BetterMan NZ

What a day! We've done some cool things over the past 18 months since BetterMan NZ started, but this one has to be at the top. Getting to play on the Hagley Oval test wicket under lights against a Movember side captained by Kieran Read and packed with sporting and entertainment stars was unreal. Aa was having Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey as special guest at the interval Q&A, alongside Robert Dunne and Kieran. What made the day more special was the fact that I got to take the field with a bunch of lifelong mates from my Old Boys Collegians Cricket Club playing days. We've now got a load more tales to add to the yarns we'll be telling when we're grey and old. Well, more greyer and older 🤣. Here's how the day played out: https://lnkd.in/gh9msjJC Thanks to all those that came along and helped us make it happen 🙏

I played in a charity cricket game at Hagley Oval yesterday Movember vs BetterMan NZ Two great charities doing great work around the awareness of Men’s health and their mental health. What I took away from the night: 1. For men, a structured activity like cricket, golf or any other physical activity can be a great catalyst for a catch up. This brings the benefits of exercise but most importantly, the social connection and laughter that inevitably comes with the game. And plenty of stories to rehash over the ensuing years. 2. Find the time to check on your mates. If the guy who’s usually dominating on the WhatsApp group has suddenly dropped off the comms for a while, reach out and ask how he’s going. 3. Hagley Oval truely is an absolute dream to play on.

Today’s the day… Fizz levels are high! Forecast for this arvo is looking nice and warm. Come down to Hagley Oval from 430pm (5pm first ball) to see BetterMan NZ vs Movember. FREE ENTRY. Bring a blanket or some seats and pack a picnic. Facebook event here: https://lnkd.in/gGgtuHuS SEE YOU THERE!

Some great press today in... The Press. A huge thanks to Tatiana Gibbs for again shining a light on our charity BetterMan NZ. If you haven't heard, we're taking on Movember on Sunday, 5pm at Hagley Oval in a charity T20 cricket match that Todd, Ged and I can't wait for (free entry). But Tatiana has told it better than I could so be sure to have a read: https://lnkd.in/g4ebjR3c

"This is a library". "This is the f#$%ing news". This Men's Mental Health Month I've been calling out people doing great things in this space. Today I'd like to give props to Paddy Gower. Filmed as part of a skit and uploaded onto YouTube (which you can watch here: https://lnkd.in/gBM8Rqwj), Paddy's five words "This is the f#$%ing news" went viral and changed his life. Although he distanced himself from it in the first instance as he focused on rising the ranks as a political reporter, he's come to embrace it and now uses it as a point of discussion that disarms people and helps him connect. He's also got a book, podcast and now a nationwide live tour called The F#$%ing News. I went to the live show last night and shit it was a good night. Would highly recommend it (get yourself on to www.paddygower.co.nz for dates/tickets). Introduced by his father, Paddy found a brilliant balance of telling some ripping yarns, relaying important messages, and injecting a lot of fun and laughs into the event. What I'm praising him for in terms of men's mental health is his honesty and willingness to be open about his own struggles with anxiety, depression, burnout, addiction and an extremely harsh self critic which he dealt with through alcohol. It's so important that high profile people like Paddy share these struggles to normalise them. To show others that they aren't alone or different. His messages of connection, optimism, purpose and transitioning through change really resonate with what we're trying to do with BetterMan NZ and are some of the key components of the positive psychology and wellbeing diploma which my bro Todd and I are studying at the moment that help people to flourish. Both my mate David and I walked out inspired. It was interesting. It was life-affirming. It was bloody good fun. And what made it even better was having a chat to Paddy afterwards. As I was giving him kudos for the great message he's sharing and telling him about how it had so much alignment with what we're doing with BetterMan he hugged me, told me he'd heard about our work and to keep up the good work. How cool is that? He's even keen to collab on something so we're going to chat in the new year. Watch this space. My favourite message from the night was "Believe in the possible". It's what we've done from the start with BetterMan. I feel good things are coming our way and that we're going to help a lot of Kiwi men. So, Paddy, to you I say keep it up. "Great f#$%ing job".

Have you read Theodore Roosevelt’s speech The man in the arena? It goes like this… “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." This men’s mental health awareness week I’m giving shout outs to people doing great things in this space. Today I want to highlight the important work that Mike King is doing for both our young men and women. Has he said some things that people haven’t agreed with over the years? Sure. But what were people expecting from a highly opinionated former stand up comedian? The reality is that, like him or loathe him, he’s brought attention to a problem that needs the attention. We have one of the worst youth suicide rates in the OECD. Mike King and his amazing wife Joanna King and the team at I Am Hope Foundation NZ have been in the arena now for over a decade. That’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears. On a personal note, when BetterMan NZ was in its infancy, we met with Mike and Jo. They were both super enthusiastic about our vision and what we’re trying to achieve and Mike sent me the longest text message I’ve ever received the next day with helpful suggestions. When you’re starting out on your journey, validation and help like that is absolute gold dust. So, to Mike, thanks for all the mahi you do, and for being the man in the arena, no doubt saving the lives of countless young Kiwis.

