Torquay father and husband Ryan Mannix is an ambassador during this month’s Movember charity. Jena Carr spoke with him about the importance of men’s physical and mental health.
For Ryan Mannix, November is more than just an average month; it’s a time to reach out to your fellow man and grow conversations.
The Torquay man was training as a runner and participating in duathlons when his world was turned upside down following an accident in 2011.
“I was training for the world championships as a duathlete when I was hit by a motorbike and broke my hip in a few places,” he said.
“That sidelined me, which was upsetting as I was in really good form and I was hoping to do really well, so the rug was pulled out from under my feet.
“I had this whole identity as an athlete, and that was stripped away when the doctor said I couldn’t run, so…that was a dark period in my life and was probably the hardest time in my life.”
Ryan has always used running as an outlet for his physical and mental health, and despite the accident disrupting his career as a professional runner representing Australia, he still takes the time to run.
“My dad would always go out for a run with his mates, and I found it was a really good social outlet in a way that was quite healthy,” he said.
“I felt that was a really healthy way to connect with my friends and have conversations, so I still look forward to those moments on the weekends when I run with my friends.
“I always feel really refreshed when I’m running and I’m able to talk about hard moments that I’m experiencing that week, and it’s really an outlet for my own mental health as well.”
Ryan knows the impact that poor mental health can have on men and their loved ones after losing a couple of friends to suicide, including a best friend at just 30 years old.
“Men tend to have this persona as being stoic and macho, and that’s how it was when I grew up,” he said.
“Three in four suicides in Australia are men and a lot of men don’t tend to talk about their emotions and hold stuff in.
“These young guys (his friends) had so much life to give and so much ahead of them, but they couldn’t see through the fog of their experience.
“It was quite a sudden turn of events, whether it was something like a relationship breakup or loss of job…and they isolated themselves in a short amount of time and then took their lives.”
Men are being encouraged to grow a moustache this month for Movember to help raise funds to help improve literacy, healthcare, prostate cancer outcomes and support for men’s health.
People can also run or walk 60 kilometres in honour of the 60 men lost to suicide around the world every hour.
“The moustache is our rallying cry; it gets people talking, laughing, and acting, so every mo grown and every conversation sparked can save a life,” Movember co-founder Travis Garone said.
“Men’s health still isn’t enough of a priority and our healthcare systems often don’t meet men where they are, especially in rural and remote areas, and too many fall through the cracks.”
As a proud husband and father of a two-and-a-half-year-old, Ryan said he felt “very lucky to be a Movember ambassador” this year as he had been inspired by the charity for a while.
“Movember creates lots of conversation around mental health, men’s health, and programs that foster community and engagement, which is really helpful,” he said.
“Men are now talking about their experiences, emotions and hard times, not only their good times, and I think that’s a really positive change.
“When you’re not alone, the weight comes off your shoulders a little bit, so…don’t be shy to say hello and start a conversation with a male this year.
“Men’s health affects everyone, and it’s not just about men, so if you’ve got a male in your life, it’s always a great opportunity to reach out and start that conversation.
“Some of the most stoic males have also been the ones to stand up and share how they’re feeling in the moment, or have been the ones that say hello first or are often the ones that ask their friends first.
“It’s only once a year that I have a moustache, so it’s a conversation starter, and the idea of making conversations accessible for people and creating change in the world of men’s health is important.”
Ryan turned to yoga and meditation following his accident to help heal his body and mind, which is something he aims to bring with him into his ambassador role.
“When I started yoga a decade or so ago, there weren’t many men at all doing yoga, but now I’m seeing more men come in,” he said.
“They not only benefit from the experience of stretching and feeling mobile, but also receive some peace of mind, which is the biggest bang for your buck with yoga and meditation.
“I took up meditation and yoga to rehab my body and make my mind a bit stiller and quieter, so I felt that it was helpful, and it’s good to see a lot more men doing yoga these days.”
Reach out to people around you and know that you are not alone, are some key pieces of advice Ryan has for people who may be struggling with their mental or physical health.
“If you feel overwhelmed or isolated, there are lots of people out there that would love to wrap their arms around you,” he said.
“To be able to talk about it can be a really good release and outlet where you can connect with other people who are experiencing the same stuff.
“There are so many people out there, whether they’re people that know you or not, that want to help, and I think we can lose track of that to the point where we think we’re doing it all on our own.
“It can feel quite crowded and isolated, but there are so many people out there who want to help…and if you’re going through something, it’s good to know that people want to be there to support you.”
Visit movember.com for more information or to participate in Movember, and, if this article has raised any concerns, help is available by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78.
