Ben Buttfield Email and Phone Number

I am a cultural activist. My life's purpose is social change around masculinity. I work to help men and boys garner a healthy expression of their masculine identity. I am an Australian trained chiropractor and occupational therapist, with 16 years experience in the Australian healthcare sector, having completed tertiary study at a masters level. I am currently involved in working with men and boys as outlined by the following endeavours:1. Co creator and current president of the Southern Men's Gathering - a weekend retreat designed to improve the emotional wellbeing of men. 2. Lead Facilitator with The Odyssey Program - a school based wellbeing program for teenage boys. 3. Mentor with the Sammy D organisation - provider of healthy male role models to at risk teenage boys. 4. Facilitator with numerous men's organisations and social support groups. My drive to influence the culture of men has its genesis in my my own struggles with masculinity. Challenged by a sense of not fitting in as a teenager and finding it difficult to develop deep friendships with men, I sought male acceptance in very unhealthy hyper masculine worlds. My challenges in finding rewarding friendships with men reinforced to me that much of traditional masculinity involves: isolationism, stoicism, emotional suppression, disconnection, and fear of vulnerability. As such, much of my focus in working with men is about promoting: connection, support, emotional literacy, community and valuing openness and vulnerability as strengths.