Why Movember
For some, Movember is just an excuse to grow out a moustache for a month, but when you really dig in deeper Movember is so much more.
Movember is an organization that want to help Men live longer. This organization is centered around helping with 3 different issues that are killing men at young ages; Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Prostate Cancer, and Testicular Cancer. You can read an older blog I wrote about why I participate in Movember here
Funds donated to this charity go to multiple different programs and outlets helping in each of these fields. If you wish to learn more follow this link: https://ca.movember.com/about/foundation
Since 2011, I’ve participated in Movember yearly – helping raise over $5200 in that time frame personally.
But why do I decide to continue doing Movember on a yearly basis (besides a reason to grow a moustache?)
Because men’s mental health is a massive cause I want, and need to support. Currently two stats stand out to me:
– Every 3 out 4 suicides in Canada are men.
– On average (globally), a man dies of suicide every minute, of every day.
That’s a scary thought.
How Do We Help?
(besides rocking a great moustache?)
For the entire month of November, I’ll be running “Move for Movember”
For every $50 raised this year, I’ll be adding a kilometre to a run at the end of the month.
For example – $200 donation = 4km run.
My goal this year is to raise $1000 for the Movember Foundation, which would equate to a 20km run…
Which I’ll admit, really sucks – but it doesn’t suck as bad as losing a loved one to suicide or cancer.
This is a chance for clients, friends, family, or observers to donate to a great cause, while also getting a slight measure of revenge on your trainer.
Ever wonder what it was like to be on the other side of the coin when it comes to personal training? Well now’s your chance!
Please visit https://movember.com/m/rshill to donate or join the RK Athletics team!
Time to get personal…
Back in 2014 I earned a shot at my dream job – I would be running and operating my own, brand new gym while getting to move to a city I always wanted to live in. I felt like I had “made it”.
What I didn’t realize however was just how hard it would all be, both professionally and personally.
Professionally, I went from a 24 year old personal trainer (who helped manage a few trainers at the studio) to a General Manager in charge of the entire gym facility. To say the learning curve was steep is a drastic understatement. The pressure of the launch of the gym, and subsequent months were a very difficult time for all of us, but I took that weight on my shoulders and took the disappointing start to heart.
Personally, the move was very difficult. I left all my friends behind for this opportunity, and while it was only a short 2 hour drive away back to Red Deer – I could feel the distance in many friendships drift. I found it difficult to build the same relationships in this new role, as I was more of the boss in this circumstance, and I felt like there was a line to maintain. While I was dating someone at the time, they became my only source of a social life outside of a work environment – which wasn’t fair to them.
As the months piled on, and there was more and more stress from not hitting the numbers we had expected, and my mental health declined in a big way.
Feeling isolated and overwhelmed is a difficult combination, but it was made worse by trying to keep it in and pretend everything was okay. During that time, I didn’t have the maturity to know I needed more help, and my ego wasn’t willing to admit that I might have taken on more than I could handle.
My mentality was to keep it to myself – I’m a man… I can deal with it.
I resorted to toxic behaviours to help get through this time. I would drink, I would workout for 2-3 hours per day as a form of escapism, and I ruined my relationship because of my own insecurity and feeling of inadequacy.
There were times I really thought to myself, who would really miss me if I was gone?
On the outside, I was at one of the highest points of my life, but on the inside, I was at my lowest.
Fortunately, there was light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I could say I went and got real help (because I should have) but I found ways to find myself again.
I spent time with my family, who’ve never wavered in their support or love for me. I started reading more on self help, and started to journal, which was one of the best things I’ve done for my mental health. I also started doing things for myself as well, like joining a rec basketball league and socializing in different ways.
It wasn’t an overnight fix, but the more time passed on, the more I felt better.
I’m very fortunate to be here today, and can truly say how happy I am with my life.
Yes, I still have down points and struggles, but I’ve developed ways to work through these issues when they arise, and know I have a support system in my life to help.
Unfortunately, not everyone does – and this is why I’m passionate about Men’s Mental Health, and helping others have the resources and support needed to get through these difficult times, so they too can come out on the other side and get to live life to the fullest.
If you’d like to read more on why I feel Movember is so important – CHECK OUT THIS ARTICLE
Rich, Owner & Personal Trainer – RK Athletics
Canada’s Top Fitness Trainer 2024
Going to make you sweat Rich!