Leeds hypnotherapist names four key ways manosphere preys on 'vulnerable' boys
A behavioural expert from Leeds has unpacked four psychological tactics manosphere influencers use to manipulate young men.
After Louis Theroux’s recent Netflix documentary lifted the lid on the murky world "ultra-masculine" online creators, Krystyna Lennon, 52, has analysed the shady tactics deployed by the likes of Ed Matthews.
The hypnotherapist was "fascinated" by the show in which HSTikkyTokky - real name Harrison Sullivan - said he trained his followers “to be f*****g boys, not soy boys or gimps".
And she warned the ways "vulnerable young men" were indoctrinated with misogynistic ideas reminded her of cults.
Krystyna told Talk to the Press: "These are generally vulnerable people that are lost They want to be part of a community. They find community and belonging with these people.
"They’re so deep into this way of thinking that they can’t see anything else and because it becomes part of their identity, it becomes very, very difficult to leave.
"I’ve worked with people who have come out of cults and when they’re in it, you can’t do anything until they decide to get out."
She identified the four key tactics used by manosphere influencers as:
- Identity creation
- Creating an enemy
- Certainty framing
- Confidence
The likes of Sullivan - who has over a million social media followers - create a "halo effect" with their influence, she said.
"When people have a lot of followers and clout everybody believes everything that comes out of their mouths," Krystyna said.
"The halo effect is one of the most manipulative hypnotic effects. If two people are arguing, they’ll side with the one with the most followers."
She said "identity creation" was a huge part of the manosphere's popularity. Adding: "They label themselves high-value men and when somebody adopts an identity, it shifts their behaviour automatically.”
Krystyna continued: "If you say I am losing weight or I am fit, it’s not powerful but if you identify as an athlete it completely changes how you feel.
"They use identity creation for other people in a negative way about feminists.
"If everyone speaks about feminism - which is just equal rights for women - it’s toxic femininity."
Also starring key manosphere influencers like Myron Gaines, Nicolas Kenn De Balinthazy (AKA Sneako), Justin Waller, the Netflix documentary sees Theroux challenge their views.
In the documentary, Sullivan says: “I teach guys to be proper boys and not gimps that walk around in the modern world.”
The documentary comes amid widespread fears over a rise in misogyny among young men - with a 2025 poll finding one in eight Gen Z men had a favourable view of Andrew Tate.
British-American influencer Tate has been dubbed "the king of toxic masculinity" and faces four criminal investigations in the UK, US and Romania.
They include alleged rape, human trafficking and actual bodily harm. He denies all charges.
Sullivan - a promoter of cryptocurrencies - was handed a suspended sentence for dangerous driving and driving without insurance last year.
Krystyna continued by explaining that "creating enemies" and "certainty framing" was also part of the manosphere's lure.
She said: "If you want to pull people into a group, you need to blame everything that goes wrong on someone.
"They have the system or feminism or beta males. They label them as the enemy. There’s no in between. It’s us and them.
"If you are no longer in agreement with what they’re saying, you automatically become part of the enemy and part of the problem. Then there is the certainty framing. The simple framing of 'lift weights, make money'.
She continued: "On its own it’s not very dangerous but it gives a gateway into more serious things. If they start to see muscle forming or feel better in themselves, that simple advice becomes certain.
"It’s like if a clairvoyant tells you something about yourself and it’s true, all of a sudden you believe everything they're saying."
She also said the supreme confidence and controversial views of Sullivan and Matthews' ilk boosted their appeal.
"With the advice they’re giving, they can not be 100 per cent correct", she continued.
"But when people are lost in life and they are uncertain and someone tells them 'here are four steps to get well', they are drawn to simple steps. The reason why they are doing it is to earn money.
"HSTikkyTokky is doing it because he wants people to go to his channels or invest in his crypto business or build a following. Controversy is one of the things humans are most interested in."