TNH Amazing Men Series Featuring André Paradis

Even though “The New Hollywood” as an organization is a group of women, we are dedicated to creating a community of like-minded, conscious, supportive people.  Thus, TNH has started featuring incredible men who are up to big things in our Amazing Man Series!  We are highlighting men who live with purpose, focus on giving back, and who are all around, well, AMAZING men.


This month we are featuring a man’s man, André Paris.  André has been a teacher and educator his whole life.  He taught around the world from Japan to Bangkok and back. Purely by chance in 2006 he started studying Male/Female dynamics when his friend Pina, a gender dynamics workshop leader (and TNH member), invited him to go along with her to one of her favorite seminars. That day, his discoveries were so profound, he soon immersed himself in research and the teacher in him “exploded”—teaching anybody in earshot about his amazing discoveries.  His company, Project Equinox was born out of the need to pass this knowledge on to the world.

This is for men, for women, for their relationships, dynamics, and their understanding of each other.  

1. Please tell us who you are and what you do? 

My name is André Paradis. I am a Relationship, NLP Coach and Educator of Effective Communication Systems.

2. What other amazing men would you nominate? Why?

I would have to nominate three men no longer with us, but most definitely Sigmund Freud, Eric Berne, John F. Kennedy.

Freud and Berne because of their brains--these amazing brains!!! They had a constant drive and were always challenging and needing to understand humans—what makes them tic, what makes them crazy, what makes them act, react and behave or respond to this or that...it's all fascinating to me. I have an insatiable curiosity for the human condition and these two are Kings in this field.

I would also nominate Kennedy, because he took a stand for what he believed in, often going against popular public and political opinion. He wanted to make things right and had the courage to do it... at the cost of his life. That's a man.

3. Who was/is the most profound male influence in your life and why?

The most profound influence is my father; he was the catalyst for me in my life's choices, good and bad and was often the mirror I would turn away from.

He was a difficult man in almost every way. He was alive when he was fighting—narcissistic, but also the most driven man I have ever known. I inherited his drive, sense of humor, and his charismatic leadership that had everyone jumping on board with enthusiasm even when the challenge was huge. His "I can do anything" I also have.  He taught me what not to do as well: he was unavailable and distant; I am present and connected. He was overbearing and often rude; I am aware and easy going. He was erratic and unpredictable; I am level headed and predictable. He has helped shape the man I am today, and I am proud of the man I am today.

4. Who is the most influential woman in your life and why?

My mother....( oye...where is Freud? Geez!) She too was a huge catalyst in my life's choices. A devout Catholic, she tried to make a priest out of me...oh no !

This was a terrible mistake for her to make. This was never going to happen! The cure...easy. Go as far in the opposite direction as possible. I grew my hair, I dressed like a rock star, wore hearings and chains, lived on the road, made a living as an exotic dancer for a while and slept around as much as I could. Sex, drugs and Rock and Roll... Amen! As time went on, this rebelliousness subsided since it wasn't really who I was. Soon, I was able to become the man I was inside. I met my wife, had two amazing kids, and settled in a life of traditional style and values.  I'm a good man and I live and handle my life that way. The gift my mother gave me is to see my job with my kids as such: I am here to help my children live their life's purpose and become the person{s} that they were born to be in this world. Thank you Mom, my kids, your grandchildren, will be amazing and will live their lives with purpose with my help and support.

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5. What is your personal motto/mantra?

If something scares you....go and do it! I never learn anything when I'm comfortable, I only grow when I have the courage to step outside the box.

6. What advice would you give young men and women?

I want young women to embrace their femininity much more. This is what men love and cherish in women--not their power or strength, not their credentials,

but their femininity. Your femininity is the thing that allows us to show up as your Heroes. It drops us out of our heads and into our hearts. It makes us feel our feelings and brings us to our knees with gratitude and compassion, for just a whiff of femininity uplifts our spirit, changes our mood and radiates warmth and sunshine on our dreary problem- solving minds. It is more powerful than an atom bomb.

I also want young men to step into their masculinity and stand up for themselves in a world where being masculine is has gone out of style. Only when men stand powerfully for honor, integrity, accountability and character can they inspire women to slip back into their femininity and natural magnetic loving spirit. It's good for men and it's good for women....it makes us all better humans. Men have this power and this is a power that is appropriate to use—protect, provide and cherish women, children, animals, the planet etc. That is appropriately masculine.

7. What causes are you passionate about and why?

I am passionate about the human condition altogether. I find people fascinating and I delight in what makes them/us tick—the more unusual the person, the more actualized and individualized—the more curious I am. The question for me usually goes something like,"Tell me, how did you get to be like you?"   I am passionate about empowering men and women through coaching, teaching partnership and communication tools—it is my life's purpose.

8. How do you contribute to your community and why?

I hold free workshops where we research and discuss human dynamics and how things occur differently for men and women. I am also a facilitator for The Mankind Project, a non-profit worldwide men mentoring program where we support men in their lives journey to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. 

I also am orchestrating a comeback of "Boys to Men", a sister company of The ManKind Project that initiates teens and young men into "manhood".

9. What is your definition of being man versus being a boy?  

A man has a hold of his life.  A good man naturally wants to provide and protect, women, children, animals and the planet for he sees this as his job and is compelled to do it authentically and with pride. Men conquer, fight and control their lives but do it with fairness, empathy and awareness of others. They are bound by integrity, honor and accountability. Women feel safe in the presence of good men.

Boys (men who refuse to grow up) are usually selfish, they do not want to provide or protect anyone. They are needy and are usually unstable both emotionally and financially. Boys pride themselves in who they can manipulate, usually women, and too often will leave a trail of pain and hurt feelings in their wake. They are narcissistic at their core. Boys do not operate with integrity, honor or accountability and are more interested in being comfortable. They are usually passive aggressive and don't make women feel safe.

10. Any additional ideas, stories, or points of view that you feel will enhance readers on understanding who you are and what your purpose is please elaborate?

My mission in life is to bring understanding to the experience of being human and alive and the challenges that life brings. I believe life is an incredible journey where we all come together (or sometimes bang into each other),  in learning the things we came here to learn. Sometimes it's too much, sometimes it's fun, sometimes it's horrible but experience has showed me that I will always work it out; better yet, I get stronger, more aware and have more compassion for people around me. I'm tougher yet I have more empathy. It's a beautiful thing, and I see life that way. When things go awry I always think, " hum..I wonder what I am learning here" Bring it!

Thanks for reading! 

You can find André at www.projectequinox.net.
On Facebook, here.
On YouTube, here.
Twitter: Project_Equinox

*Please note that not all experiences, beliefs, and ideas are shared by each member of “The New Hollywood.” We are a group of shepherds, not sheep.