This month, I’m running 120 kilometres and stepping into the boxing ring. Even as I write, it still seems slightly ridiculous.

So, let’s rewind for a second. Why on earth would I willingly punch someone in the face and run every day for a month?

November is Movember. A month dedicated to raising awareness of men’s mental health. Every hour, the world loses 60 fathers, brothers, friends, or sons to suicide. The challenge is to run 60km in remembrance of those 60 lives.

But, being the overachiever I am, I’ve decided to double it.

Here’s why.

Back in 2018, I was head prefect at Rongotai College. Every Friday, I’d stand in front of 500 boys, sometimes giving notices, sometimes trying to motivate them.

Then, one Thursday night, our old landline rang (which, in 2018, already felt weird). I picked up. One of my best mates was on the other end, voice shaky.

“Adam, are you home?”

“Uh… yeah,” I replied.

He must’ve thought he’d hung up, but I could still hear his dad shouting from the background.

“Have you told Adam?”

Then the call went dead. Just that flatline tone. Moments later, headlights cut across my driveway. My mate stepped out, pale as a ghost.

“Matt is gone, Adam.” His voice cracked. “He’s taken his own life.”

At 18, or any age, how do you process that? A childhood friend gone. No goodbye. Just silence.

Everyone deals with loss differently and I think that feeling never truly goes away. It's about doing what's right for you.

The next morning, I stood at the school podium, notes trembling in my hands. I wasn’t sure why I’d even shown up. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Five hundred faces stared back. You could hear a pin drop.

I tore my notes in half and just spoke from the heart. Tears hit the page as I told everyone, “If you’re struggling, talk to someone”.

I spoke for some time, trying to keep it focused on our lives as teenage boys. I could tell that what I was saying resonated with the room. Then, on instinct, I told everyone to turn to the person next to them and say, “I’m here for you”. Without hesitation, the entire hall moved. There was this raw, a serious, powerful, moment of connection. Something I’ll never forget.

That’s my why.

That’s why I’ll push through the pain – to remind people they’re not alone. Whether you’re reading this, or just seeing one of my posts scroll by, I want you to know you’ve got someone in your corner… twofold, in my case.

Because on November 8, I’ll be stepping into the boxing ring for the first time. After 12 gruelling weeks of training, I can say without exaggeration, boxing is one of the toughest mental and physical challenges out there.

My days start at 5:15am. Running hills, sparring, strength work, mindset drills, repeat. Pretty much five days a week. It’s been brutal, but I’ve loved it.

For me, the real win isn’t just the fight, it’s proving that I can do what I say I’ll do and sticking to it. The fight is just the cherry on top.

As for the 120 kilometres, I’m aiming to run 6 kilometres everyday from November 10 alongside anyone willing to join me. Look, I’m no fan of running… at all, and I’m certain you feel the same way. However, physical exercise is my way of maintaining my mental health, and it’ll be another meaningful mental push.

So, this Movember, I’m doing this for the ones we’ve lost, for the ones still fighting, and for the mates who just need to know someone’s got their back.

If you’d like to support or donate to a great cause, follow the link below. Every bit helps and every conversation matters.