Paddy The Goodie

MMA... Men's Mental-health Awareness

Are you a fan of the UFC (ultimate fighting championship)??

Whether you are or maybe you ask yourself, what is the appeal as to why your boyfriend, brother, or mates stay up till all hours to watch the card (list of fights and fighters) that is on?

And what first comes to mind when you hear the name Mcgregor, Diaz, Usman, even Dana White?

Regardless of if you know about any of what I've just mentioned, if you are on social media, well, you would have seen the name of Paddy Pimblett, aka Paddy The Baddy, after his last fight a week or so ago.

But, regardless of being a fan of MMA, his post-fight interview and, more importantly, his message went viral, and rightly so.

Two days after his friend had taken his own life, this remarkable sportsman and even more remarkable human still found the strength to see out his obligation with this fight not to let people down.

Most of these were working-class people who spent money, probably the money they did not have, to attend the event.

Once he did what had to be done in the octagon, the real magic happened.

Paddy used this platform to speak to all who listened about the importance of breaking the stigma around MENtal health, more importantly, the men that struggle with theirs.

The men who find it hard to talk, the men who think they cannot open up and speak about what is going on in their minds.

He (Paddy) dropped the usual fighter ego after winning his fight to speak out and say it's time to break the stigma surrounding men and talk about feelings and struggles.

Paddy is a true scouser, and anyone who knows the scouse slang would be familiar with the term "soft lad," a term used in jest or as banter for fellas (men) who might come across as sensitive or caring.

Using this alone could possibly stop someone from speaking out, so is it time to use it as a compliment for someone instead of a jibe?

I am a soft lad and am proud to admit it, but it took time to realize it is ok to say you are sad, unhappy, struggling, angry, or whatever.

Yes, the ego is still there, but I know how to use it to protect myself.

But with the help of good friends, colleagues, and therapy, I am better equipped to speak out when needed.

In an industry filled with massive egos, full of men who push themselves to the limits to achieve their goals, men who portray an attitude of no fear of anything to become the ultimate fighting machine, Paddy Pimblett showed there is another side to it.

He admitted and shared the mental struggles he has dealt with in his career to none more tragic than his friend's passing, days before probably his biggest fight to date.

Using his platform to create this awareness makes Paddy a champion already in my eyes.

We all may not have a UFC fighter in our friend's group, but we do have brothers, boyfriends, partners, cousins, and men who, in their way, are still fighters.

Fighting with their demons in their minds, battle and struggle every day.

Make it OK for them to be a "soft lad" and make it ok for them to talk openly, without judgment.

Please encourage them to join a new sport, go on that hike, go to therapy or attend that men's circle (following email spoiler) or retreat, and surround themselves with like-minded people who know what they are going through and will support them.

This task won't be easy, and this will be hard, and it may take time.

It may take a slow approach, but please don't give up.

It may mean being and seeing things "different" than their father's or family's attitudes, and this seems impossible to do, but it is not their family's mind; it is theirs, so how they deal with it depends on the proper support they have around them.

And as Paddy said, wouldn't you agree, you would rather them cry on your shoulder or someone else's than go to their funeral the following week?

Let's Break that stigma and learn to grow and communicate together.

Thanks as always for reading.

Marcus