GREEN LIVING
The Men’s Issue
Dave Asprey On his new book and new favorite F-word What Does It Mean to Be a Good Man? 10 Valley men weigh in Spa Treatments for Guys
Arizona’s most unique treatments to help you recharge
OUTRAGEOUSCool Stuff
BY ANNA DORL
The summer is fnally here, and the heat is on! With Father’s Day on the horizon, you might be on the hunt for a green way to give back to an important man in your life. While stereotypically “male” gifts vary in function and variety, anyone who enjoys bold ways to give back to the environment will love these ideas. In the long run, it’s better to make a conscious choice than a casual one. Whether it be a gift for yourself or your favorite dude, check out this Cool Outrageous Stuf for June.
BRRR BOX
Looking for a cooler that won’t take a million years to break down in a landfll? The BRRR Box has you covered as a 100% biodegradable and recyclable alternative. The Flat-to-That™ technology implemented in the product allows for easy breakdown and pop-up. GRIP-N-GO™ technology lets users close and hold on to the cooler with only one hand. It’s made in the USA, with the company’s commitment to “eliminate Styrofoam waste, one convenience cooler at a time.” BRRR Box is connected with the Foam-Free America Movement™ and promises no leaking or squeaking in their product. It ships to the purchaser fat and ready to pop up and keep food and other perishables nice and cold this summer. www.brrrbox.com
Dr. Squatch Cologne 4-Pack
Smelling fresh is something that everyone can appreciate. Dr. Squatch ofers personal hygiene products for men with bold scents and mindful ingredients. The company’s Cologne 4-Pack combines four “manly, natural colognes” chosen by the purchaser from fve options. Scents include Fireside Bourbon, Glacial Falls, Midnight Birch, Rainforest Mist, and Woodland Pine. Dr. Squatch products are 98-100% natural and the company is a Certifed B Corporation. The company even publishes its commitment to eliminating harmful ingredients in its products, with its very own “Sh*t List” — a roster of ingredients that the company vows never to use in its products. Additionally, the Dr. Squatch Giveback Program partners with Eco-Soap Bank to repurpose soap scraps to provide hygiene access to those in need, donating more than 9.5 million bars and recycling over two million pounds of soap to date. www.drsquatch.com
Corkor Bifold Wallet for Men
Wallets are extremely personal things, and the necessity for a strong one that fts all your stuf stays the same no matter who you are. Corkor creates useful environmentally friendly products from certifed cork fabric – “the natural and sustainable vegetable leather.” The company’s streamlined Bifold Wallet for Men is available in three color choices – Brown, Light Brown, and Black. This vegan item boasts six card slots, two top bill compartments, and two slip pockets. It’s also RFID safe, keeping users and their cards safe from skimming theft attempts. Personalization options are available through laser engraving. www.corkor.com
Pact Everyday Knit Boxer
Everyone needs underwear, and the perfect set of boxers might be hard to fnd. Here’s a great, green contender: the Everyday Knit Boxer by Pact. Woven with 95% organic cotton and 5% elastane, these boxers are as soft as they are sustainable. Available in seven subdued colors/patterns and sizes S to 2XL, Pact’s boxers ofer ample leg room, a relaxed ft, and a fat waistband. Pact’s products are made in a GOTS Certifed and Fair Trade factory in India that both empowers and employs 4,816 people. Pact ofsets the environmental impact of each of its products through reforestation, renewable energy, and community projects that sequester carbon from the atmosphere. www.wearpact.com
Natural Bamboo Wireless Charger by EcoBlvd
As a company, EcoBlvd sits at “the intersection of style and sustainability.” Combining bamboo with 100% recycled postconsumer materials, this Bamboo Wireless charger comes in a natural option alongside colored or patterned charging plates. Match the plate to your personality or ofce, or keep things simplistic with smooth, reclaimed bamboo grain. Great for 15W charging with a 40-inch USB-A to USB-C cable, the charger utilizes reclaimed aluminum and steel. It’s a small and light product, yet powerful in its purpose and for the planet. It’s compatible with both Apple and Android devices, and it’s Qicertifed for charging. EcoBlvd provides carbon-neutral shipping on each order. www.ecoblvd.com
It’s not what you think — and it might be the key to unlocking your best self.
BY SHELBY TUTTLE
AAhead of the launch of his new book, “Heavily Meditated” (out May 20), Dave Asprey, the pioneering force behind the biohacking movement, sat down for an interview with Green Living. In a candid, fast-paced dialogue, we explored the profound importance of forgiveness, a cornerstone of his new book and topic that he’s explored signifcantly in his own life.
