“Being a man means whatever you want it to mean.”
That’s what one young fella told us after going through the Top Blokes program. It’s a powerful reflection, but not every boy can say something like that out loud.
So we wanted to understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
In 2025, we asked over 3,000 young men one simple question: What is the biggest lesson you took away from Top Blokes?
Our research and evaluation team dived deep into our data and what came back wasn’t just feedback. It was an insight into how boys think, feel, and change when they’ve been in our program.
Learning to pause and think
One of the clearest shifts we saw was in how boys approach their decisions. Across both younger and older groups, many spoke about learning to pause, think, and consider the consequences of their actions.
“It has helped me think more carefully.”
“To reconsider my decisions before doing things.”
“With everything I do, I think about the risk of me doing it.”
It might sound small, but this kind of thinking is what helps a young man walk away from situations that don’t feel right and back himself to make better decisions.
Redefining what it means to be a man
Alongside this, there’s something deeper happening around identity. A lot of boys come into the program with a narrow idea of what it means to be a man, something shaped by social pressure, media, or what they see around them.
What we’re seeing at the end of our program is a shift away from that.
“Being a man means whatever you want it to mean. You don’t have to fit into a box…”
“It’s helped me to have a new perspective on what it means to be a good man…”
“I learnt about being a man, and how I can decide what man I am.”
For some, that shift is life-changing. It builds confidence, self-worth, and a stronger sense of self and one’s own identity.
Building emotional strength
Another strong theme is emotional growth, particularly around anger. Many boys shared that they’re learning how to recognise and manage their emotions in a healthier way.
“How to manage my anger and control my emotions…”
“What strategies I can use to manage my emotions.”
“Top Blokes has helped me by making it easy for me to manage anger.”
For a lot of them, this is the first time they’ve been given both the space and the tools to understand what’s going on internally. When that clicks, it helps them feel better about themselves, improves how they relate to others and how they show up day to day.
Where confidence and connection begin
For younger boys in our 10-13 program, the changes often show up in simpler ways. They talk about being better friends, learning how to communicate, and working with others.
“It helped me become a better friend.”
“Team work helped me better work with other people.”
“How to greet someone.”
These are the foundational shifts that are important footings before these young men move into high school. This is where belonging starts, where confidence begins to build, and where boys start to feel like they’re part of something.
A deeper level of self-awareness
With older boys on the 14-17 program, we start to see the impact more clearly expressed. There’s a noticeable shift towards reflection and self-awareness.
“I’ve learnt to talk about my emotions and my overall mental health.”
“I think I’m more self aware these days…”
“Needing help is normal, no one does anything worthwhile on their own.”
At a stage of life where many young men are navigating pressure and uncertainty, that kind of self-awareness is powerful, shows maturity and a move towards an identity that positively serves them.
More than just a program
What this all points to is something bigger than just a workshop.
Through our long-term mentoring – where young men come together for an hour each week over time – we’re seeing boys build the skills to think critically, manage their emotions, form stronger relationships, and define themselves on their own terms. They’re learning from each other, from the group environment, and from mentors who model what it looks like to show up with honesty and respect.
We’ve seen these kinds of changes in more than 25,000 boys, and we know it doesn’t happen overnight.
If you put yourself in their shoes, it makes sense. It takes more than a single workshop for a young man to feel safe enough to open up, ask questions, and be honest about what’s really going on.
That’s why our programs focus on creating spaces where boys feel safe sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and knowing they won’t be judged. Over time, that consistency builds trust. And when that trust is there, boys feel supported, understood, and connected to others going through the same experience.
That’s when the real shift happens.
We see young men start to back themselves, speak up, support their mates, and take ownership of their choices. We see growth in confidence, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of identity.
Because at Top Blokes, we know that when boys are given the right space and support, the change goes beyond behaviour. It shapes how they see themselves—and that has a lasting impact on their lives, their relationships, and their communities.
We’ll keep listening, learning, and evolving our work—because this is what it takes to support boys today and shape who they become tomorrow.
Want to bring Top Blokes to your school community?
Reach out and book a chat with our team.
