Dare greatly. Love fiercely. Live fully.
Be a man in the arena.
The Arena Men’s Group is a brave space for men to be themselves and discover who they want to become and the difference they want to make for themselves, their families, their friends, and the world.
Our purpose is to help men live in the arena—to dare greatly, love fiercely, and live fully.
We teach common sense practices that aren’t commonly practiced to help men trust themselves, live true to who they are, be willing to take risks, and step into the arena in their personal and professional lives.
We envision a world where men own their power, feel their emotions, reach out for support, and act with honor. All in pursuit of being good men, leaving a worthy legacy, and reaching their biggest goals and dreams.
In a time where what it means to be a man is evolving and can be challenging, The Arena Men’s Group is the place for men to learn, grow, and become the men they’ve always wanted to be.
Our offerings
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Men's Groups
Our virtual groups are a brave space for men to explore what it means to be a man today and be supported in reaching their goals by a committed group of daring men. Sessions include lessons delivered by our experienced men’s coaches, “hot seat” coaching, break-out rooms, and opportunities to connect, share, and build lasting relationships.
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Podcast & Panel Discussions
In our With Love, Men podcast and panel discussions, we explore how men relate to important topics like vulnerability, friendship, and intimacy. With many messages being shared in our society about men that can be confusing and limiting, it’s more important than ever that we explore how these messages impact men, women, and our culture - both at home and in the workplace.
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Weekend Training Programs
Our weekend training programs in the New York Metropolitan area explore what it means to be a man today and what it takes to live life in the arena. Through experiential exercises and strategy lessons, participants learn the keys to being resilient, committed, and unstoppable in pursuit of their goals, dreams, and the men they want to become.
Why The Arena?
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
— President Theodore Roosevelt
The name The Arena was inspired by Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly and the Theodore Roosevelt speech at the heart of her book. Brown connected vulnerability with Roosevelt’s “man in the arena”—the person willing to step forward, risk failure, and be seen trying.
For us, being in the arena means putting something at stake without knowing how things will turn out.
Sometimes that means opening up about something you’ve never told anyone. But it can also mean asking for help. Telling someone you want to be friends. Leaving the job that no longer fits. Asking out the person you can’t stop thinking about. Becoming a father. Setting a boundary. Standing behind something you love even when others don’t understand it.
What feels like the arena for one man may feel easy to another. The point isn’t to perform vulnerability or prove how courageous you are. It’s to recognize the places in your own life where fear, uncertainty, or resistance are keeping you safely in the bleachers—and choose to enter the arena anyway.
Living in the arena doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the job, build the relationship, achieve the goal, or become the man you hope to be.
But we believe it guarantees something far more valuable:
You’ll feel fully alive.
What Our Members Say
“Joining the Arena Men's Group is one of the best decisions I have ever made. The coaching and support of the group has helped me grow significantly in the last few years. I have also learned to love myself better and know that I do matter in this world.””
— Duggan C.“The Arena has changed my life more than I could have imagined. I’ve let go of fear, anger, sadness, and regret and have been rewarded with a loving romantic relationship, deeper connections with my friends and family, and a community of men who support me when I falter and encourage me to continue growing.”
— Andrew L.“Joining the Arena Men's Group has been a transformative experience that has profoundly impacted my journey towards becoming a better man. I've learned to embrace authenticity and vulnerability through open and honest discussions, shedding societal expectations to reveal my true self.”
— Carlo G.Our founders
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Nicholaos Papadopoulos, SHRM-CP
Coach Nick is an author, speaker, executive coach, facilitator, leadership & organizational development consultant, culture engagement expert, and responsible disruptor who’s committed to inspiring people and teams to operate purposefully and to transform the world. He’s run men’s groups for over 20 years. He is the co-author of The Men’s Group: A Novel of Messy Friendships.
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Jacob Fishbein, PCC
Coach Jake is an Executive Coach, Facilitator, and Novelist who helps leaders and men ready to do the hard work of long-term development. He has worked with men for a decade in men’s groups and is the co-author of The Men’s Group: A Novel of Messy Friendships. Jake is an ICF-PCC accredited coach.
Visit The Arena Men’s Group and see if it’s right for you.
There’s no commitment, pressure, or obligation.