EVOLVING MANHOOD BLOG

CHRIS COTTON X BADAMI

CHRIS COTTON X BADAMI
I’ve watched my manhood evolve in the last couple of years by unlearning the pressures of religious heteronormative standards. The pressure for marriage & monogamy is off the chain & I’ve really been studying & questioning if my ancestors lived this way. That opens up a pandora box . . . - Chris Cotton Continue reading

JOHN RAGSDALE X BADAMI [PRIDE MONTH EDITION]

JOHN RAGSDALE X BADAMI [PRIDE MONTH EDITION]
 There is nothing "wrong" with you for being different, it is a gift, and refusing to alter who you are to fit in will ultimately give you more strength than you thought possible. I don't know if telling a brutalized young person that "It gets better" really helps. But it does get better. Much better. As Nietzsche said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." My gay friends--my adopted family--are the strongest people I know. - John Ragsdale Continue reading

AARON ANASTASI X BADAMI

AARON ANASTASI X BADAMI
bald man with tattoos in Badami Boxer brief posing for his blog post about toxic masculinity.

How old are you and where are you located?

I’m 46 years old & live in Los Angeles.


Tell us about yourself.

I’m married to my soul mate, love my life & spend the majority of my time working on creative endeavors that I enjoy — Acting, writing, (life) coaching, & entrepreneurial businesses.

What is important for you when choosing underwear? 

Comfort & fit, mostly that they don’t squeeze my nuts.


How does Badami’s underwear compare/standout to other brands you’ve worn?

The quality of materials is superior - soft but durable. And the attention to detail is peerless.


How has toxic masculinity affected you personally? How have you/are you working to grow from it?

As someone who was primarily raised by my mother, had mostly female bosses (before becoming an entrepreneur), & having a wife that I’ve never seen as anything but an equal, I’m not aware of a ton of it in my immediate life. I think both masculinity & femininity in themselves are beautiful. 
Having said that, the form of toxic masculinity that is part of the air we breathe is the antiquated belief that boys shouldn’t express their emotions. This is certainly changing, but I’ve sensed the pressure most of my life to be somewhat stoic. This is something I still live in tension with. I’m committed to fully express myself & my emotions, but it’s sometimes easier said than done. Therapy, coaching, & acting have definitely been instrumental in my growth in that area.


What would you like to say to others that look like you or maybe on the same career path as you? 

All hard work brings a profit…eventually. Tenacity is everything. The long-game is the only game.


How have you witnessed your own manhood (or manhood as a whole) evolve in the last few years?

I think there is a shift in manhood in general toward recognizing the reality & the gift of the power of femininity.

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JULIO ROSAS X BADAMI

JULIO ROSAS X BADAMI

How old are you and where are you located?

30, viviendo en Chicago.
[30, living in Chicago, IL.]

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Soy productor de audio y traductor, trabajo desde casa incluso antes de que la pandemia haya encerrado a casi todos. Cuando no estoy trabajando, estoy nadando, la piscina es mi escape para todo, cuando estoy triste, nadar me levanta el ánimo, cuando estoy feliz, nadar me hará sentir aún mejor.
[I'm an audio producer and translator, I work from home even before the pandemic that has locked down almost everyone. When I'm not working, I'm swimming, the pool is my scape for everything, when I'm sad, swimming will cheer me up, when I'm happy, swimming will make me feel even better.] 

What is important for you when choosing underwear?

La comodidad es lo más importante cuando busco nueva ropa interior, el corte y la tela juegan un papel muy importante cuando de ropa interior se trata. Quiero decir, es algo que usas todo el dia, definitivamente tiene que ser lo más comodo posible.
[Comfort is the most important thing when I'm looking for new underwear, the cut and the fabric play an important role when it's about undies shopping, I mean, it's something that you wear all day, it definitely has to be the most comfortable possible.] 

How does Badami’s underwear compare/standout to other brands you’ve worn?

La tela es perfecta, es suficientemente delgada para permitir a mi piel respirar y sertirse libre y cómoda, pero al mismo tiempo sostiene lo que tiene que sostener, yo los llamo 'los de siempre', porque no tengo que pensar much cuál estilo o qué color quiero usar, solo tomo un par y me lo pongo.
[The fabric is perfect, is thin enough to let my skin breathe and feel free and comfortable, but at the same time it holds everything it has to, I call them my 'go-to' underwear because I don't have to think much about which style or color I want to wear, I'll just grab it in the morning and wear it.]

 

How has toxic masculinity affected you personally? How have you/are you working to grow from it?

Creo que afceta solo si tu lo permites, trabajar en tener un autoestima fuerte es una tarea del día a día, sentirte libre y ser tú mismo no debería ser categorizado o una razón para sentirte avergonzado.
[I think it affects you only if you let it, working on a strong personality is an everyday task, feeling free and being yourself should not be categorized or a reason to feel shame.]

 

What would it mean for you and for others that look like you to be represented more in underwear advertisements?

Quiero que se sientan orgullosos de ellos mismos por dentro y por fuera, que no hay estereotipos de belleza o masculinidad, que la confianza comienza con uno mismo, cómo te tratas a tí mismo, no como otros te tratan a ti.
[I want them to feel proud with themselves inside and outside, that there's not any stereotype of beauty or masculinity, that confidence starts with yourself, how you treat yourself, not how others treat you.]

How have you witnessed your own manhood (or manhood as a whole) evolve in the last few years?

Con sabiduría, tratando de ser una versión de mi mismo cada día, pero tambien aceptando las cosas que no puedo cambiar sobre mi y el mundo en general.
[With wisdom, trying to be a better version of myself every day, but also being understandable to accept the things that I can't change, about myself and the world in general.]
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