A chance meeting in the gym led to Jerrod Johnson exercising more than his body.
The Richmond native wrote “A Man’s Perspective Vol. 1: Feminine Frequency,” a book and musical project transcribing his journey in therapy and reflections on love, trauma and the human experience.
After a final breakup with his child’s mother, Johnson took a step back to reflect and moved from Richmond to Indianapolis. A random conversation at the gym led him to monthly group therapy sessions. Here, Johnson reflected on the root cause of his failed relationships with women.
“It came from, I would say, my mother. Just not really being presented [with] the way a woman is supposed to nurture their kids,” said Johnson. Johnson was taken in by his grandmother as a teen where he saw other possibilities.
“I got to see more joy and accountability.” He said his grandmother kept a spirit to take care of oneself and those around you.
Johnson also grew up without his father, but several male mentors inspired him to continue his grandmother’s care work. He worked as a youth counselor and on direct care staff at Wernle, the YMCA and Reid Care Pavilion. Today, he splits his time in Indianapolis as a self-employed gun-prevention case worker for troubled teens, and coaches youth sports in Fountain City. The book is an extension of that mentorship.
Johnson said the idea for the book came instantly, but it took three years to complete the transcript. Formatting and editing was about a month or longer with an official editor. He finished it on May 9, Mother’s Day weekend.
The music component was an idea from his friend Leo Johnson. Growing up, he beatboxed for friends and practiced making productions in ProTools and FruityLoops, two software applications for crafting original music. Johnson says his mother gave him his love for music.
Johnson recommends the album first as an appetizer, while the book is a full meal. His favorite portions are the first and third chapters. One highlights the birth of his daughter, which made him level up and reject the misogyny and negative mindset he had about women. The other focuses on his mother.
“I tell how I still love my mom and how we’re growing together even to this day. And it’s not to shame my mom, but it’s to just help the universe.”
Johnson plans to promote Vol. 1 this year, with a second volume, “Masculine Code,” to release in 2027.
For more on “A Man’s Perspective, Vol. 1,” and Johnson’s other initiatives, visit soulspiritedscripts.com.
A version of this article appeared in the July 8 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
