My name is Tony Dow, and on Wednesday 19 November 2025, I’ll be hosting and taking part in the Men’s Mental Health Marathon at London Metropolitan University.

I’ve designed this challenge to represent the struggles men face daily — turning statistics into sweat, effort, and pain. It’s about making the weight of male suicide and mental health real, physical, and visible.

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Why it matters

12 men die by suicide every single day in the UK.

Suicide is the #1 killer of men under 50.

3 in 4 suicides are male.

40% of men never talk about their mental health.

These aren’t just numbers. They’re men — fathers, sons, brothers, mates. And I know what it feels like to be in that place.

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My story

I’ve had two mental health breakdowns.

The first was a complete burnout from the life I was living. It broke me.

The second came after I tried to make changes — proof that even when you’re doing the right things, it’s not always straightforward.

I’ve had suicidal thoughts. I’ve been in the dark and felt like there was no way out.

But I reached a point where I didn’t have a choice. I had to change. And since then, I’ve chosen to be different, every single day.

The life I live now is unrecognisable from the one I lived before. Through:

Physical activity and fitness — finding structure, resilience, and discipline.

Putting myself first — not out of selfishness, but survival.

Opening up and speaking about my struggles, instead of burying them.

That’s what’s pulled me through. And that’s why I want to get this message out there — because I know there are men feeling like I once did. I want them to see there is a way out. It takes courage and conviction, but change is possible.

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The Challenge

The Men’s Mental Health Marathon is 12 laps in one go — each lap tied to the numbers that define this crisis:

12 Burpees → 12 men die by suicide each day.

50 Squats → Suicide is the #1 killer of men under 50.

750m Row → 3 in 4 suicides are male.

40 Push-Ups → 40% of men never talk about their mental health.

35 Sit-Ups → 35% wait over 2 years before seeking help.

77 Seconds Wall Sit → 77% of men report stress/anxiety but don’t seek help.

That’s one circuit. Now repeat it 12 times, back-to-back, in one go — one for each man lost every single day.

It’s not just a workout. It’s a physical embodiment of the struggles men are facing.

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Who we’re raising for

All funds go to The Proper Blokes Club — a grassroots community changing lives through something simple but powerful: walking and talking.

They run free weekly walking groups across the UK, giving men the chance to come together, walk side by side, and talk openly without judgement or pressure.

But the money raised here isn’t for the walks themselves — that’s funded separately. This is about helping The Proper Blokes Club spread awareness, reach more men, and break the stigma around talking about mental health

They’ve helped hundreds of men — including me — and with your support, they can reach thousands more.

https://www.theproperblokesclub.co.uk/

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How you can help

Your donation will:

Fund more walking groups in more boroughs.

Give more blokes a safe space to open up.

Save lives.

Whether it’s £5, £50, or just sharing this page, you’ll be part of breaking the stigma and supporting real men through real struggles.

Donate today — for every man, every step, every story.

Thank you.

Tony