June is a noisy month. It’s packed with celebration, awareness, and causes that deserve our attention—Pride Month, National Safety Month, National Fishing Week, and dozens more. But sometimes, in all the celebration, one deeply important recognition gets lost in the shuffle: Men’s Health Month.
You might not even realize it’s been around since 1994. That’s over 30 years of attempting to shine a light on the very real, and often very silent, health battles men face. From skipping doctor’s visits to struggling in silence with mental health, men have historically been conditioned to “tough it out.”
I know that story all too well.
🧠 Mental Health: The Quiet Struggle
Consider this: in 2023, men died by suicide at four times the rate of women.
And yet, only 1 in 4 men who struggle with mental health ever seek help.
Why? Because we've been sold a version of manhood that doesn't allow room for cracks in the armor.
I used to wear that armor too. It looked like long workdays, stress migraines, and a fake smile. I thought if I just pushed harder, I’d find peace. But peace never came—it just got buried under expectations.
🧪 What We Don’t Know Can Hurt Us
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60% of men avoid going to the doctor, even when something feels off.
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Testicular cancer, the most common cancer in men aged 15–34, has a 95% survival rate if caught early—but only if caught early.
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30% of men wait as long as possible before getting help.
These aren’t just statistics—they're stories waiting to be rewritten. Stories like my dad's.
When he was diagnosed with cancer, it came after 30+ days of hiding the fact that he couldn’t swallow food. He didn’t want to worry anyone. My mom made him go in when the weight loss became too obvious to ignore. He never wanted to be a burden.
That’s the script many men follow: Don’t speak up. Don’t complain. Don’t be weak.
💪 Redefining Strength
So I decided to write a new script. This June, I committed to a transformation that pushes me physically and mentally: training for a men’s physique competition in February.
Week 1? Brutal.
Week 1.5? Humbling.
I’m eating meals I don’t want to prep. Doing workouts that feel foreign to me. Missing the cardio I love. And feeling completely out of place—even with a coach guiding me.
But here’s what I’ve realized: discomfort is where real growth lives. I’m not doing this to win a medal. I’m doing this to rewrite what strength looks like—to challenge my mind and break patterns of self-doubt.
💥 Lessons from the Gym & the Mind
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I missed half my meals because I was tired—and let myself off the hook.
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I stressed out about workouts instead of learning from my coach.
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I wrestled with imposter syndrome and wanted to quit.
But then I remembered: This is Men’s Health Month. This is my WHY.
I’m not failing. I’m fighting.
I’m learning to see failure as feedback. To see discomfort as data. To build resilience, not a façade.
🧩 The Bigger Picture
Too many men walk around carrying invisible burdens: anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness. We're expected to carry them in silence. That silence can kill.
We need to normalize asking for help, not just in June—but every month.
Whether it’s a therapist, life coach, pastor, or support group, talk to someone. You don't have to fight alone.
☎️ Resources Worth Reaching Out To
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
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Crisis Text Line – Text “HELLO” to 741741
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Veterans Crisis Line – Call 988, then press 1
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SAMHSA Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (24/7)
🔄 Rewrite the Narrative
Let June be more than just a celebration of everything else. Let it be a spark for men to reclaim their health, challenge their mindset, and reach out.
If you're reading this and you’ve been struggling—know that you’re not broken, weak, or failing.
You’re just waiting to find your why.
And when you do, everything changes.
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