“The hardest lesson I’ve learned through this process is how to let go of the things that hurt me, so they don’t control my emotions, my actions, and my life,” explains the nine-time author in his newest work.
In the book, Asprey adds forgiveness to his original “F-word framework”— the concepts of fear, food, fertility, and friendships used to explain our unconscious behaviors — discussed at length on his podcast and in previous works. Asprey posits that these notions determine where we allocate our energy, and that they can be controlled or “hacked.” Forgiveness, Asprey says, is a game changer.
“It’s about letting go of pain so it doesn’t control how you treat yourself or others. This is the true essence of biohacking,” he writes.
FORGIVENESS IS A PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE
Asprey’s journey to this revelation was born from his never ending commitment to self-experimentation and a relentless pursuit of information. For years, his biohacking philosophy has revolved around changing internal and external environments to optimize one’s
biology, mind, and life. He’s experimented with dozens of modalities, pioneered the first grass-fed, no-seed-oil restaurant in Los Angeles, launched a successful holistic coffee brand, and built a regenerative farm to help his family grow their own food. Asprey has long understood that our surroundings profoundly impact our well-being, but knew that a critical piece was missing.
“If you’re still holding a grudge, nothing helps,” Asprey says.
This key insight emerged from his extensive study across various sciences, healing methods, and cultures. He references numerous teachers – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar of The Art of Living, Dr. Barry Morguelan, Paul Stamets, Dr. Alberto Villoldo, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and the legendary Dr. Stan Grof – and their work, through which he connected the message and profound impact of letting go.
As with his earlier work, this knowledge led him to apply the same rigorous, data-driven approach to the concept of forgiveness. In his work with clients, Asprey often hooks them up to electrodes to measure their physiological response. His discovery?
“Forgiveness isn’t a thought. It’s below the neck. It’s a state change, an altered state. And altered states are whole body states, not cognitive states,” he says.
When the data doesn’t align with his clients’ claims of forgiveness, he challenges them.
“It’s very easy to forgiveness-wash yourself the same way you can greenwash a brand,” he explained, noting that people can convince themselves they’ve forgiven while still harboring resentment.
“We can measure what’s happening in a person — either you forgave or you didn’t,” he says matter-of-factly.
When the data doesn’t point to release, Asprey advises clients to repeat what he calls his Reset Process.
“They finally do the scary, hard forgiveness work and then they come out and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’m free,’” he says.
Forgiveness, in Asprey’s view, isn’t about excusing bad behavior; it’s about transcending the ego, making space for compassion and understanding, and releasing emotional baggage for a clearer, more peaceful mindset.
BIOHACKING AS A PATH TO SPIRITUAL MASTERY
This journey holds particular significance for men, a demographic Asprey believes can benefit immensely from embracing forgiveness. Many high-performing male entrepreneurs, he finds, operate with nervous systems constantly locked in “fight” mode — a survival mechanism often mistakenly labeled as strength. He challenges the “alpha male” archetype by pointing to research on wolf packs.
“The young aggressive ones that are in the front… They’re not the leaders. They’re the young ones basically getting chewed up by whatever they’re chewing up. The old guy guides them on,” he says. “It turns out wisdom and patience are the real attributes of leadership, not this aggressiveness.”
Asprey points out that the ingrained need to fight often stems from early experiences, like being bullied. According to Asprey, the goal isn’t to suppress these feelings, but rather to turn off the non-functioning triggers that drain energy, leading to an unshakeable inner peace regardless of external circumstances. When men achieve this state, they become a source of safety and positive energy for those around them, fostering deeper connections and a more harmonious world.
He concludes, “When we show up, it changes the way everyone else shows up in a really beautiful way.”
Photo by Sandy Grigsby
a Good Man? What Makes
10 Perspectives on manhood in today’s modern world
BY SHELBY TUTTLE
TThe traditional image of masculinity is evolving. Outdated notions of manhood are becoming obsolete, making way for a more nuanced and compassionate understanding of what it means to be a good man. Below, a diverse collection of viewpoints from gents around the Valley ofers a refreshing look at modern masculinity. From these 10 perspectives, refections converge on themes of cultivating self-love as a foundation for genuine connection; actively challenging outdated, rigid themes, and embracing a profound love and responsibility for others.
Yet, while this more expansive and compassionate understanding of manhood is gaining traction, it faces resistance from those who, perhaps out of fear of losing traditional power or identity, cling to antiquated viewpoints. Through these insights, we can see that this evolution is not actually a dismantling of masculinity, but a celebration of its potential for love, empathy, and authentic strength that comes from within.
