Movember: South London friends to endure brutal workout

Gerard Ellis, 24, has taken part in challenges the past two Novembers as a ploy to fundraise and raise awareness about men’s physical and mental health.

His dad has suffered with prostate cancer, and Gerard is passionate about ensuring young men know they can speak out, and that they should reach out to one another.

Gerard’s first challenge was on his own, last year he recruited one friend, and this year he has recruited around 12 other people to join him in a 13-hour workout.

Gerard and Sean took on a brutal Movember challenge last year

The challenge - named three, two, one, bro - consists of 13, 13-minute stations for the group to endure on November 14 for 13 hours straight from 7.30am and 8.30pm.

Gerard, who lives in Brixton, is aiming for the group to raise around £5,000 for Movember as a result.

He told the Richmond and Twickenham Times: “My dad had prostate cancer and it’s treated fairly simply – but it’s such a big thing with testicular and prostate cancer to catch them early as they are highly curable so I want to raise awareness that men should check themselves regularly.

“There are also so many trials and tribulations that young men go through – we have ups and we have downs, but people need to know they can talk to people and it’s important to share that.

“I want to help normalising talking to people and checking in on each other – which people have been getting better at over the past few years.”

The 13 workout stations include anything from cycling for a full 13 minutes, to completing a certain amount of squats within 13 minutes - and the challenge also incorporates a full 13-minute group run every 13th round.

Gerard, who works as a People Culture Associate, chose the prominent number 13 to resemble the Movember statistic that 13 men in the UK die by suicide each day.

All the numbers he has used have an important statistic behind them – with one station involving completing one deadlift every 20 seconds for 13 minutes, for the one in 20 men who don’t survive testicular cancer.

Another consists of 45 burpees in 13 minutes - as Movember reports that every 45 minutes one man is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Gerard, originally from Leeds, said: “I’ve been using my three, two, one, bro Instagram account to spread content varying from how people can donate to information around Movember itself.

“Every Tuesday we do a ‘check in Tuesday’ – which encourages people to check in with one of their friends’ mental health or check an aspect of their physical health.

“I try to make it as interactive as possible because I want to raise as much money and gain as much support as we can but I also want to spread information and awareness.

“Of course we’ll all be growing our Movember moustaches as well.”

The group will endure the challenge at Richmond Olympus Gym where Tribe Performance is based.

Gerard said an individual private gym felt nicer - and it shows support and the community feel that sits behind Movember.

The group are encouraging people to visit and keep them company as they train, and hope to live stream some of the workout onto their social media accounts.

Gerard explained: “If people want to join us to take parts in bits of the workout they can, or they can just come to keep us company and chat rubbish for a bit.

“Every 2.5 hours you get a 13 minute rest and that’s an opportunity to take on as much food as possible, or to do some filming.

“It’s going to be pretty brutal – and a mental and physical challenge.

“We’ve all individually been doing bits of training each as we don’t want to be underprepared but also it’s going to be horrible anyway so we will have to pull each other through.

“I’m fairly excited because it’s the first big thing I’ve done as a team but the state of my body at the end will not be fun.

“I want to keep everyone in high spirits – and show that the first step to a problem is that a problem shared, is a problem halved.”

A spokesperson for Movember said: "Movember’s success comes from the strength of its community, going above and beyond to raise funds and awareness for men’s health.

"Their passion and support has helped fuel over 1,250 men’s health projects globally, and encouraged millions of men to take action for their health.

"Gerard and his friends embody the spirit of Movember, going that extra mile to help others and make a difference.

"Movember is truly honoured to have the support of the group, taking on this epic challenge to change the face of men’s health is a huge commitment.

"We’re blown away by their dedication to the cause.”

The overall goal of Movember is to reduce the number of young men dying by 25 per cent by the year 2030.

You can make a donation to Gerard and his team here.