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HELPING BOYS
GROW INTO
WHOLENESS AND CONNECTION
Stronger Minds Stronger Men helps boys build a healthy relationship with themselves and with others—in sports and in life.
FROM THE FOUNDER
Redefining strength from the inside out. For most of my life, I thought being strong meant staying silent. As a boy and an athlete, I learned to hide the parts of myself that felt too soft or vulnerable. But when a male mentor once cried in front of me—and then apologized—I realized that real strength isn’t about suppressing emotion; it’s about having the courage to feel it.
I started Stronger Minds Stronger Men to help boys and young men see that it’s okay to feel, be authentic, and talk about it. Through mentorship and community, we’re redefining strength as something rooted in authenticity, connection and empathy.
As a Chinese-American whose first language was Mandarin, I attended a French immersion elementary school, where learning in another language taught me to see the world through multiple lenses and to appreciate different ways of expressing emotion. Later, at an all-boys school, I reflected on how boys are socialized to define strength—and how that definition can evolve. As a senior in high school, all these pieces of my past have culminated in my commitment to help boys in my generation to thrive.
—Caleb Wong
“Every boy learns a definition of strength. The question is—does it make him stronger or more alone?”
— Caleb Wong
WHY CONNECTION MATTERS
"The clearest finding from 85 years of Harvard research is this: meaningful relationships keep us healthier and happier"
— Harvard Study on Adult Development
For 85 years, Harvard’s Study on Adult Development has asked one question: What makes a good life?
Its answer is clear—meaningful relationships are the strongest predictor of physical health, mental health, and longevity.
At Stronger Minds Stronger Men, this truth is at the heart of our mission. We believe that helping boys build healthy, connected relationships—with themselves and with others—isn’t just good for their growth.
It’s foundational to a thriving life.
WHAT WE DO
Too often, boys learn to stay silent instead of real. Our programs give them the tools to reconnect—with themselves and with others.
Through our programs, boys:
Share and hear real stories—through podcasts, blogs, and outreach—turning personal growth into collective change
Practice openness and connection in a safe space.
Use sports as a training ground for emotional authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy.
MEET THE TEAM
Caleb Wong
Founder & President
I’m a high school senior passionate about reimagining what strength means for boys and young men in today’s world. As a lifelong athlete and storyteller, I founded Stronger Minds Stronger Men to help my generation move beyond outdated ideas of masculinity and toward a culture of authenticity, empathy, and connection. My perspective has been shaped by a diverse educational journey and cross-cultural upbringing. Growing up in a Chinese American family, I first spoke Mandarin at home before attending a French immersion elementary school, where learning in another language and being around children taught me to see the world through multiple lenses and appreciate different ways of expressing emotion. Later, at an all-boys school, I began to think deeply about gender, identity, and how boys are socialized to define strength.
Ashanti Branch
Advisor
Mr. Branch is a recipient of the 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion, 4x Tedx speaker, podcaster, and Fulbright Fellow. His work with youth as an ‘emotional locksmith’ has been featured on CNN’s This Is Life with Lisa Ling and on the Kelly Clarkson Show. He is the founder and executive director of the Ever Forward Club, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating the student dropout rate through youth mentorship. He is as well the creator of the award-winning #MillionMaskMovement, with 75,000 participants worldwide.
Charis Denison
Advisor
Ms. Denison is a youth advocate and teacher / consultant. She has received national recognition for her work. She was profiled in Peggy Orenstein’s book, Girls and Sex, and quoted in her book, Boys and Sex. As the founder of Prajna Consulting, she partners nationally with schools, teens, families, and communities in addressing the subjects of human development, ethics, and social justice. Her work focuses on empowering young people to make choices that end in honor and joy rather than regret, guilt, or shame. She has been on the faculty of the Urban School of San Francisco, Branson, and Marin Academy.
Dr. Brendan K. Hartman
Advisor
Dr. Kwiatkowski-Hartman is a consultant, speaker, educator, and researcher specializing in the social-emotional development and well-being of boys and men. Holding a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Edinburgh and with over a decade experience as an educator, he is an adjunct professor at the University of the Fraser Valley. Primarily, he works as a consultant for schools and organizations, designing and delivering research-based action plans to better support and engage boys and men in the issues they are facing. Through his transformative workshops and talks, Dr. Kwiatkowski-Hartman empowers educators, parents, and students to foster emotional intelligence, resilience, and healthier gender dynamics. A sought-after speaker with a significant social media following, he is known for his engaging, informed, and empathetic approach to tackling complex societal issues. He resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, with his family.
THE STRONGER MINDS PODCAST
Hosted by Caleb Wong, our podcast brings together athletes, mentors, and peers to talk about real stories—about resilience, identity, and what it truly means to be strong.
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GALLERY
Moments of Connection & Growth
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