As a man, I was always taught to be tough. Not letting anyone see me weak even when I was at my lowest. I was also taught that being a man meant I needed to be athletic, buff, and disrespect women. However, for a long time, I knew that wasn’t who I was. After being involved with OHMAN and the work revolving around masculinity, I was able to break out of my Man Cage and be exactly who I WANT to be! The feeling is liberating. I am able to be my true authentic self without questioning whether I am going to be picked on or not. Taking on this newly found liberation, I was able to inspire many other men (young and old) across Ohio and in different parts of the country. Letting them know that they too could be free of this “Man Cage”. Today, I still struggle with the new reality as taking back what I have been socialized to think takes time. However, I do what I do because I love who I am. That is why this work is so important.