In this episode of The Baldest, Steve sits down with Devin Jenkins, aka Big Jinxx, to talk about Power Slap, mental toughness, athletic performance, baldness, and the experiences that shaped who he is.

Devin talks about his journey through the military, powerlifting, and professional Power Slap, including his knee injury during a fight, what he has learned from losing, and why he continues to pursue the sport. He also breaks down the physical and mental preparation involved in Power Slap and the science behind absorbing impact.

The conversation then moves into Devin's relationship with baldness. He shares how he initially tried to hide his hair loss, how the military helped him embrace being bald, and why he believes confidence comes more from what you're capable of than how you look.

Steve and Devin also talk about adversity, self-belief, motivation, therapy and mental health, and the sense of belonging that comes from the bald community. They revisit the Atlanta Bald Meetup, talk about male friendship and connection, and explore why shared experiences can create such a strong feeling of community.

And, of course, there's plenty of bald humor along the way.

Guest: Devin Jenkins (Big Jinxx)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big_jinxx/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bigjinxx
Facebook: Deven Jenkins

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Deven Jenkins and Power Slap
04:02 The Role of Internal Damage and Body Stiffness
08:16 Origins of Deven's Mental Toughness and Military Background
11:45 Confidence from Capabilities, Not Looks
13:28 The Science of Impact and Head Safety in Power Slap
15:12 Overcoming Obstacles and the Mindset of Growth
17:02 The Cost of Victory and Dedication in Sports
18:16 The Power of Belief and Self-Image
19:54 Next Steps and Future Fights in Power Slap
21:17 Where Power Slap Fights Are Filmed and How to Watch
23:37 Respect and Sportsmanship in Power Slap
24:23 Preparation and Mindset Before Slapping
25:41 Physics of Impact and How Slaps Affect the Head
27:12 Training the Neck, Jaw, and Core for Impact Absorption
28:43 The Science and Engineering Behind Sports Performance
32:26 Deven's Daily Life as a Coach and Athlete
34:41 Deven's Approach to Nutrition and Recovery
37:37 Motivation, Self-Belief, and Overcoming Self-Doubt
40:03 Helping Others Find Motivation and Change
43:00 The Importance of Mental Health and Therapy
45:13 Community and Brotherhood in the Bald Movement
48:02 Shared Experiences and Identity in the Bald Community
50:36 Male Closeness and Overcoming Societal Taboos
52:24 Humor and Camaraderie in the Bald Community
54:40 Atlanta Meetup and Community Vibes
55:54 Hydration, Nutrition, and Training Tips
01:00:13 Embracing Baldness and Self-Confidence
01:02:27 Future Goals and Next Power Slap Fight
01:04:21 Closing Remarks and Community Support

In this episode of The Baldest, Steve talks with Alison Mann, LCSW, an alopecia therapist and coach who has lived with alopecia since childhood.

Alison shares her journey growing up bald, navigating bullying and societal expectations, finding community, embracing her identity, and becoming an advocate for others living with hair loss.

Steve and Alison explore body image, self-acceptance, body autonomy, representation, beauty standards, mental health, and community. They also discuss supporting children with alopecia, personal choices around appearance, and the power of connecting with people who share similar experiences.

This conversation is about much more than hair. It's about learning to live authentically in a world that often tries to tell us what we're supposed to look like.

• Alison's journey with alopecia
• Growing up bald and navigating bullying
• Representation and role models
• The importance of community
• Supporting children with alopecia
• Body autonomy and personal choice
• The emotional and psychological impact of hair loss
• Society's standards of beauty
• Self-acceptance and authenticity
• Advice for people newly diagnosed with alopecia

Instagram: @alison_mann
Instagram: @authentically_you_therapy
Website: https://www.authenticallyoutherapy.com/
Hair Loss Resources: https://www.aidbyali.com/
Substack: https://thebaldtherapist.substack.com/

National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF): https://www.naaf.org/

Instagram & TikTok: @thebaldest_
YouTube: @thebaldestofficial

00:00 Introduction and Alison Mann's background
00:04 Introduction to the conversation on alopecia and self-acceptance
02:00 Alison's childhood with alopecia and early treatments
04:03 The social experience of growing up bald in New Jersey
06:51 Alison’s advocacy and speaking at school assemblies
10:06 Bullying, acceptance, and community support for alopecia kids
15:05 The importance of representation and role models
19:53 Alison’s involvement in alopecia community events
25:01 The impact of community on self-esteem and confidence
30:02 Supporting children with alopecia and body autonomy
35:06 Advice for parents and caregivers of alopecia children
39:58 The future of alopecia support and community building
47:17 The importance of respecting body autonomy in beauty choices
48:02 Navigating societal beauty standards and personal identity
49:01 The role of community support for people with alopecia
50:21 Personal stories of hair loss and self-acceptance
51:29 Understanding the emotional impact of alopecia
52:54 The societal obsession with appearance and beauty standards
54:48 The inner critic and self-compassion in self-image
57:44 The significance of authentic community and shared experiences
01:03:02 The power of community support and shared experiences
01:08:11 Therapeutic insights on emotional resilience and growth
01:12:25 Advice for those newly diagnosed with alopecia
01:16:32 Resources and community support for alopecia and hair loss

In this special short conversation from Bald Fest 2 in Philadelphia, I talk with Abstract Louv, the creator of Bald Fest, about how accepting his own baldness led him to discover the bald community — and ultimately inspired him to create a festival celebrating bald people, music, art, and community.

Abstract shares what it was like to go from not wanting to accept his hair loss to finding confidence through shaving his head and connecting with other people in the bald community.

It's a short conversation, but it gets right to the heart of what The Baldest is about: acceptance, confidence, and the power of community.

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Abstract Louv on YouTube.

Connect with Abstract Louv:
Instagram: @abstractlouv

Follow The Baldest:
Instagram & TikTok: @thebaldest_
YouTube: @thebaldestofficial

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