Skill of the Week: Cross a Piranha-Infested River

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

Here’s the good news: piranhas very rarely attack humans unless said humans are already injured or dead. Here’s the bad news, according to Ray Owczarzak, assistant curator of fishes at the National Aquarium in Baltimore: it would only take about 5 minutes for a good-sized school of piranhas to devour an entire man.

Luckily, you won’t encounter piranhas anywhere in the world except South America, where they live only in freshwater, typically in warm, slow-moving rivers and floodplains. If you have your choice of season, pick the wet season (October-March) when piranhas have plenty to eat and won’t be feeling quite as bitey. And it goes without saying, if you see piranhas actively feeding in the water you’re about to cross, choose a different spot unless you’re the sort of person that enjoys sticking their hand into an active blender. 

Illustration by Ted Slampyak

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

Men Gain Self-confidence, Bonding, Grooming Abilities Daughters Teach Make Up Fundamentals

This original article was first published here: Men Gain Confidence, Bonding, Grooming Skills Daughters Teach Make Up Basics

When Victoria Beckham posted a reel of her daughter playfully applying foundation to David Beckham, the internet reacted with a mix of surprise, admiration, and curiosity. For many, it was a lighthearted family moment. But beneath the fun lies a bigger conversation: why should men embrace learning makeup skills from the women in their lives — especially their wives or daughters?

Makeup isn’t about hiding masculinity or changing identity. It’s about understanding grooming, presentation, and confidence. Allowing a daughter or wife to demonstrate something as simple as using a foundation brush can lead to bonding, new self-care routines, and a refreshing sense of openness. In this article, we’ll explore why men should adopt this practice, how teenage daughters can be surprisingly good teachers, and tips on incorporating foundation and other basics into a modern man’s grooming routine.

The Shift in Men’s Grooming

For centuries, grooming was seen as primarily feminine. Cosmetics, powders, and facial care products were marketed almost exclusively to women. Yet if we go back to history, makeup was widely used by men — from Egyptian pharaohs applying kohl to accentuate their eyes, to 18th-century European aristocrats dusting powder across their faces.

In recent years, men’s grooming has gone mainstream. Skincare routines, beard oils, tinted moisturizers, and even concealers are part of the modern male bathroom shelf. Social media, celebrities, and influencers have normalized men paying attention to presentation.

When David Beckham allowed his daughter to use a foundation brush on him, it wasn’t about vanity. It was about showing comfort in grooming beyond the old stereotypes.

Why a Daughter Might Be the Best Teacher

Teenagers today grow up with access to beauty tutorials, TikTok hacks, and product knowledge that rivals professional makeup artists. A teenage daughter teaching her dad how to use a foundation brush isn’t just cute; it’s practical.

Here’s why daughters make excellent teachers for their dads:

They’re fearless experimenters. Teenagers aren’t afraid of trying bold looks or testing new products. Their willingness to play helps dads overcome hesitation.They know trends. From contouring to blending, they’re immersed in techniques men may never have encountered.They’re natural educators. Kids love role-reversal moments where they get to “teach” parents something. It boosts confidence for them and humility for you.They bring honesty. A teenager won’t sugarcoat whether your foundation looks streaky. That honesty is valuable.They create bonding. A ten-minute lesson can spark conversation, laughter, and memories far beyond makeup.

Breaking the Stigma

For many men, the idea of applying foundation might trigger resistance. “That’s not for me,” or “I don’t need makeup.” But reframing is key. Foundation isn’t about faking beauty; it’s about even skin tone, hiding blemishes, or simply looking more polished for a professional setting.

Think about it this way: we already accept haircuts, shaving, beard grooming, and skincare. Makeup is simply an extension of that grooming. A light touch of foundation or concealer can reduce under-eye circles after a late night, or make you look fresh for an important meeting.

Celebrities, athletes, and politicians often wear makeup for appearances, interviews, or stage lights. Why should the everyday man feel excluded

Odds & Ends: August 22, 2025

The Iliad by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles. My 14-year-old son Gus just finished this Homeric epic, and he really enjoyed it. We’ve had some great conversations about it. Fagles’ translation is my go-to for Homer because it’s accessible without dumbing down the poet’s power. It’s a hefty tome at nearly 700 pages, but Gus said that while it wasn’t an easy book, it read quickly. When I asked what lessons he took from the Iliad, he responded: “Don’t crash out over women.” This is why we read the Great Books!

