How to Be a Man in 2026 | Masculinity, Confidence & The Male Identity Crisis ft. Rahul Badesra
The xMonks Drive
How to be a man in 2026?
In a world of dating apps, looksmaxxing, loneliness and confusion around modern masculinity — what does it actually mean to be a man today?
In this deep conversation, Rahul Badesra and Gaurav Arora break down the modern masculinity crisis — from confidence and discipline to male loneliness, female validation, grooming culture and the pressure men silently carry.
🔍 In This Episode We Discuss:
• What masculinity really means in 2026
• Why so many men feel lost and directionless
• The male loneliness epidemic
• Confidence vs armour — what real confidence looks like
• Why men chase women and external validation
• The rise of looksmaxxing, jawline obsession & extreme grooming trends
• First impressions, grooming and self-respect
• Soft masculinity vs strength
• Why discipline matters more than dominance
• Sacrificing health for success — is it worth it?
• How money amplifies who you already are
• The one principle every young man should live by
🕒 Chapters
00:00 Why Men Feel Lonely: Discipline, Structure & the Insecurity Trap
00:36 Dating Apps & Validation Loops: They Want Swipes, Not Matches
01:06 Masculinity Reframed: Structure + Discipline + Direction
01:11 Generations of Men: From Survival to Distraction
04:46 COVID Wake-Up Call: Losing Control, Anxiety, and Hitting Reset
06:14 Building Systems: 5AM Routine, Fitness Coaching, and Taking the Startup Leap
07:13 From Grooming Brand to Coaching: The Real Problem Is Implementation
09:10 What Men Are Really Struggling With: Low Awareness, Insecurity & Social Media Pressure
11:37 Health vs Hustle Culture: The Hidden Cost of ‘Grinding’
13:16 Biohacking Role Models vs Basics: The SHREDS Framework
16:39 Life Stages & Identity: Puberty to Midlife Crisis and Beyond
21:20 Look Good, Feel Confident: Grooming, Posture, Style & Real-World Presence
21:53 Beyond Looks: Communication, Exposure, Travel & Civic Sense
25:48 Rooms of Power: Lessons from Bollywood/CEO Circles and Being Prepared
29:20 Escaping Old Identity: Background Insecurity, Partnership, and Designing a Life Calendar
31:59 Commute misery & valuing time over stuff
32:36 Insecurity culture: power gurus, identity change & who you associate with
33:49 Feminism, soft masculinity & unlearning the ‘macho’ script
35:52 Grief, crying, and real mental health vs excuses
36:52 Sexual orientation in India: coming out, parents, and acceptance
39:44 How to respond when someone opens up: listen, don’t judge
43:31 Loneliness epidemic: gaming couples, dating, and lost human connection
45:57 3 relationship non‑negotiables: routines, date nights & money habits
47:29 ‘Trading up’ and the truth about money: it only amplifies who you are
49:38 Testosterone decline & supplement hype: fix lifestyle foundations first
52:16 Nutrition basics & building your ‘operating system’ (protein, fiber, systems)
56:01 Looksmaxxing obsession vs sustainable self‑improvement
57:37 Why grooming matters: first impressions, confidence, and the full upgrade
59:46 Closing thoughts & thanks
🎙 About The Guest
Rahul Badesra is a men’s grooming and confidence coach who works with modern men on presence, discipline and self-improvement. His work focuses on helping men build structure, clarity and self-respect in a world full of noise.
#Hashtags
#Masculinity #ModernMen #SelfImprovement
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-xmonks-drive/id1549886334
Website: https://xmonks.com