Make A Difference This Movember
Let’s be more intentional when it comes to men’s health
Too many men across the world are dying too young. Over 20 years ago, the Movember Foundation started as a small idea to enhance the conversation around men’s health, along with growing mustaches as a signature of the movement. In the years since, the organization has gotten bigger and bigger, helping to raise over $1 billion for men’s health initiatives and saving countless lives.
What Movember has done is truly amazing, and that’s exactly the reason we can’t stop here and must keep spreading the message.
The organization focuses on a few key areas of men’s health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Each of these areas are extremely important and need to be taken seriously. On our Tea With Rich podcast, TJ and I discussed the importance of colonoscopies and overall men’s health. I am a big proponent of mental health and increasing Social Emotional Intelligence (SEI).
Suicide prevention has impacted me the most personally: I had a cousin commit suicide; two friends from high school commit suicide post-high school; a friend that I coached soccer with for many years took his own life; and two other people in my social circle here in Chicago killed themselves.That is way too many men that were hurting and felt hopeless, with nowhere to turn. All of these men were fathers, leaving behind sadness, misunderstanding, and wounds. Sometimes it’s the happiest and healthiest-seeming people that experience these issues. People are good at hiding the signs and not letting us in, which is why we need to work harder to recognize when others are in need.
I am passionate about bringing awareness to Movember’s cause and men’s health in general, and I encourage you to join the movement. Together, we can change the face of men’s health.
Statistics to know
These come directly from the Movember website:
53% of all male deaths in the US occur prematurely, before the age of 75 years.
3 out of 4 suicides are men.
1 in 9 Men in the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men.
62% of men delay seeking care for more than six days after experiencing symptoms.
95% of men agree that “taking care of your health is a sign of self-respect.”
Nobody should feel like they have to hide, mask, or fake their feelings. Nobody should be too tough, proud, or naive to think that a health issue won’t happen to them.
Movember released "The Real Face Of Men’s Health: 2025 United States Report," which provides a comprehensive look at the topic, highlights the factors making a difference, and offers a vision for the future. Read the full report here.
Awareness and conversation are key
Bottom line, men need to normalize conversation around our health, both physical and mental. The idea that we’re too tough to open up about this to other men or those in our lives is very “old school.”. I grew up this way with the “John Wayne” view of masculinity. But I have learned the importance of feelings and self-awareness. And the importance of support. I recognize that we men have been stuck in this mentality, passed down from the men before us, as well as what we see in the media, and more. But we have the resources and with a little effort, we can break the cycle for good.
We need to overcome the silence. You never know what kind of difference you can make by just asking a question and having a conversation.
Men's health is a serious issue, but it shouldn’t be intimidating to talk about! This is why I appreciate Movember's approach to the topic so much. They have fun with it, from promoting the growth of a goofy mustache to embracing the many silly puns that accompany testicle talk.
It doesn’t matter how we have these conversations, just that we have them in the first place.
The next step = taking action
Once men’s health topics have been normalized, we are able to dig into the real work, which is taking action to be healthier and happier. This can take many forms, from eating better and exercising more to seeing a doctor for a regular physical or seeking the help of a therapist or mental health professional. (Schedule that colonoscopy!)
Support the men in our lives
Of course, awareness for men’s health issues isn’t just necessary one month of the year. We all need to be cognizant of how to treat these issues year round, and early detection is key before it’s too late. I turned 60 this year, and I went last week for a full body scan, which I did 4 years ago as well. Take it seriously, because it is serious. Early detention is the key. Now that I am 60, I will have some of these scans every 2 years.
Encourage the men you know to get a checkup and regularly check themselves. Help them comfortably share their feelings in a safe space without judgement. Understand the signs so that when someone you know is going through a tough time, you can be there for them. Being there for someone can be lifesaving. And if you are struggling, reach out to someone. Help is available.
Like many things in life, the first few times doing something new is the toughest part. It is just like working out - we need to build the muscles through repetition. After we get past that uncomfortability, it becomes a regular part of one’s routine and maybe even a habit that sticks for good.
It may not sound like it based on the title, but my new book, Life Is Sales, actually has a lot to say about mental health. The Life Is Sales concept embraces the fact that we all are selling all the time in our daily lives; we are selling our ideas, our potential, and even ourselves. We all have the power to impact others in a positive or negative way. Developing a high Social Emotional Intelligence is a skill and a superpower that unlocks our ability to connect with others, pick up on their emotions, put ourselves in their shoes, and ultimately help each other be our best selves.
Here’s to changing the face of men’s health one step at a time.
And although Movember is for men’s health, you ladies out there need to support each other as well. Self-care is just as important for women as for men. No passes…:)
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