The Cyclone at Coney Island. During a recent family trip to NYC, we took the Q train out to Coney Island to take in the sights, eat a hot dog, and ride the Cyclone. While we went expecting a slice of Americana, the destination was…decidedly seedier than expected. Nonetheless, the Cyclone rollercoaster was still a highlight. This wooden coaster has been around since 1927, and it’s one of the most exhilarating rides I’ve been on. As one would expect, the Cyclone offers a rougher, more unpredictable ride than modern steel coasters. Every turn feels like it might send you flying out of the cart, there are plenty of satisfying drops, and it goes on longer than you expect. The thing is almost 100 years old and still delivers. 

The Night of the Hunter If you’re looking for a Southern Gothic thriller that’s equal parts beautiful and terrifying, cue up this 1955 masterpiece. Charles Laughton’s sole directorial effort follows a sinister preacher (Robert Mitchum), “LOVE” and “HATE” tattooed across his knuckles, as he hunts two children for their father’s stolen money. Set along the Ohio River during the Depression, it has that distinctly Southern Gothic atmosphere — religious fanaticism and moral decay lurking beneath piety. Laughton’s stark cinematography turns it into a dark fairy tale. It feels at times like a Twilight Zone episode. And Mitchum’s performance is top-notch. 

The Great American Fitness Boom. Derek Thompson recently published a fascinating analysis showing that, contrary to what you might assume, Americans are working out more than ever, with exercise participation up 20% since 2003. The trend is being led by young people and older women. Thompson argues the rise in exercising amongst the former group reflects a cultural shift where young people are “health-maxing” instead of partying — trading late nights for early morning workouts. A trend within this trend that’s interesting is how Americans are exercising: while more Americans are working out, they’re increasingly doing it by themselves and at home. Group fitness classes like SoulCycle and CrossFit have cratered, while at-home yoga sessions and garage gyms have skyrocketed. We had Derek on the podcast a while back to discuss his article about the problem of social isolation, and his latest data suggests that the uptick in Americans exercising by themselves might be contributing to it. It’s great that folks are prioritizing physical health, though they might improve their all-around well-being by exercising with others.

On our Dying Breed newsletter, we published Average Is Over (In Everything).

Quote of the Week

Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.

—Ernest Hemingway

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.

How to Turn Treading Water Into a Legit Workout

When you think of water workouts, your mind probably goes to lap swimming, water aerobics, or maybe some high-octane Navy SEAL pool drill. What probably doesn’t come to mind is treading water — something you learned in swim class as a survival skill and haven’t thought much about since.

But treading water isn’t just for passing a Red Cross test or keeping yourself afloat while waiting for a lifeguard. With a little intentionality, it can be turned into a surprisingly effective — and satisfyingly challenging — full-body workout.

Why Treading Water Is Good Exercise in General

Let’s first look at what makes treading water beneficial even before you try to level it up:

Full-body engagement: An efficient tread uses your arms, legs, and core in coordination. The flutter kick, scissor kick, or eggbeater motion all activate your lower body, while your arms sweep and stabilize.Cardiovascular and muscular endurance: Staying afloat taxes both your aerobic capacity and your muscular endurance, especially the longer you do it.Low impact: It’s easy on your joints. If you’re dealing with nagging injuries or trying to stay active during recovery, it’s a solid option.Real-world utility: Treading water builds the kind of practical fitness that could one day keep you alive — or help you save someone else.Mental toughness: There’s a primal discomfort in the feeling of not being able to rest — of having no edge to lean on, no ground to stand. Learning to push through that discomfort builds your poise under pressure. 

How to Make Treading Water a Legit Workout

Most people tread water inefficiently and lazily — just enough to keep their nose above the surface. But that doesn’t activate the full potential of this exercise. Mixing in these elements will:

1. Add Time-Based Intervals

Instead of aimlessly bobbing around, structure your session like you would a gym workout:

Warm up: 3 minutes easy treadingMain set: 5 rounds of 1 minute hard treading, 30 seconds easyCool down: 2 minutes easy“Hard treading” means using faster, more forceful movements — like exaggerated eggbeater kicks and aggressive arm sweeps — to keep your upper chest and even your shoulders above the waterline.

2. Go Hands-Free

Cross your arms over your chest or raise them overhead while kicking. This forces your legs and core to work overtime and completely removes the assistance of your arms. Try to hold for 20–30 seconds, then recover with normal treading.

3. Hold a Weight

Grab a 5-10 lb object like a dumbbell or brick and hold it at your chest or overhead while treading. This instantly boosts the difficulty and mimics classic lifeguard or military pool drills.

Warning: If you’re not a strong swimmer, make sure a capable buddy or lifeguard is watching while you do this. It’s no joke.

