Mensch is led by a collective of friendly humans who are fascinated by how men can lead more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Mensch was started by Josh Fineman and is inspired by the memory of his Papa, Raphael Harris.
A Mensch is a person of integrity… and for Josh, Papa Raphael was the epitome of this.
Someone who walked the talk, always came from love, acted with fierce courage, spoke his truth, and did it all whilst embracing the highs and lows that made up his life.
It is these values that inspire Josh to pursue his own journey of self-discovery and why he created this community; so it could act as a space to inspire other men to do the same.
Who is Josh?
(the external facing story)
Hi I’m Josh. I'm the founder and “CCO” (Chief Connection Officer) of Mensch.
I guide men through defining moments in their lives.
I didn’t used to be though. I was a creative agency owner back in the day, before becoming an ACCPH Senior Member, Co-Active trained transformational life coach, and group facilitator.
I discovered mens work through MenSpeak and the wonderful soul, Kenny Mamarella D’Cruz who guided me (and continues to) in my learning journey of how to help men heal and grow. Since then, I have held 1000+ hours of space for men…and continuously learn about myself and what being a man is for me… and others.
When I’m not coaching or facilitating, you’ll find me on adventures with my wife and 3 young kids, asking people what their death row meal would be, and dealing with the highs and lows of supporting Arsenal!
Who is Josh REALLY?
(aka the real story)
Hi I’m Josh and I’m a highly sensitive soul who has a penchant for jealousy and toxic comparison.
From a young age, I was a happy-go-lucky kid on the outside. Yet I struggled with comparing myself to others on the inside…to my Dad (“how am I ever going to eclipse him?!”), my brother (“if I’m not “better” than him, who will love me?”), to my peers (grades, sport, girls, good looks, dick size…you name it).
This was exhausting.
I then met my girlfriend at 18 (now wife!) and when I left university, my addiction to comparison focused on my career. For the first 10 years or so, I zigzagged from finance, to film finance, to film production, to then setting up and growing my own video content agency. Looking back now it was a desperate need to prove myself by finding a career that meant something to me AND I could become really “successful” at.
On the outside, I was an easygoing joker who had a pretty cool life. On the inside though, I had one foot on the accelerator and one foot on the brake… I was ambitious and driven, yet confused, terrified of failing, and incredibly ashamed of who I was.
My wife became more like my therapist - not good for either of us - yet there weren’t any other people in my life I felt I could open up to without feeling judged by, a burden to…or like a victim someone needed to save.
Shortly after the birth of my first child, my Mum got in a near-death car crash. Yet 90% of my worries were still consumed by this need to prove myself.
This was the catalyst for the journey I’ve been on since. It’s how I discovered therapy, coaching, men’s work…and what it feels like to strip away the bullsh*t and share my full self with others.
It’s all helped me better understand who the f*ck I am and start the journey of working out why I’m here.
I want to stress something…I am by no means “cured”. My demons are still there. They always will be.
But by learning what they are…I can see that they aren’t me.
I am more present to life now. I feel more alive then ever.
And I would love to help you feel the same