Movember Stories
Author: Daniel Louwrens
About a week ago, a girl I had gone on a few dates with posted something rather alarming to her Instagram stories. It had become ‘Embarrassing to have a Boyfriend’ in the year 2025.
In the month of Movember I would have hoped for something a bit more supportive to my fellow brothers, and while I am aware of the many faults in the world that are due to men, this was rather disappointing. I am a romantic, after all.
But that got me thinking about Movember in general and how men are really doing? Is the loneliness epidemic a thing or not? And if so, whose fault is it? Are men okay? Are we okay?
Movember itself finds its origin down under, Australia, in the oh-not-so-distant-past of 2003, between two friends named Travis Garone and Luke Slattery. These mates grew their ‘staches in support of male health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues.
Well, for the past 20 years, Testosterone levels in men have dropped which will have a severe impact on overall health and wellbeing. One in ten men suffer from depression or anxiety, yet only half actually have it treated. And while men are less likely to attempt suicide compared to women, they are far more likely to achieve in that goal. In fact, male suicides account for 75 - 80% of all suicides.
Embarrassing.
This is not a word I would use to describe those who sacrifice on a daily basis to support those around them, to uphold, to protect, and to serve. The word leaves a fowl taste in the mouth when you know for a fact you are doing everything in your might to try and be the person those around you need to be.
Well, allow me to grant you some grace when it comes to these looming questions. Well, there is only one real piece of advice that I’d personally give. That doesn’t mean that other suggestions by other (far more successful men than me) don’t work.
A personal favorite is “Nobody Cares, Work Harder - TBJP”, words to live by.
No, my advice is far more simple and somewhat endearing, if you’d let me.
Learn how to ask for help.
I recently had my first (and hopefully only) divorce. I won’t bore you with the details, but after months of couples and individual therapy, and dozens of puddles of sweat left in the gym I came to a shocking conclusion. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. No, in fact, it makes you powerful. If I had only had the self-compassian and dignity to ask for help, I would have been able to save both of us from a world of hurt.
Asking for help ensures that you work as a team, rather than a singular unit. And this transcends your significant other. Ask your friend for help, share your fears, your dreams, your compassion, and of course, your helpful hand. All of us want to feel helpful, after all? So, why not grant one another that opportunity, while also allowing ourselves not to be alone?
Failed marriage aside, there are, of course, a few other things you should be doing to ensure your overall health and longevity:
Firstly, sleep more. Seriously. A lack of sleep has been linked to all kinds of nasty things such as insulin resistance, fat gain, muscle loss, and even depression.
From there, just start moving. Both cardio and resistance training is instrumental for both physical and mental health, and can decrease certain risks of cancers.
At this point, it is time to start eating like an adult. No, a Monster and beef taco do not make a whole meal. Focus on lean proteins, plenty of colorful vegetables, and try to limit the alcohol. And perhaps increase your fiber. Also, just drink more water.
The last one is easier said than done, but try to stress less. I know this is a big ask, but time and stress management are two of the best things you can do for overall health. Being savvy with your time, your effort, and your self pays dividends for your overall health.
Frankly, the list of tangible things you could be doing to improve your overall health is vast as I’m sure you’re able to tell by the number of podcasts being released daily. That said, they have their merit. You do need to start making changes to see a change.
The final point of consideration is a bit of a throwback to earlier in this article. Remember that testosterone levels are dropping? Well, the link between low T and depression is significant and well studied. Luckily, with a proper lifestyle you could improve your levels quite significantly, but for most of us, TRT or Testosterone Replacement Therapy will be needed.
TRT is a bioidentical hormone replacement by which you work with a medical professional to ensure your testosterone and other endocrine levels are at the levels they need to be in order for you to be in perfect health. Safe, successful, and pretty cost-efficient.
In closing, this is your life, man. You and I both have a responsibility to take care not only of those around us, BUT US TOO. Taking care of ourselves is the first step toward being able to be of service to others.
You, my friend, are not embarrassing.
You, my friend, are a man, act accordingly.
Act kindly.
Act curiously.
Act in a manner that’ll make your own son, daughter, or mother proud.
And fill the unforgiving minute with integrity and passion.
Embarrassing? You? Never.