4. Perform Water-Based “Strength” Moves

Mix in controlled movements to target different muscle groups:

Water pushdowns: Push the water down as hard and fast as you can with straight arms.Flutter kick sprints: Keep your legs straight and kick rapidly without using your hands.Bicycle kicks: Mimic riding a bike while staying upright — harder than it sounds.

5. Set a Distance Marker

Pick a pool lane and tread from one side to the other without swimming — just vertical movement. This forces forward propulsion through awkward, inefficient movement, taxing your stabilizers and coordination.

Sample 20-Minute Treading Water Workout

Here’s a simple beginner-to-intermediate routine:

TimeActivity0:00–3:00Warm-up (easy treading)3:00–4:00Hard treading4:00–4:30Rest (light treading)4:30–5:30Hands-free treading5:30–6:00Rest6:00–7:00Treading while holding weight7:00–7:30Rest7:30–10:00Intervals: 30s sprint treading / 30s rest x 310:00–12:00Pushdowns and flutter kicks12:00–15:00Distance tread (cross pool vertically 2–3 times)15:00–17:00Hands-free or overhead hold challenge17:00–20:00Cool down (easy treading)

Final Tips

Stay upright: The workout is in the vertical position. If you’re angled back like you’re floating in a La-Z-Boy, you’re doing it wrong.Don’t touch the bottom: Treading only

Quality Leather Wallets-- A Smart Financial Investment for the Modern Male

This original article was first published here: Quality Leather Wallets – A Smart Investment for the Modern Man

Leather wallets have always held a prestigious place in the pantheon of men’s fashion and practicality. They are not just carriers for cash and cards, but symbols of style and status. The value they add to one’s daily life, along with their durability, makes them a smart investment for any man. Below, we explore why a high-quality leather wallet should be a cornerstone in every modern man’s pocket.

The Craftsmanship Behind Premium Leather Wallets

Behind every quality leather wallet is a story of meticulous craftsmanship. Skilled artisans with a deep understanding of leatherwork invest considerable time into creating each piece. They choose the best hides, consider the grain, and cut the leather to minimize flaws and maximize aesthetic appeal and durability.

Attention to detail is evident in the precision stitching, the burnishing of edges, and the careful assembly that results in a seamless user experience. Artisans take pride in their craft, with their expertise often passed down through generations, ensuring that traditional methods are preserved.

For those who value authenticity, handmade leather wallets offer an extra level of exclusivity. These wallets are not just products; they are personal creations born from a fusion of artistry and practical design considerations.

How Quality Leather Wallets Stand the Test of Time

The longevity of a leather wallet is unparalleled when it’s crafted from quality materials. Genuine leather is renowned for its durability and ability to withstand the wear and tear of daily use. Unlike synthetic alternatives, it doesn’t crack or peel but instead becomes more pliant and character-rich with age.

Fine leather also offers a degree of natural resistance to the elements. It can protect its contents from an unexpected rain shower, and with proper care, it can retain its lustre for years. This resilience translates to fewer replacements, making it a sound long-term financial choice.

On top of its physical sustainability, a quality leather wallet maintains its aesthetic value over time. The gradual development of a patina adds a unique beauty, making the wallet more visually striking as it ages, a characteristic only found in genuine leather products.

Style and Functionality: Why Leather Wallets are a Staple in Men’s Fashion

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Podcast # 1,081: Aristotle's Art of Self-Persuasion-- How to Use Ancient Rhetoric to Modification Your Life

The ancient art of rhetoric has shaped political policies, influenced social movements, structured legal arguments, and molded cultural narratives throughout history. It’s been used for three thousand years to persuade other people to change their lives.

But what if you could use it to persuade yourself?

My guest today says you can. Jay Heinrichs is the author of Aristotle’s Guide to Self-Persuasion, and he explains how the same rhetorical techniques that great leaders and orators have used for millennia can be turned inward to help you change your life. We discuss how to identify your “soul” as your internal audience, use the concept of kairos to turn chaos into opportunity, create hyperbolic moonshot goals that inspire action even if you fall short, and employ ethos, pathos, and logos to achieve the habits and goals you aspire to. Along the way, we talk about how Jay used these self-leadership tools to go from barely being able to walk to attempting an athletic feat physiologists told him was impossible.

Resources Related to the Podcast

Jay’s previous appearance on the AoM podcast: Episode #639 — Why You Should Learn the Lost Art of RhetoricAoM series on Rhetoric 101

Connect With Jay Heinrichs

Jay’s websiteArgueLab

Listen to the Podcast! (And don’t forget to leave us a review!)

Listen to the episode on a separate page.

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Transcript Coming Soon

This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.