DEREK HICKS, 41, SALES MANAGER
There are so many recent examples of loud, toxic, immature manhood t hat berate a nd degrade women or those different from them. Healthy, mature masculinity means being able to show respect for
others without feeling compromised in your own manhood. It means showing up with emotional maturity to support your partner and kids and being able to ask for support when needed. It means seeking to understand and not judge during conflict, admitting when you’re wrong, and taking accountability for your actions. Good men stand for what’s right but are open to new ideas and concepts and can agree to disagree with kindness and compassion.
COLTON TUTTLE, 33, GOLF PROFESSIONAL
I think being a good man means acting from a place of honesty, integrity, and kindness to others. It’s important to stand up for your beliefs but also never to be too proud to be wrong. I also believe that you can make it far in this world simply by showing up and being kind.
STEPHEN JONES, 46, CHEF/OWNER OF THE LARDER & THE DELTA
For me, being a good man starts, first and foremost, with being a good human being and embodying the qualities of humility, compassion, and respect. It also begins with being good to oneself. Learning to love and respect yourself, to understand your worth, and to stand with pride and conviction are essential. Self-love, in this context, isn’t selfish; it’s the bedrock upon which we build the ability to show genuine love, compassion, and humility towards others. My priority is to make sure my boys understand that it’s okay to express their feelings, to be vulnerable, and to use their voices. I want to instill in them the importance of leadership and unwavering respect for women and for themselves.
JOE GRASSIA, 77, RETIRED CO-OWNER OF AN ARTIST COLLECTIVE
In the twilight of my life, I regret not having fully explored love to the extent of what I now understand it to be. My world was limited with unnecessary boundaries I put in place for myself, my family, and friends. As a society, we have become so timid and withhold love from ourselves and others. We close ourselves off so as to not feel pain or suffering, but that prevents us from truly connecting with those around
us. Being a good man is about leading with an open heart — asking how we can provide love and comfort to others and being open to receiving love ourselves.
MICHAEL BREECHER, 45, SOFTWARE ENGINEER
I am the father of three boys and want nothing more than to help them grow up to be strong, smart, and fearless men. I think that strength comes from strong support at home in nurturing the natural feelings they express, in addition to fostering a healthy respect for boundaries. Being a good man also means showing up for my relationship by sharing the responsibilities of raising kids and running a household. Finally, being a good man is about considering the rest of humanity. There’s a natural myopic tendency of people to focus on their own problems and ignore those of others, but investing in your community and its people is what makes prosperity possible.
OSCAR DE LAS SALAS, 56, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE, GENSLER
Being a good man today means more than strength or success — it means sharing your confidence with
Photo by Katie Levine Photography
others, holding space for kindness, and recognizing the struggles others are going through. It’s about being accountable — not only for your own words and actions, but also for the environment you help create. When something is said or done that lacks respect, value, or relevance, a good man speaks up or acts, especially when it benefits the greater good. It requires constant reflection on the presence we bring, the messages we send, and the actions we take. The outdated image of the stoic, stubborn, dominant man — once idolized — is no more. Today’s good man rejects performative masculinity that chases validation through force or bravado. Ultimately, being a good man is a practice. It calls for humility, accountability, and love — not just toward others, but toward ourselves, too.
KEVIN ANDERSON, 46, OWNER, THE OFFICE SALON
To me, being a good man comes down to showing up and being there for your people on every level — emotionally, physically, and spiritually. When you consistently show up, you become a reliable foundation for the people in your life. It’s about showing strength through caring and understanding, not aggression and control.
greatness while equally working to lead by example for his children. A good man isn’t afraid of his masculinity and tries not to submit to the pressures of today’s social media-driven world, standing up for what he believes is right, even if it goes against popular or mainstream ideologies.
I don’t think about being a good man as much as I think about being a good human. I’ve managed to maintain happiness by doing what I love for work, which is less about the actual products we sell and more about creating inclusive, welcoming spaces. I believe this whole trend of toxic masculinity is rooted in that age-old “us/them” dynamic. What a fallacy. There is no “them.” That’s a boogie-man-in-the-woods myth that’s meant to divide us. So, I guess a good man recognizes that as a human, your place in the world is to spread love and create fulfilling connections.
VALENTINO GANGI, 67, RETIRED FROM THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY
A good man tries to follow in the footsteps of
A good man is a person of integrity — someone who is reliable and does what he says he will do. In his dealings with people, a good man is honest, trustworthy, and has regard for others’ welfare. He helps neighbors and friends when he can. He is generous, gives from the heart, and loves openly. In a good man, what you see is what you get.
DAVID TYDA, 49, OWNER, BARCOA AGAVERIA
GIO OSSO, 53, CHEF/OWNER, VIRTÙ HOSPITALITY
