I’m Isaac, I’m 17 and I live in Blackburn, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. I’m also in the best mental state I’ve ever been in.

In my early teens, I felt lost in myself. My anxiety and depression were at an all-time high. 

I was desperate. So when The Man Cave visited my school, it was a turning point. I learned that the Cave was offering another program, called Caveboy X, to boys like me who wanted to build stronger friendships and cope with their emotions.

It was a 12-week program that took place both in-person – we had three meet-ups at The Man Cave HQ in Brunswick – and online, with weekly Zoom calls. 

It completely changed my life, and brought me back to where I wanted to be, helping to build me up to the strong and confident young man I am today.

It taught me that opening up about how I am feeling, even when it’s hard, is a sign of strength, not weakness. This is a trait I look up to in others, and especially so in sporting fields: I play and umpire local football on the weekends.

Perhaps more than anyone, I admire Bailey Smith for how authentic and vulnerable he has been in opening up about his challenges.

I first came across a clip of this when I was scrolling on Instagram and a Man Cave post came up: Bailey Smith had featured on a podcast and was talking about his struggle with mental health issues with The Man Cave’s co-founder Hunter Johnson.

I stopped mid-scroll and watched the entire clip. When I heard his story, I instantly thought of what I had gone through in recent years and how relatable Bailey’s story was to my own. 

I admire how he continues to be his authentic self and speak openly. When he did so at the All-Australian awards, it hit close to home. He spoke about how his mental health declined rapidly when he ruptured his ACL, and how he sought psychiatric help. I thought of a time when I was in a similar situation, and how I decided to go to hospital to get help.

I think it is incredibly important for sporting figures in particular to open up about their mental health struggles, as it shows that it shouldn’t be frowned upon. It is one of the stepping stones needed to try and change the hyper masculine nature of so much sport.

Over the past year, I have learned that it is incredibly courageous for young men to open up, draw people in and inspire them. I think organisations like The Man Cave and footy stars like Bailey have started a movement towards more openness and authenticity amongst men, and that can only be a good thing.

Isaac Wicklein is a young man who has been through several Man Cave programs and advocates for open and honest conversations about men’s mental health. 

Published Thu 28th November, 2025.