Behind every great man is a great woman!

I’m good but I only wish I were that powerful! A great man is like any great woman, built and grown from role models, influences, experiences, the list is endless!

I am passionate about gender equality and this often leads to me talking about women and levelling the balance and breaking down those gender stereotypes, but an important ingredient to this recipe, which involves almost half of the population is men! 

Sunday 19th November is International Men’s Day (IMD) and this year one of the focus areas of the IMD campaign is around improving health and highlighting positive role models. In light of the recent sexual conduct allegations that are common place across the media and reaching many industries, it’s important to me to recognize the great men and I’m going to start with those closest to me, their health and what I think is important! I’m going to talk about my sons, ‘the boys’, my husband and my dad – an age profile that spans over 50 years from age 12 to 68 (I remember once thinking that was ancient)!

The boys – both sporty rugby players, fit and healthy a good mix of activity and mostly health eating! No serious health worries, other than the odd bruise, nosebleed and muscle strain.

The husband – an army veteran of 24 years. What an awesome role model, but his health and wellbeing has suffered both mentally and physically over the years and from a very active lifestyle (football, rugby, marathons, soldiering) now has reduced mobility and suffers from chronic pain.

The dad – (aka the stubborn one) again over the years was very active (bodybuilder, footballer, jogger) now suffers with COPD.

I feel there is a bit of a trend forming here, our health is a continuum and we never know what is around the corner and as we are becoming an ageing population, education around health and wellbeing is paramount.

So here are my 5 top tips – can you work out which of the men in my life have influenced which of the top tips?

We are all role models, be a positive one!

Every interaction with another human is an opportunity to be a role model, take that role seriously and although you may not always be the best you have been you can still be a role model if you once played sport, use your skills and coach – develop others, if you captain a team, be inclusive and supportive – develop others. Learn from others you see, not just men role modelling for men and women for women, but for us all inclusively role modelling from each other. Use the good, mirror those behaviours and call out the bad, especially those who bully!

No need to man up

Pain, illness, emotion are often seen as a ‘weakness’ and whether or not it’s ‘banter’, the phrase ‘man up’ can create stereotypes that can supress men being able to seek help and support. We start to create stigmas like those we have around mental health if we make it difficult for people to talk about their health. I believe that being able to talk about all sorts of health issues more openly shows great strength. We all have bodies, we all have brains – let’s all talk more and get the help we need.

Sex, drugs and rock and roll

This can sometimes be a difficult conversation to have on so many levels. With your children, you may have already ‘role modelled’ some behaviours that you wouldn’t choose from them to mirror, but you should take every opportunity to educate them. With all of these activities, they can be used for fun and entertainment, but for me it’s the education and understanding the risks and the impacts. Moderation, control and education!

Own it

Respect and listen to your body. Look after your health, at the part of the journey you’re on now. Make the small changes that can make the big differences, that extra bit of exercise, only taking the pizza and leaving the ice cream, getting regular health checks and ensure you get a balance between the fun stuff and the stuff you have to do (school or work).

Be happy

Whatever part of the health journey you’re at, strive to make the best of it. Enjoy those moments with your loved ones, keep relationships with your friends, do activities that make you happy, have a hobby, take some ‘me’ time, take your holidays from work and enjoy the world around you.  

I am staggered at the statistics around men’s health. Let’s make some changes today – after all women are living longer than men and we can’t let that happen! 

Have you guessed who in my family influenced each of the top tips?

What health advice can you give me for the men in my life?

What are you thinking about and celebrating this International Men’s Day?