Long time Berwick resident Gregory Nanfra and David Cossigny are just two everyday blokes who met by chance on a backpacking trip in South America only to find out they lived around the corner from each other back home.
Over the years, both have experienced burnout, breakups, grief, and the loss of close friends or siblings to suicide.
Through it all, journaling became one of the most powerful tools to steady their minds and keep moving forward.
Now, they’ve poured that experience and growth into launching The Blokes Bible, a six-month journal designed specifically for men.
It’s practical, no-nonsense, and built to help blokes take a few minutes each day to reflect, set goals, and build better habits.
Gregory’s work in construction gave the journal a relatable tone, while David’s role as a graphic designer made it visually clean and easy to use.The pair wanted a professional, approachable design that men would actually pick up.
The idea for the journal came from observing the gaps in existing wellbeing tools.
“Most journals and wellbeing tools felt too repetitive, asking the same question day in day out and other journals didn’t prompt you on what to write at all and just left blank space,” Nanfra said.
“There wasn’t something that felt relatable to everyday blokes. simple, practical, no jargon.
“We wanted something that felt like a mate checking in on you, not a textbook telling you what to do.”
Beyond helping individuals, the duo hopes their project encourages a wider cultural shift.
“A lot of blokes grow up being taught to “harden up,” push through, and not show weakness,” Nanfra said.
“In industries like construction, trades, and sport, vulnerability isn’t always encouraged. Men also tend to process things internally, so they might not even realise how much stress or pressure they’re carrying until it builds up.
“Talking about mental health can feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar, so most blokes just avoid it.”
Gregory and David are also donating 10 per cent of proceeds to men’s mental health initiatives.
“We hope it normalises men checking in on themselves and talking about how they’re really going,” they said.
“If a bloke can hand this to his son one day and say, ‘This helped me’, that’s the legacy.
“Less silent suffering, more awareness, stronger blokes, and healthier families made for blokes, by blokes.”
For more information or to get a copy of The Blokes Bible, visit https://www.theblokesbible.com/
