CENTENNIAL, CO — October 2026 — BeMen Foundation Inc., a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to male wellness, will host the 2026 Masculine Empowerment Network (M.E.N.) Summit on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at The Village Workspace, located at 7173 S. Havana St. #600, Centennial, CO 80112. Under the theme “The Summit Within” and the message “Stronger Men – Better World,” the event will bring together adult men and teenage boys ages 13–17 for a day of honest conversations, personal reflection, practical guidance, and meaningful connections.
The summit seeks to address the challenges facing men today by providing an environment where participants can examine their lives, strengthen relationships, develop healthier habits, and connect with others who share a commitment to personal growth.
Organized by BeMen founder Brett “Zach” Zachman, the gathering will feature four national speakers presenting TEDx-style talks, followed by interactive breakout sessions that encourage participants to apply what they learn.
Four National Speakers to Address Key Areas of Men’s Wellness
The 2026 M.E.N. Summit will feature four speakers addressing key aspects of men’s personal development, including mental toughness, emotional intelligence, financial freedom, and physical fitness. Each speaker will share insights and practical strategies intended to help participants assess their current challenges and take meaningful steps toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The featured speakers and their presentation topics include:
- John Register — Mental Toughness: Exploring the role of mental resilience in overcoming adversity, facing personal challenges, and developing the determination to move forward.
- Jayson Gaddis — Emotional Intelligence: Examining emotional awareness, communication, and the skills men need to build healthier relationships with themselves and others.
- Mike Wilk — Financial Freedom: Addressing financial well-being, personal responsibility, and the importance of developing habits that support greater financial stability and independence.
- Dr. James Rouse — Physical Fitness: Discussing the importance of physical health, daily habits, and personal wellness in supporting a healthier, more active life.
Following each presentation, attendees will participate in breakout sessions intended to encourage discussion, personal reflection, and practical application of the ideas presented. The format reflects BeMen’s commitment to moving beyond motivational speeches and helping men make meaningful changes in their everyday lives.
“Men are facing more pressure than ever,” said Zachman, a Denver native, father of two grown sons, and longtime advocate for male wellness. “The Summit is a day of meaningful conversations, practical tools, personal reflection, and authentic connection with men committed to becoming better tomorrow than they are today.”
The summit centers on three principles: Real Conversations! Real Connection! Real Growth! Through four TEDx-style presentations by national speakers, breakout sessions following each talk, and guided discussions, participants will have opportunities to examine personal challenges and explore practical solutions. The program includes BeMen’s Five Pillars of Male Wellness rubric and The Slight Edge lifestyle approach, which focuses on creating daily disciplines that support long-term personal growth.
Addressing the Challenges Facing Men and Families
BeMen’s mission stems from concerns about men’s emotional health, family relationships, and their roles in society. The organization promotes a healthier view of masculinity through its Five Pillars of Male Wellness and its call for men to rediscover the Gentleman, Hero, and Warrior within themselves.
At the heart of BeMen’s mission is a question: What does it mean to be a man in 2026? The organization challenges the belief that men must reject emotions or vulnerability to demonstrate masculinity. Instead, BeMen encourages men to embrace wellness, emotional awareness, and personal responsibility as essential parts of healthy masculinity. Its message is direct: “Wellness is not wussy, feelings are not feminine, and masculinity is not toxic!”
BeMen encourages men to reconnect with three qualities the organization believes exist within every man: the Gentleman, representing chivalry and respect for others; the Hero, representing positive male role models; and the Warrior, representing the internal struggles of the heart, mind, and soul. Through its Five Pillars of Male Wellness, BeMen offers a framework to help men develop these qualities in their daily lives.
BeMen identifies three major areas of concern that it believes demand greater public attention: suicide among men, intimate partner violence, and children growing up without active involvement from their biological fathers. The organization cites figures indicating that men experience suicide rates three to five times higher than women, one in three women report intimate partner violence during their lifetimes, and one in three children grow up without active involvement from their biological fathers. BeMen views these issues as reasons to encourage healthier masculinity, stronger family relationships, and greater personal accountability.
