Need a new group of men?

The older we get, the faster time seems to pass.

That's rather unsettling news, particularly if ill health is looking to rob you of any of it. If you're sitting back waiting for the magic pill, then current trends suggests things may not play out well for you.

If, on the other hand, you're in the 40 - 60's bracket and you're re-prioritising your wellbeing, then you're well positioned. Taking action in this age bracket is critical. Get on the front foot now and hopefully the below quote will make you smile, not shudder:

There are three types of people in the world:

1. Those who watch things happen

2. Those who make things happen

3. Those who wonder what the hell happened.

When it comes to health and wellbeing, Wellteam provides challenge programs for those who are prepared to make things happen.

As more men take on our challenge programs, we're seeing something interesting...

...men join for the challenge, they stay for the community. The camaraderie built by going through a series of wellbeing experiments is strong...and healthy.

In the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddy Mercury (Rami Malek) said that Queen didn't play to the mainstream audience, they played "to those in the back of the room". That line really resonated with me because I think...

...Wellteam plays to the men in the back of the room.

We're attracting diverse and interesting men, thinkers, learners, hard workers, those willing to challenge themselves, try something new, push the status quo, they're humble, they get outside their comfort zones, they push back against the pull of toxic masculinity and live their best lives wherever they are, with whatever they've got. They're good men.

That's what we're growing...a movement of good men, open to improving our lives by challenging our own behaviours and habits.

It's still early days for Wellteam, and while we've been quietly active since October 2020 we haven't technically launched yet.

Why size really matters

While growth is strong and critical to enable Wellteam to expand services to members, it's more important for other reason entirely:

• 46% of men will develop at least one chronic disease in their life (many of which are preventable).
• 72% of men won't seek help for mental health issues when they need it
• 50% of men reporting feeling lonely 'sometimes' or 'always'
• 32% of men report having no close friends

This is why Wellteam exists and I suspect why we're growing so fast.

These stats are often invisible to all but the person experiencing them. We may not tell our closest friends or family, and... none of us are immune.

Maybe we actually don't have to tell others, maybe we can just keep it to ourselves without attending a 'kumbaya singing, story sharing, drum beating, man-love boot camp'. I'm sure they're great and hugely valuable for some men, just not for everyone.

While we don't have to share our story or our pain, we should take action. For the simple reason that taking positive action feels good. The more scary it feels to sign up for that class, join the club, enter that event, start that challenge program, the better.

That action, overcoming that anxiety, fear, worry, that's what counts. That's the hardest part...just show up. The rest will look after itself.

While the health care system is busy patching up the unwell, Wellteam is focused on optimising lives, health and wellbeing.

When we (and others) succeed, fewer people will need patching up early in their lives, we will free up the healthcare system by living lives in a "well-care" system. We will live healthier, happier, more fulfilling lives for longer.

To achieve this, we all have a role to play in driving wellbeing, some will play a passive role, some active. Many Wellteam members are actively flexing their networks to bring new members into the team. Thank you.

Photo: Justin Stewart Rattray (member since 2020)

At present we're growing based on 100% referrals from members...no paid advertising, and that's important. Men 40 - 60+ have great bullshit filters. We've seen and heard all the ads before. We're immune to the crap.

But we'll listen intently to others we trust and respect.

This is the way we change what is a very real gender gap in wellbeing outcomes across the world. Men die earlier than women, generally in poorer health because they traditionally focus on financial security (the provider role) and put their health and wellbeing last.

While those traditional roles are changing for younger people, there's plenty of men still trapped in between the conservative, post-war paradigm of our parents and the radical new world of our kids.

Regardless of age, in the world right now, we need more focus on wellbeing, not money, not status objects. For men in particular, that's a big shift. A very necessary, big shift.

Never underestimate the impact you have on the lives of others.

Wellteam members are leaders, whether they chose that or not. Taking on a challenge for a healthier life is having a broader impact than they might imagine. Every healthy photo they're in, every conversation about every wellbeing experiment, every comment, every like, every share, every email, is sending a message to other men that prioritising health and wellbeing is the right thing to do...right now.

On top of that, Wellteam'ers are setting a new standard for those around them. Seeing positive male role models focusing actively on their wellbeing is something that can have a profound effect on them for the rest of their lives.

Health aficionados' tell us that the best age to implement wellbeing programs is in our kids. The reality is that most boys see their fathers as their primary role models. If dad's sitting on the couch, downing a dozen stubbies after work with a bag of Mc Chucks on his lap then his son's moving that way, like it or not. The buck stops with Dad to role model healthier options.

On top of that, partners, parents, colleagues, mates and dates might also need some inspiration to boost their own wellbeing.

Every life matters, and Wellteam members are making a positive impact. So this is a very personal and warm thank you to all our members and future members. Thank you.

We're building...this is just the beginning.