ManTalks Podcast

Anton Nootenboom - Serving Men's Mental Health—One Step At A Time

Jan 13, 2025

This week’s guest is Anton Nootenboom, a military veteran and barefoot long-distance walker who completed an epic trek from LA to NYC to spotlight men’s mental health. He shares his personal battles with depression and highlights the importance of vulnerability in redefining masculinity. Anton stresses the need for safe spaces for men to express emotions and tackle societal pressures. He also discusses how embracing discomfort can lead to growth and resilience, inspiring a new wave of bravery in mental health conversations.

54:35

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Episode guests

Anton Nootenboom

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Anton Nootenboom's 3100-mile barefoot journey symbolizes vulnerability and resilience while raising awareness for critical men's mental health issues.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of engaging in physically challenging activities to build emotional resilience and improve overall wellbeing.

A major theme of the podcast highlights the need for safe spaces for men to express emotions and dismantle traditional masculine ideals.

Deep dives

The Importance of Barefoot Walking

Walking barefoot across the United States was seen as a unique and attention-grabbing method to raise awareness for men's mental health. The speaker, a Dutch army veteran, embarked on this challenging journey not only to set a Guinness World Record but also to create a ripple effect, promoting discussions around mental health issues impacting men. By choosing the U.S. as the backdrop for this endeavor, he aimed to highlight the significance of mental health struggles within a country where these issues are often overlooked. The unconventional aspect of walking barefoot served as a metaphor for vulnerability and resilience, compelling others to engage in the conversation.

Intro

2min

Journey of Resilience

20min

Redefining Masculinity and Mental Health

18min

Navigating Pressures: Empowering Young Men Through Conversation

4min

Embracing Discomfort for Growth

8min

Pursuing Ambitious Challenges and Sharing Inspiring Journeys

2min

Talking points: masculinity, culture

Honored to have connected with the Barefoot Dutchman himself this week. In case you hadn't heard, Anton Nootenboom recently finished walking over 3100 miles—barefoot—from LA to NYC to support men's mental health. Yes. Barefoot. We dig into the why, the how, and Anton's core philosophies. Listen in, team.

(00:00:00) - Intro, and what the mental and emotional strain was like

(00:15:39) - Why Anton wanted to raise awareness for men’s mental health

(00:22:04) - What are men struggling with the most these days, and what needs to change

(00:37:48) - The struggle of shifting perspectives on men’s culpability and responsibility, and what to say to younger guys

(00:44:12) - Why is it important for men to do hard things?

Anton Nootenboom is a military veteran with three tours in Afghanistan. He faced severe mental health challenges afterwards, including depression and suicidal thoughts. He found healing in barefoot walking and speaking out about his experiences. Today, his journey embodies his message: men should feel empowered to seek help and talk about mental health.

The #BraveMenTalk initiative, launched in partnership with Barebarics, emphasizes that one man dies by suicide every minute globally. Anton’s walk aimed to raise critical funds and encourage men to embrace a new type of bravery—one that fights against stigma and opens up pathways for support.

Connect with Anton:

-Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebarefoot_dutchman/

-TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barefootdutchie

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anton.nootenboom.3