The time for change is now. To start the year, our team of journalists and feature writers have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring a bold new vision to life and you’re looking right at it. Man of Many’s new Digital Edition project spotlights the culture-shaping stars helping to redefine the modern age. Each quarter, we feature exclusive interviews and one-off chats with some of the biggest stars on the planet, explored through one overarching lens. In Q1, we are tackling the concept of REINVENTION, charting five unique stories of perseverance, resilience and personal growth. Welcome to a new dawn, a new era of Man of Many.
From the Editor-in-Chief
A few months back, when I sat down to write out my resolutions, it got me thinking about reinvention. To me, it is more than just slapping a shiny new badge on a tired old premise, it’s the act of transformation; be it through necessity or circumstance, that leads to growth. As a digital publisher, I am reminded of this constantly.
The rising threat of AI, the TikTok stranglehold, and Google’s ever-changing algorithm updates are challenges that have seemingly found themselves a cozy little nook in the far recesses of my brain. Yes, the future is growing increasingly uncertain, but there is one thing that we can all be sure of; what you do today will never be enough for tomorrow.
With that in mind, Q1 2024 sees us launch our new Digital Edition project, channelling REINVENTION with inaugural cover star Oscar Piastri. In a no-holds-barred chat ahead of the Bahrain opener, the F1 young gun took us behind the scenes of his eye-opening first year in the driver’s seat. A revealing look at life in the spotlight, my chat with the 2023 F1 Rookie of the Year unpacked a drama-filled rise to stardom, but his evolution story was just one of many.
From personal stories of triumph to the resurrection of past icons, our REINVENTION digital edition is a journey through inspiration, adaptation and with a little luck, evolution. Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be a thrilling ride.
REINVENTION
Henry Rollins once described reinvention as the manner in which ‘one defines oneself’, and it’s hard to argue with the Black Flag frontman’s assessment. When you look at the artists who best embody the notion; David Bowie, Madonna, Prince, you start to realise that reinvention is less about becoming something new as it is about revealing what is true underneath. In this quarter’s Digital Edition, we tackle this idea from all angles, starting with our inaugural digital cover star Oscar Piastri. The Aussie star’s transformation from highly-touted driving prodigy to F1 villain and then back to fan favourite has been nothing short of spectacular. The same can be said of all of our feature stories.
This quarter, journalist Ben McKimm sat down with former NRL star Adam “Mad Dog” MacDougall to discuss how the footy player managed to turn a mundane everyday problem into a $400 million business, while our own Rob Edwards found out how a beloved Aussie punk band is reviving the dwindling live music scene, one festival at a time.
We explored new beginnings in an eye-opening chat with Rado CEO Adrian Bosshard, while Sam Mangioni took us on a journey of self-discovery in his hilarious and enlightening review of early-30s sobriety. Check out all of our REINVENTION features for this quarter and sign up for our newsletter for more.
Oscar Piastri is No Ordinary Rookie
“It all happened pretty quickly. You go from one weekend, in my situation, not racing for a year, and then the next weekend you are on the grid. There was definitely some expectation going in. The results I had in my junior years and also the way I entered Formula One, I was in the spotlight.”
In under a year, 22-year-old phenomenon Oscar Piastri went from highly touted driving prodigy to the villain of his own origin story. Fast-forward to now and Piastri has not only silenced the critics, but converted the masses, and he’s got the silverware to show for it. The most successful debut season since Sir Lewis Hamilton’s maiden run at the top, Piastri’s 2023 campaign earned him two podiums, a legion of fans and a much-deserved Rookie of the Year title. What a difference a year can make.
In this exclusive interview with our Editor-in-Chief Nick Hall ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Piastri reveals the secret to staying grounded, how he got the monkey off his back and the stunning moment Team McLaren found its F1 footing.
Inside The Resurrection of Rado’s Most Ambitious Releases
In his four years at the helm of Swiss watchmaker Rado, Adrian Bosshard has overseen some of the biggest developments in the brand’s more than 100-year history. And he’s only just getting started. Ahead of a blockbuster year that Bosshard describes as ‘ambitious’, Man of Many Editor-in-Chief Nick Hall caught up with the watch industry legend to discuss Rado’s illustrious past, its thriving present and most importantly, its blue ocean future.
How a Footy Legend Built a $400M Empire From His Garage
When Adam MacDougall strapped on his boots for the last time, the Newcastle Knights legend had no idea his best chapter was still to come. With his wife and business partner by his side, ‘Mad Dog’ sold all his assets, ignored naysayers and took the risk of a lifetime. His gamble didn’t just pay off, it shook up the fitness industry. Journalist Ben McKimm sat down with the footy legend to uncover how one chance moment spawned a new lease on life.
It’s True, Quitting Alcohol Ruined My Life
“If someone had offered me a dummy to suck on at night, I would’ve, at the very least, entertained it.”
Navigating the uncharted waters of early 30s sobriety, Man of Many writer Sam Mangioni hilariously reveals how a bucks party boat trip with 35 fully-fuelled Eastern Suburbs lads has shifted from boy’s trip heaven to a nautical nightmare.
Why FANGZ Cut Their Teeth the Hard Way
“We played on a Thursday night. It was lingerie waitresses, us playing, and no one else there.”
The life of a working musician ain’t what it used to be. From online tours to self-funded festivals, feature writer Rob Edwards sheds light on the rough and ready characters championing the great punk rock revival. At its heart, lies FANGZ.
The Man of Many Digital Edition is a quarterly online publication highlighting key stories of success and determination. For more information on how to get involved or to share a story, contact [email protected] and be sure to sign up to our daily newsletter.
Authors – Nick Hall, Ben McKimm, Sam Mangioni, Rob Edwards.
Design & Production – Nick Hall, Richie Hall, John Guanzon, Dianne Caliwan.
Special Thanks – Rebecca Clark WIRED Co, Quad Lock, Farage, Brown-Forman, Heineken.
Sales & Partnerships – Elliott Barsby, Marcus Hurley, Alex Martinez.
