MAN v FAT is fortunate to have some incredible content creators within our community, spreading the word on the programme and also the wider world of weight loss, wellbeing and men’s mental health.
In the first of a new series, we feature The 23MPH podcast, put together by Jimi Murphy, Conor Skerman and Russ Palmer from the MAN v FAT Bournemouth club.
It’s one of two great podcasts from our Bournemouth club members and Jimi tells us more about the history and the future of 23MPH!
How did the inspiration for the podcast come about?
Men’s mental health has always been a big part of my life.
I felt like I needed an outlet with people who had no prior judgement or bias on what I was going through or the challenges I faced as a man, so I decided to set up Man v Chat, a men’s mental health support group within our league.
We are blessed with a community of lads that have engaged positively and had their own experiences and stories that they were willing to share. I was particularly touched by Russ sharing his story of loss and grief during his Lose 2 Win podcast appearance and so 23MPH stemmed from a conversation we shared about how we could better support and engage with our community.
What are your key aims when putting the podcast together?
We want to present men’s mental health as a barrier to be broken down and a bond to be built. Equally, we understand that we can (and do) maintain a “laddish” spin on a serious topic, making it easier for people to relate to and consume.
If somebody can take away a tool, idea or feeling from one of our conversations, we are helping them to take their first steps to better mental wellbeing. We are not therapists by name, but perhaps in a way by nature. We aim to provide a stress and judgement free environment where people know they can talk openly and candidly, no matter the source of conversation.
How has the podcast evolved over the episodes that you’ve put together so far?
What started as a semi-informal conversation between Russ & myself has evolved into a product which I am incredibly proud of. Myself & Connor had talked often about starting conversations about men’s mental health so it was only a natural step to bring him in and have the dynamic of the 3 of us.
What have been the most important stories you’ve told so far?
The episode that stands out most to me is the one we did with Liam Goodall (Episode 2). Liam is a suicide attempt survivor and was so incredibly open and honest in his experiences. Each conversation we have has left me with a new outlook or tool to use, but the one that stands out most to me is certainly Liam’s story.
The core theme of the podcast has been around mental health, how has MAN v FAT benefitted each of you in that regard?
I have gained genuine, lasting friendships with members of the MAN v FAT Bournemouth league. Aside from this, I have been touched and amazed by the amount of people who have engaged and been willing to support and reach out to us regarding what we have produced so far.
The community themselves deserve huge credit for their role in breaking the stigma that surrounds blokes talking about their feelings.
What are the future plans for the podcast as it matures?
Personally, I would love to grow the podcast to the point that it is recognised as a tool in itself for people who need support or feel the need to talk to someone. It’s so important to me that people recognise that they are not alone and talking to someone about the way they feel is not shameful or embarrassing and could genuinely save someones life.
Want to tune in?
You can catch the 23MPH lads on both Spotify and YouTube. Take a listen!
Want to feature in this series?
If you’re a MAN v FAT member who has been inspired to chronicle their time with us on Tiktok, Youtube, podcasts or even in written form, drop us a line on marketing@manvfat.com and we’d love to talk!