It’s that time of the year again!
The beautiful hairy upper lip makes its return, and the running trainers are well and truly laced up for a special cause that is very close to my heart.
I will be rocking the Mo, which to me is a symbol of support for us blokes that are going through it, and a reminder that it is ok to not be ok.
This year I will be running a 50KM ultramarathon everyday, for 5 days in a row.
5 Days. 5 Ultras. One Mission.
This is to raise awareness for men's mental health and the male suicide rate.
This is more than just a distance to run. This represents the Distance Between Us as men when we're asked how we're doing. The distance between saying we're ok, and allowing ourself to be vulnerable and speaking up.
We lose a man to suicide every minute of everyday across the world.
I will be running in honour of every single one of them.
As many of you will know, this is a cause very close to my own heart.
Over the past few years, I've had to face some of the hardest challenges of my life, battling extreme lows, severe depression and crippling anxiety.
This was truly terrifying, I felt hopeless and like I was a burden to myself and those around me. At points I wanted to end it all. I didn't want to live that life anymore, because I couldn't see a way out of the darkness.
But eventually, I allowed myself to be open, honest, and vulnerable, and accepted that I was struggling. I talked to my family and my friends about what I was thinking and how I was feeling, and reached out for help from my GP and a therapist.
It was incredibly difficult to face, but those conversations saved my life. They are what stopped me from becoming one of those statistics.
This is why I am so passionate about sharing my story and participating in Movember. If speaking openly can help even one man who’s struggling, then that means everything to me.
Every donation made will help raise essential funds to support other men facing similar battles. The money we raise could save the life of a man you love.
This month is dedicated to raising awareness for suicide prevention, breaking the stigma around men’s mental health, and striving to change the statistics for men around the world that I came so close to becoming part of.
It genuinely chokes me up when I reflect on how far I have come. The person I was would be so proud of the person I am today.
So please, use this as a reminder if you are feeling that way.
Know that you are not alone, no matter how much it might feel like you are.
It’s ok to feel sad, anxious, confused, vulnerable, scared or hopeless.
But please do not bottle those feelings up, and do not be ashamed of how you feel.
Speak up, don’t man up.
Talk.
People will listen. People will care. And people will be able to help.
Nothing is ever permanent. Things do get better.
You will get better.
If I can, you can too.
Last year, you guys helped me raise almost £8,000, and it would be incredible if this year we could top that and hit the £10,000 goal!
Any donation, no matter the size, can help save the life of a man you love.
Thank you for reading.
Big love always,
Chenz
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