Continuing Into 2025! Year 2 x

Physical Strength is pulling, pushing, lifting and enduring.

But Strength is ALSO talking, sharing, listening and caring.

Personally? My dad took his own life in 2000.. it happens and its real.

For many men out there, they have been taught that only the physical are acceptable.

Man Up / Keep Calm and Carry On / Be The Man / Men Don't Cry / Be Strong

This is beyond dangerous and leads to men keeping quiet, suppressing thoughts and taking steps which can and do see many men die of suicide each year. In fact in 2022 in the UK, 4179 men took their own life, that's 75% of the total!

I have been battling my own depression for many years, but only 3 years ago I decided to ask for help.

One of these supports have been the guys at Andy's Man Club.

ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK

**So what am I doing?

= On 30th March, competing in the Man of Steel competition, at Muscle Empire in Sheffield, where they have kindly donated my entry to Andysmanclub.

=On 7th June I am pulling various trucks at Santa Pods 'Truck Takeover'

=On 19th July I will be pulling a 40 tonne truck at Lincolnshire Truck Pulling Championships.

=On 10th August I will be doing my first Steam Train Pull, at the Full Steam Ahead event in Sittingbourne, Kent, UK.

Would I be doing these without raising money for charity? Maybe..

But this is a chance to raise awareness of an incredibly valuable cause.

+I am doing this for those that don't feel they can

+I am doing this for those that its already too late

+I am doing this to show that talking is OK

+I am doing this to tell myself that I am worth putting in the work for.

Thank you to Sasha at Andy's Man Club for working with me to attend all the events I am doing this, and helping open up the powerful conversations needed to change the current state we are in.

I appreciate any share you can make, donation you may feel you want to give or any awareness that this creates.

Matt x