I love two dudes. There, I said it. This Men’s Mental Health Awareness month I’m singing the praises of businesses or in this case dudes that are doing great things in this space. What Michael McRae and Tomas Tappin are doing with men’s skincare range Two Dudes is inspirational. Just a couple of uni mates chasing their dream of building a business empire and donating a percentage of their profit back to men’s health. Whether it’s their refreshing honesty, bromance, or just bloody good products they seem to be going from strength to strength. They were recently rated by Sports Illustrated as the #1 men's grooming brand from the Southern Hemisphere which has given them the confidence in the last few months to move into the Australian market. There’s some big players in this space so to see these two dudes shaking things up and having a shit ton of fun along the way is an inspiration to us at BetterMan NZ. Along their journey they’ve supported us, Movember, Fix Up Look Sharp, put up money for male nursing scholarships and other great causes. Can’t wait to see where you guys take this. Keep kicking goals and thanks for helping our men.

Craig Bulloch - I see you brother. You may have noticed that I've been giving shout outs during Men's Mental Health Awareness Month to people who are doing great things in this space. If there's one person that I've met along the way that lives this more than anyone else, it's Craig. While many people are searching for their why, Craig appears to have found his in spades. Everything he does appears to be aligned to helping improve men's mental health in New Zealand. It oozes out of him. That sounds weird, but you know what I mean. He's started his own men's mental health charity called MATES matter NZ , he helps run the Movember Cricket Club, runs mental health first aid courses, and in any contact Todd, Ged and I have had with him for BetterMan NZ he's been eager to help in any way possible. Having dealt with his own depression, he knows the depth of despair and is keen to help others from falling into the pit. As seen in this video from days gone by (https://lnkd.in/gzacMeYr) Craig's mantra is that if he can change just one person's life then he's succeeded. Having seen the power of work he's doing in this space; I'd say he's already positively impacted a lot of lives. In Kiwi parlance "Good shit mate". Keep up the good work.

Cheers to Between Two Beers. This Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week I’m giving shout outs to those that are doing great things in this space. I’d like to give props to Steve and Seamus for what they’ve done with the Between Two Beers Podcast. After initially finding the podcast frustrating because I couldn’t tell who was who 🤣, I’m glad I pushed through as they’re masters of their craft. It’s not one thing that sets them apart for me, but a combination of a number of factors: - The podcast is long form so they give their guests the time and space to unpack their stories - They’re good at listening and don’t force their agendas - Steve and Seamus are long-time friends and their banter and mateship make the guests feel at ease - They pride themselves on putting in the hard yards researching each guest and reaching out to get insights from the guest’s friends and family. And also, and this is why I’m mentioning them this Men’s Mental Health Week, is their vulnerability. Or “honesty” if the v word puts you off. I'm looking at you Di Foster 🤣. By opening up with their own struggles in a public forum it role models it to others. It opens the door to discussions on some of the tougher topics that often go unspoken about. Seamus has openly talked about struggles with depression, weight issues, and work experiences going awry. Steve constantly worries about getting the balance of work right with raising a family of four kids under 7. Plus both of them have to put up with living in Hamilton. Shiiiiit. (Ha ha, only kidding men, I’m originally from Palmerston North, “those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” and all that… 🤣) In all seriousness, Steve and Seamus are a beacon for us at BetterMan NZ, showing us what it's like to be successful working with your best mates and living out a dream. Keep it going men. It’s helping our Kiwi men no end.

Jason Gunn is a legend. Period. For Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month I’m giving shout outs for some of the amazing people and organisations doing great things in this space. Firstly, I’d like to give props to the Māia Health Foundation for all of the work they’re doing to improve mental health for the Canterbury region. This photo was taken at their Amazing Raise on Friday - I was fortunate enough to be a part of it with a team from ANZCO Foods. Was so much fun and they raised close to $100k for a new youth mental health facility. Thanks Michael Flatman, Rachel Scott and Talei Howell-Price. Jason Gunn, alongside his wife Janine Morrell-Gunn and family are ambassadors for Maia, so Jase was given the task of emceeing the event on Friday. Having never met Jason before in the flesh but having grown up with him as an institution on the telly, it was awesome to see him operate and chew the fat with him. Having stepped back from radio, Jase now has a business called Easily Said - Communication Coaching which helps people to communicate better. To tell their stories. To connect. Something that is so important these days. He’s a master of his craft. I was going to go and chat to him before the start of the day, but I could see him practicising his speech with gusto. Given the amount of work he’s done, and his profile, he could have just “phoned it in”, but it was fascinating to see how the prep he put in related to such a seamless delivery making it all feel so natural. He speaks with emotion, letting himself feel what he’s talking about. A rarity in New Zealand, where stoicism is the order of the day. So I was glad to talk to Jase after the day’s activities. It didn’t disappoint. Jase was interesting, but also interested. You feel seen and that he genuinely cares. Jase had heard of the work that Todd, Ged and I are doing for BetterMan NZ and was very complimentary. He’s even going to check his schedule to see if he can umpire in the upcoming BetterMan v Movember cricket match (Sunday Dec 8 at Hagley, 5pm - free entry - save the date 😊). I’ve recently heard Jase speak on a couple of podcasts - Between Two Beers Podcast and the O-Studio one with Tim, Matty & Sophie. A couple of things stood out that are the reason why I’m mentioning him this week - firstly his humility and his understanding of the important things in life, despite the fact that Jase will have met a lot of high profile people in his time, he rarely spoke about any of that, instead saving that reverence for his parents, wife and children. He has his priorities right. Secondly, his promotion of kindness. Jase understands that the small things are the big things. That just being kind, whether that be taking the time to help someone or simply having a yarn at a coffee shop or a petrol station matter in an age where we’re losing connection. His aim is to help make someone’s day. I hope that for Jase, and for all that he’s done, that I can be that person for him today.