OPINION
Look, I've written a lot about masculinity this year.
I've written about why a healthier brand of masculinity is a win for everyone. I've written about the epidemic of intimate partner violence at the hands of men, and how it can be exacerbated by sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup and State of Origin. I've also written about the challenges of growing up as a highly sensitive boy; the pack mentality that can often lead to boys like me being bullied at school.
But in among all the bleak statistics and worrying social trends, there are good men who continue to do good work, not only in their chosen professions, but in the uphill battle against toxic ideas of masculinity.
So today, on International Men's Day we thought we'd take a moment to highlight some all-round great men; those who use their platforms to lift others up and challenge social norms.
1. Terry Crews
As far as big burly blokes go, Terry Crews is as soft and lovely as they come - and we adore him for it. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star has earned a reputation for championing vulnerability in men, regularly taking to social media and sharing his insightful #MondayMotivations.
When it comes to healthy masculinity, Crews isn't afraid to walk the walk. Not only is his Brooklyn Nine-Nine character Terry Jeffords a highly sensitive and emotionally intelligent police sergeant and father of two girls, the actor has been a vocal presence throughout the #MeToo movement, opening up about his experience as a survivor of sexual assault.
Crews proves that masculinity and sensitivity aren't mutually exclusive - and that vulnerability and openness are indeed signs of strength.
2. Lin-Manuel Miranda
To be honest, Lin-Manuel Miranda's Twitter feed alone is enough to earn his place on this list. The composer, lyricist, singer, actor and playwright (sheesh, settle down there you beautiful over-achiever) is refreshingly open on social media about his role as a husband and father. 
Not only that, he's a vocal LGBTIQ+ ally and has gifted the world Broadway mega-hit Hamilton. The multi-talented producer is also behind the tracks 'How Far I'll Go' and 'You’re Welcome' from Disney’s empowering animated flick Moana, which, I mean, is an embodiment of healthy masculinity if ever we saw one.
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3. Nick Offerman
Husband to the formidable Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman (AKA Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation) is a wonderful example of a man who knows precisely who he is - and has no problem sharing it with the world.
A proud advocate of open crying ("Crying at something that moves you to joy or sadness is just as manly as chopping down a tree or punching out a bad guy"), the actor and performer is a great case study for overtly ‘masculine’ presenting men who express their masculinity in healthy ways.
This was particularly evident during a 2017 interview with Men's Health magazine, in which Offerman was questioned about being a "man's man".
Offerman was quick to challenge the perception, saying: "I went to theater school. I took two semesters of ballet. I’m the sissy in my family. I cry with pretty great regularity."
"I stand for my principles and I work hard and I have good manners, but machismo is a double-sided coin," he continued. "A lot of people think it requires behavior that can quickly veer into misogyny and things I consider indecent. We’ve been sold this weird John Wayne mentality that fistfights and violence are vital to being a man."
4. Chris Evans
Known to many as the ultra-masculine Captain America, actor Chris Evans is a breath of fresh air in Hollywood.
The star, who has a close relationship with his gay younger brother, has been a staunch ally for members of the LGBTIQ+ community, taking to social media earlier this year to slam the organisers of Boston's 'Straight Pride' event.
"Wow! Cool initiative, fellas!!" He tweeted at the time.
He added: "Just a thought, instead of ‘Straight Pride’ parade, how about this: The ‘desperately trying to bury our own gay thoughts by being homophobic because no one taught us how to access our emotions as children’ parade?"
When UK shock jock Piers Morgan made fun of James Bond actor Daniel Craig for wearing a baby-carrying sling in public, describing him as "emasculated", Evans hit back.
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"You really have to be so uncertain of your own masculinity to concern yourself with how another man carries his child," Evans tweeted in response.
"Any man who wastes time quantifying masculinity is terrified on the inside.”
*Wipes away happy tear*
5. Barack Obama
Source: AFP
“All of us have to recognise that being a man is first and foremost being a good human,” he said at a conference for Steph Curry's 'My Brother's Keeper' initiative.
“That means being responsible, working hard, being kind, respectful, compassionate.
“If you’re confident about your strength, you don’t need to show me by putting somebody else down. Show me by lifting somebody else up.”
He just gets it.
6. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
When it comes to a visual representation of traditional masculinity, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is one of the first Hollywood celebrities to comes to mind - but the actor is so much more than just another action movie star.
Over the years, the father of three daughters has been incredibly forthcoming in discussing his struggle with depression.
"Depression doesn't discriminate and I thought that was an important part of the narrative, if I was going to share a little bit of my story of the past," he said on British talk show Lorraine. "Regardless of who you are, what you do for a living or where you come from, it doesn't discriminate. We all kind of go through it. And I thought, well, use that experience. If I could share a little bit of it with people and if I could help somebody, I'm happy to do it."
"The key that I found," he continued, "the revelation [is] for us to be okay in embracing [it]. Especially us as guys, as men. There's just a DNA, there's a wiring in us and a constitution that oftentimes doesn't let us talk about if we're scared or vulnerable or things like that. It's kind of like what's been deemed as 'toxic masculinity.'"
He added: "But no, you've got to talk about it. You're not alone. I was an only child and I kept that bottled in, like, deep, deep down. It wasn't good, so I'm happy to share my story."
We love to see it.
Samuel Leighton-Dore is a writer and visual artist, and winner of the 2019 ACON Honours award for visual art.He is the author of graphic novel 'How to be a big strong man' exploring the impact of rigid masculine stereotypes on young boys and men. You can find more of his #Howtobeabigstrongman series here.
