This is a unique coming-of-age sports documentary series presented by rugby superstar Jordan Conroy who also acts as mentor and friend to the ten male teenage participants. In an age where the definition and understanding of what makes a man is questioned, Jordan attempts to guide his charges using his own very personal life experience to a new and modern understanding of what it is to be a man. In fact, the series’ name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to toxic masculinity, and a rebuttal to the exhortation to ‘man up’.
The series’ participants are ten teenage boys aged 12-14 who have never met before and who have very different personalities and come from different socio-economic backgrounds, classes and cultures. Some are into sports and martial arts, others into gaming and music, still others prefer drama and philosophy, and more besides. Each of them faces their own challenges in everyday life, such as racism, bullying, ADHD, dyslexia, body image difficulties, and parental separation. The one thing they all have in common is their readiness to try something new and their honesty and openness.
The series is presented by Olympian Jordan Conroy, a superstar player for Irelands’ national rugby sevens team. With over a hundred tries for Ireland, he will represent Ireland in the 2024 Summer Olympics. No stranger to turmoil, Jordon’s own personal journey is an inspirational one, from helping his mother escape an abusive relationship in Germany when he was still a child, to fighting his own inner demons through adolescence. A naturally warm and charismatic man with a true understanding of how difficult life can be, Jordan is the ideal mentor for these young boys as they navigate the challenges the series presents.
The series features many special guests including Paralympian table tennis player Colin Judge, boxer Jack Marley, Karen Byrne from Dancing With The Stars, Recently retired Shelbourne Captain Luke Byrne, gamer Peter ‘Pacbull’ Bull, rower Niall O’Toole, Gaelic footballer Kevin McManamon, and rugby sevens player and Olympian Bryan Mollen. These guests will bring their differing perspectives, motivation and inspiration in each episode to help the boys along their journey.
Episode 3
While the personal development might be going well, the rounders training is not. Tensions regarding position emerge. Luke Byrne is brought in to teach them about team work and discuss the issue of anger and how to handle it. With testosterone running through their veins both Jordon and Luke openly talk about how they made mistakes in the past and how their learnt to handle anger issues. The boys open up on this subject in a very revealing and funny way. In an effort to refocus their efforts on their up and coming clash with the All Ireland rounders champion, Jordon takes them skiing!
Not real skiing but to the training slopes in Wicklow. Tensions grow for the first time when the issue of girls is brought up. Jordon has to exert his authority for the first time and it looks like this particular Nirvana might be showing cracks.
Guest in Episode 03: Luke Bryne. former captain of Shelbourne FC
