Summary: I've seen one too many posts praising Tyler Durden, Patrick Bateman or other fictional trash. Such posts never make it to the front page (thank you mods), but their sheer amount compels me to write this thread.

It is obvious trp newcomers crave mentorship. They've been lied about female sexuality and restrained from expressing their own. Trust is broken – the infamous anger phase –, but social animals learn by example and they still look for patterns of action. Thus, finding the right mentors is of utmost importance.

Unfortunately, they find answers in the wrong places. Media has been showcasing dysfunctional models for decades: the fat slobs, the submissive geeks, the tough nihilists... Enough with that shit.

I want to share a few of my male muses. I hope their autobios can inspire you and lead your life for the better as well.

Richard Branson ( Losing my Virginity )

Balls of titanium. This book made me understand how lazy my ass used to be. He went full entrepreneur at 16 years old and never looked back. His Student magazine became a > mail-order record company became a > chain of record stores became a > record studio became a > airway company, railway, insurance and 400+ ventures. By the way, he also tried an around-the-world balloon flight and many other crazy dangerous feats.

Arnold Schwarzenegger ( Total Recall )

Don’t be afraid to fail. Anything that I have always attempted, I was always willing to fail. Don’t be afraid of making decisions; you can’t be paralysed with the fear of failure or you will never push yourself. You can push because you believe in yourself and your vision. You know it’s the right thing to do and success will come. Don’t be afraid to fail. – USC Commencement Speech, 2009

Sylvester Stallone

He went to NY to find success and wrote the Rocky script in 3 days. At one point, he was so broke he had to sell his dog for 25$. Despite countless rejections, he never accepted any compromise: he wanted to be the main actor of his movie. Full package. As soon as he received funding, Stallone spent half to track down the dog and buy him back. The rest is history.

He didn't let the birth accident – the lower part of his face is paralyzed! – derail him from his goals. The next time you're whining about being latino, short or other bullshit, think about Sly.

Sam Walton ( Made in America )

His life is an incredible memento of impeccable work ethic and passion. He was obsessed by retail and pioneered the discount retail model everyone knows today. I find hard to grasp how one entrepreneur can go from 0 to 11,000 locations around the world, while still being a modest family man. His words knew no bitterness.

Ted Simon ( Jupiter's Travels )

He's a British journalist who circumnavigated the world by motorcycle... twice. In late 1973, The Sunday Times started to sponsor his 4-year journey. He did it again in 2001, at 70 years old. I don't know if he has been lifting, but I'm damn sure he wasn't a fat ball! You can read about his two journeys in Jupiter's Travels and Dreaming of Jupiter.

 

Lastly, never put anyone on the pedestal, especially your mentors. Worship is to believe you can't do what they did. God's in His heaven, everything else is yours to be taken.

Final Thoughts: Bad mentors can eighten the anger phase and fuel your hatred. Pop culture is full of awful role models and you shouldn't praise their false manhood. Fuck Tyler Durden, there are plenty of real men who deserve your respect and attention.