Max Leslie-Smith

Max Leslie-Smith Helping digital nomads who have achieved freedom find direction.
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Here's what happens when you create a community based on your interests...1. You meet people with similar interests2. Yo...
24/11/2025

Here's what happens when you create a community based on your interests...

1. You meet people with similar interests
2. You contribute to society, which feels good in itself
3. You build genuine, meaningful friendships as a result
4. Where people come to you - you aren't 'forcing' anything (much more comfortable if you're introverted like me)
5. People connect with you immediately as you've created a space which brings people together
6. You build confidence and develop new skills in the process

When I created a men's group 3 years ago, I was isolated and lonely

Now I have brothers I can turn to whenever I need

All because I took a gamble on creating a community

When I left uni I was lost and isolatedI'd broken up with my girlfriend and messaged the group chatNothingTotal silenceT...
13/10/2025

When I left uni I was lost and isolated

I'd broken up with my girlfriend and messaged the group chat

Nothing

Total silence

These were my drinking buddies, but when the s**t hit the fan, they were nowhere to be seen

I'd moved back home and realised I needed to find some real friends

But where? How?

I had no clue, but tried what already existed

Joining groups, fitness clubs, organised sport, volunteering

With no luck

I couldn't find my tribe no matter what I tried

Then the next challenge came my way

Tore my ACL playing football

Now no sport to help me deal with my feelings

So I decided to do something a bit crazy

I was big into self-improvement

So looked into creating an online group

Hosting weekly meetings

I was so scared butttt....

Slowly it began picking up

I hosted in-person events

Built friendships and meaningful connections

All based around my interests

People valued and respected me as I was the one who had taken the initiative

The group I created (embrace your masculinity - check it out on Meetup.com to check this is legit) has 332 members as of writing this

I've found people who I trust and can talk to reguarly

Genuinely life changing

AND I feel meaning from every event I put on

I'm also not a social butterfly

Just a guy who couldn't find his tribe and found an alternative way to do that

(Below is our borough market London xmas meetup with 15+ guys who attended on the day)

POV: When bro travels thousands of miles to go hiking in the jungles of Vietnam with you5 years ago, I never dreamed tha...
13/10/2025

POV: When bro travels thousands of miles to go hiking in the jungles of Vietnam with you

5 years ago, I never dreamed that I would find friends like this

It all started when I created a meetup group that meant I:

- Found friends who had the same interests as me
- Had a leadership role so could pick activities that I enjoy
- Hung out 1-to-1 with the guys i vibed with in the group

It was that simple

The group I lead has 332 members now

Being honest, that's a vanity metric as not everyone attends regularly

But it doesn't matter

Because even if I just get on with 10% of the 332, that's 33 people who likely share a similar outlook and values to me - who I can now reach out to to hang out with

I had ups and downs creating the group but it's achievable for anyone

I'm an introvert too and honestly I don't speak that much at the events I run

I share exactly how you can do the same in my bio

13/10/2025

If you're feeling isolated and alone right now, I get it

It's horrible when you feel that way

Social media paints a pretty picture

Everyone living their dream lives with loads of friends

But I believe at least 80% of us want more community

Deeper friendships

People who are on our side

The communities of 50 years ago have been wiped out, only to be replaced by technology

But this won't ever fill us up

We need people who love and care for us

Outside of our families

I used to feel completely lost and alone

I'd stopped drinking and my friendships felt hollow

After months of loneliness, pushing myself out there and failing to make friends, I created an online group based on my interests

Once I'd build it up, I began organising in person events

I knew that 90% of people who attended
1. Had a similar outlook
2. Had similar interests
3. Respected me as I'd taken the initiative to create the group

It was only a matter of time before I started to build the friendship and brotherhood I was lacking previously

In 2025, we need more communities

Find how you can start an in person community based on your interests in my bio!

Address

20 Wenlock Road
London
N17GU

Website

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