Movember is back: What is it and how you can participate

In 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, two guys had a conversation about mustaches. Questions like, “Why did the mustache disappear?” and “Could we bring it back?” were asked, and shortly after, they convinced 30 of their friends to join their mission.

Who knew it would become a worldwide movement, funding more than 1,200 men’s health projects?

With the ambition to “stop men dying too young,” the founding “Mo Bros” have used something that proved to be a good conversation starter (think, “What is that thing on your face?”) and turned it into a 30-day challenge to raise money for men’s health initiatives.

No-Shave November at AISB

Last November, we had a pretty big group of AISB teachers grow mustaches to raise awareness and money for men’s health initiatives. But this year, we want to go bigger. Anyone who can grow facial hair (yes, including you, students!) is invited to join the No-Shave November movement.

The Bite will hold a shaving party on the 2nd of December for those who successfully complete the challenge. There will be live music, food, and professional barbers who will shave the participants’ beards and mustaches in front of everyone (more on that in the coming weeks). All proceeds will be donated to the Movember Foundation.

60-Kilometer Fitness Challenge

If you cannot grow facial hair for personal (or biological) reasons, you can take part in the “Move” or “60-Kilometer Fitness Challenge” to raise awareness of men’s suicide. Sixty men take their lives every hour; so each kilometer you run or walk will symbolize every man who should be with us today.

You don’t have to be an athlete to participate in the movement; 60 kilometers in a month is equivalent to 4,000-5,000 steps a day. Below is a picture to help you track your progress (you can find PDF versions below).

For more information on Movember and how you can get involved, check out this official website, and stay tuned to both The Vampire Diaries and The Bite for more “Mews” (Movember + News, get it? Just funny to us? Ok.)

Tell us: Are you (or anyone in your family) growing a ‘stache this Movember? Have any ideas for a funny fitness team name? Comment below to start a conversation.