If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the name Justin Baldoni floating around. Maybe you know him as the sensitive Rafael Solano from Jane the Virgin, or perhaps you’ve followed the absolute whirlwind of drama surrounding the It Ends with Us press tour. But honestly, if you only know him from the tabloid headlines or the red carpet "feud" rumors with Blake Lively, you’re missing the actual point of what the guy has been trying to do for the last decade.
The whole man enough justin baldoni movement isn't just a catchy brand or a side project for a bored actor. It’s basically a massive, messy, and deeply personal attempt to dismantle the "tough guy" script that most men are handed the second they leave the womb.
It started with a TED Talk that went viral because he did something men aren't supposed to do: he admitted he was performative. He admitted that even while playing a "manly" lead on TV, he felt like he was failing at being a real human.
Why the Man Enough Project Actually Started
Most of us grew up with the same set of rules. Don't cry. Don't show weakness. Be the provider. Protect everything. It’s exhausting. Baldoni’s core argument is that these rules don't just hurt women—though they definitely do—they also suffocate men.
He calls it "undefining" masculinity.
Think about that word for a second. It's not "redefining," which would just be replacing one set of rules with another. It’s about stripping the rules away entirely.
The movement grew from a web series into a New York Times bestselling book, Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity, and then a powerhouse podcast. He brought on guests like Matthew McConaughey and Shawn Mendes to talk about things men usually avoid—body dysmorphia, the fear of failure, and the desperate need for male friendships that aren't just based on sports or beer.
The Podcast and the "Heart Work"
The Man Enough podcast is where the real "heart work" (as he calls it) happens. Co-hosted by Liz Plank and Jamey Heath, the show doesn't just sit in a vacuum of "men’s issues." It forces a collision between masculine ego and the reality of shared human experience.
Honestly, it’s refreshing.
One week you might hear a deep dive into the "loneliness epidemic" hitting men, and the next, a conversation with survivors of domestic violence like FKA twigs. It’s about accountability.
But here is the thing: being "man enough" in Baldoni’s world means being strong enough to be sensitive. It’s a paradox that breaks a lot of brains.
- You have to be brave enough to be vulnerable.
- You have to be confident enough to listen to women.
- You have to be "tough" enough to admit when you’re wrong.
It’s not about being "soft" in the way critics often claim. It’s about having the guts to face the parts of yourself that are usually hidden behind a wall of bravado.
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The 2024 Controversy and the Ripple Effect
You can’t talk about man enough justin baldoni right now without addressing the elephant in the room. The production of It Ends with Us became a lightning rod for criticism. There were allegations of a "hostile workplace" and reports of a rift between Baldoni and his co-star, Blake Lively.
The irony wasn't lost on anyone.
The man who literally wrote the book on healthy masculinity was suddenly at the center of a public narrative involving workplace tension and gender dynamics. By late 2024 and throughout 2025, the legal filings were flying. Some people saw him as a victim of a "smear campaign," while others felt the allegations proved that even the "wokest" men have blind spots.
Courts in 2025 dismissed several suits, but the damage to the Man Enough brand was real. Liz Plank even stepped away from the podcast for a period.
It raises a tough question: Can a movement survive when its figurehead is under fire?
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Actually, maybe that’s the most "Man Enough" part of the whole story. If the movement is real, it has to be bigger than one guy. It has to survive the messy, legal, and very public failings of the people who started it.
The Real Impact on Masculinity
Despite the Hollywood drama, the data on men’s mental health hasn't changed. Suicide rates among men remain high. The "incel" pipeline is still pulling in young boys who feel lost.
Baldoni’s work—specifically his second book, Boys Will Be Human—targets this exact demographic. It’s a "gut-check guide" for middle-schoolers. It tries to reach them before the "man box" closes in.
Critics say he's too preachy. Some think he's just a "male feminist" trying to score points. But for the millions of guys who have watched his videos and felt a sense of relief, those labels don't matter much.
They just want to know it’s okay to feel something.
Actionable Steps for the "Man Enough" Journey
If you’re looking to actually apply some of this to your own life—or help the men in your life—you don't need a podcast contract. You just need to start moving.
- Check your scripts. Next time you’re about to say "man up" or hide a feeling of anxiety, ask yourself why. Is it because you actually feel fine, or because you’re afraid of looking weak?
- Build a brotherhood. Stop keeping your friendships on the surface. Ask a friend a real question about how they’re doing. It’ll be awkward at first. Do it anyway.
- Listen without defending. When a woman in your life brings up a problem, don't jump to "not all men" or try to fix it immediately. Just listen.
- Audit your media. If your social feed is full of "alpha male" influencers telling you to be a "high-value man" through money and muscles, balance it out with some actual "heart work."
The man enough justin baldoni movement isn't a destination. It’s a process of constantly catching yourself in old patterns. It’s about realizing that being "man enough" is really just about being human enough.
The drama might fade, and the lawsuits will eventually settle, but the need for men to stop performing and start living isn't going anywhere. If you want to dive deeper, start by watching the 2017 TED Talk. It’s still the best primer for everything that came after. Then, pick up the book and read it with an open mind—even the parts that make you feel defensive. That’s usually where the most growth happens.