionally vulnerable. A recent post on his Instagram page, where he talks about everything from STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to skincare, debunked the claim that “women are naturally emotional and men are nationally rational”. “There’s no scientific basis: men and women are both rational and emotional. . . emotion and logic are for everyone,” he says. Dr Agnew told The Sunday Times he felt a responsibility to represent what modern masculinity could look like. “I’ve been vocal in the past that that personality has not been platformed by the media and that’s allowed for this vacuum to form and for people like Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan to fill that void and that’s not good,” he said. “It’s creating unhealthy versions of masculinity, we’re seeing this divergence among Gen Z men where they’re moving backwards with gender equality, compared to their female cohort. And that’s problematic and I’d be staggered if that wasn’t directly contributed to by the men they look up to. “Ultimately I do think that everything I do, it’s about demonstrating to boys and young men what a healthy and modern man looks like and that is something like being empathetic and talking about feelings, being able to express the whole gamut of emotions in a healthy way, demonstrating strength by lifting people up rather than dominating them. . . and I try to embody that in everything I do.” Will Hitchins Instagram: @willhitchins YouTube: @willhitchins This long-haired lackadaisical graphic designed-turned content creator is worth following if only to see him refer to Andrew Tate as “the ol’ tater tot”. Hitchins uses humour to ridicule self-described “alpha bros” and “cool guys” for their manosphere influencer posts — often with devastating effect. In one popular post he shared a video of a buff and angry-looking man in his car, glaring sideways at the camera. The words onscreen say: “MY GIRLFRIEND DON’T NEED TO ASK FOR PERMISSION TO GO OUT. SHE ALREADY KNOWS SHE CAN’T”. Hitchins crashes into that video with his own, pretending to be filming from the man’s passenger seat. “Yes, dude, that looks sick — the way you scowled at the camera and turned away? The boys are gonna love that, top notch cringe, my king. . . bet it goes viral,” he says, before lunging towards the camera. “Now kiss me!” You get the picture. As Hitchins puts it, snapping out of character: “This isn’t ‘alpha’ this is ‘ah for f*ck’s sake not this again’.” Behind the humour is a serious message about healthy relationships, body image and positive masculinity. Also he made a very good point in a recent post touching on global trade wars: “Tariffs in podcasting equipment — let’s get that ball rolling.” James Cappola TikTok: @j_cappola_fitcoach Instagram: @james_cappola This American personal trainer has the body of a MAGA fan but when he isn’t offering fitness advice, he is pushing back on “gym bro” culture that body shames men and women, and online misogyny. One video, in which he was asked about the male loneliness epidemic, encapsulates both his vibe and his potty-mouth tendencies. “There’s not a male loneliness epidemic, it’s an insufferable man-child epidemic,” he says. “God forbid someone shows an ounce of compassion and empathy: ‘it’s weak, it’s beta’. You gotta go back to your Joe Rogan or Andrew Tate handbook to see how you’re supposed to feel. “You’re alone because this is your movie and everyone else is just an extra who doesn’t matter. . . All of you bitch behind the screen, thinking you have balls but there’s a reason why you never have a profile picture. . . because you don’t want consequences. . . and this is why you’ll stay exactly where you are: under Andrew Tate’s ball-sack.” Believe it or not, he seems lovely. Josh Cavallo Instagram: @joshua.cavallo TikTok: @joshua.cavallo Josh Cavallo is not just an A-league soccer player for Adelaide United. He is one of the few openly gay male soccer players in the world. In an interview shared on Instagram he says: “I thought stepping out on the field, you know, that gives me 90 minutes or however long (where) I can forget about everything and focus on the ball and hitting the back of the net. But I’m glad now I can step on the field and I can be who I am.” He was also savage about Google’s recent decision to remove Pride Month from its calendar, a decision he said “may seem small to some”. “It tells us that our history, our struggles, and our victories are up for debate,” he wrote. “That our existence is something that can be acknowledged when it’s convenient and ignored when it’s not. “But let me be clear. We are not just a hashtag for June, a corporate campaign, or a momentary celebration. We are real people, with real lives, who have fought and continue to fight for the right to be seen, heard, and loved for who we are.” The Speech Prof AKA Professor Chesko TikTok: @speechprof Instagram: @thespeechprof The Speech Professor, also known as Professor Chesko, dabbles in politics, relationships, body image and education. With an emphasis on the value of emotional intelligence and kindness, he seems to takes great delight in pricking the bubbles of self-proclaimed “high-t (testosterone) alpha male” personas that dominate the worst parts of the manosphere. “A guy just commented on one of my videos telling me that the only reason I make the content I do is because I’m so jealous of alpha males,” he says in a recent post, unable to hide his grin. “He said ‘you’re not even a beta male, based on your body you’re more of an ‘eats too much Pi male’. “And I know it was meant to be an insult but I love it so much it might be the best comment I’ve ever received.” Tyran Mowbray Instagram: @tyran.mowbray Facebook: @TyranMowbray1 He is vulnerable in a way that feels rare for men who look like him, talking about how keeping a journal is “better than a therapist” and about his relationship with his wife and son. One recent post featured him talking about the “dark” and “light” aspects of masculinity. “It’s like the good boy is usually seen as the nice guy that does all the right things and the bad boy is seen as the rule breaker and, you know, I don’t think either is right nor wrong,” he said. “Both have healthy and unhealthy expressions. You know: too much good boy energy, you’re cut off from your primality and too much primality, you’re cut off from your heart and consciousness.” Harrison James Instagram: @itsharrijames James is a sexual assault survivor who is vocal about the dangers of family violence, misogyny and trauma. Post by post he is doing his bit to break down the stigma around male sexual abuse, which happened to him as a child. He has also spearheaded the Your Reference Ain’t Relevant campaign, arguing that good character references should not be used to reduce the prison sentences for people convicted of serious crimes. Richie Hardcore Instagram: @richiehardcore Do not let the rockstar name fool you: Hardcore is a speaker and educator with an interest in gendered violence, masculinity and mental health. He recently shared his take on the Netflix drama about the manosphere, Adolescence, and the way that loneliness can open a door to extremist grifters. His social media presence is as likely to be talking about Muay Thai as the problem with mainstream pornography and he does it with sincerity and heart.

Positive masculinity in Australia: The ‘anti-Andrew Tates’ taking back the manosphere

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