Dads of lululemon celebrate the Silver Mo

This Father’s Day, lululemon and Movember together, are celebrating our dads and father figures, and a special kind of Mo.

It’s the Mo filled with crumbs of wisdom and eye-wateringly bad dad jokes, the one that’s always been there for us. It’s the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow. Because we’re on a mission to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.

Our mates at lululemon caught up with some of their ambassadors to discuss all things dad related – here’s what they had to say.

Chris Cannon

lululemon: Chris, what does Father’s Day look like to you?

Chris: To me, Father’s Day is a celebration of my family life. I once feared fatherhood, unsure I had what it takes to become the father I wanted to be. Now I know, that being in the moment to enjoy the days we share is all I had to be.

lululemon: What has being a dad taught you about yourself?

Chris: Before fatherhood, much of my life was spent in anticipation of the future. Being a dad taught me to live in the moment and be more present. As a proud father, I want to share every step, smile and milestone with my daughter, thus being in the moment is more important than ever. 

lululemon: How do you make sure to prioritise your mental health as a dad?

Chris: Being a father brings on new emotions and the best thing I can do for my daughter is to look after myself. I do this by prioritising daily self care practises before she wakes to create the mental clarity I need to show up for her each day.

lululemon: For Father’s Day, Movember celebrates and is fighting for the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow. When you hear this, what does it mean to you as a father?

Chris: As my children grow, I want to be there to share their special moments. As all father’s should be able to enjoy.

Ben Edusei

lululemon: Ben, what does Father’s Day look like to you?

Ben: Getting up early to go for a run, stretching and being able to eat my breakfast without my son eating half of it! Taking my boy to his swimming lesson and going for a family walk in the afternoon. Nothing fancy, just spending quality time with the people who mean the world to me.

lululemon: What has being a dad taught you about yourself?

Ben:

• How fortunate I was to have an amazing father whose guidance helped me become the man I am today.
• Asking for help is not a weakness but a strength.
• Being the best version of myself is the greatest example I can be for my family.
• There is nothing better than spending time with my family and just being present.
• Making mistakes is okay and expected you so give yourself a break and learn to laugh at yourself.
• Unconditional love is the best feeling ever.
• Sacrificing for others is rewarding and fulfilling.
• Free time is a gift so make the most of it.
• I love going to bed early and having naps are the best thing ever.
• Learning how to become more patient, forgiving and accepting can be challenging at times and that’s okay.

lululemon: How do you make sure to prioritise your mental health as a dad?

Ben:

• Communicate as much as I can about any issues that are bothering me with my family or a counselor
• Weekly long runs with a running group; something about being outside in nature with people exercising helps me (gives me something to look forward on those hard weeks)
• Being proactive about my physical health, daily environment and my social circles.
• Challenge myself to spend more time on mental hygiene then the time spent brushing my teeth. Sounds weird but the average person spends 10 mins per day brushing their teeth. What do you do everyday for 10 mins to help mental health!
• Practicing gratitude especially on those testing days allows me to realise how fortunate I am to have a son and be a dad.

lululemon: For Father’s Day, Movember celebrates and is fighting for the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow. When you hear this, what does it mean to you as a father?

Ben: Longevity - giving myself the best opportunity to see my child/children grow up by being proactive about my physical, mental and social wellbeing. Being an active grandfather to my grandkids and being able to enjoy whatever time I have with them and my family.

Ray Brown

lululemon: Ray, what does Father’s Day look like to you?

Ray: Waking up to my gorgeous wife and beautiful boys all in bed together. Spending uninterrupted, in the moment time with my family which will include our usual Sunday family breaky out at our favourite healthy local, grabbing a coffee with my wife then enjoying the outdoors with my family and teaching my boy about life and everyday things.

lululemon: What has being a dad taught you about yourself?

Ray: What being a dad has taught me about myself is I have so much to thank my parents for and that I am forever grateful for what they have done for me. The other thing being a father has taught me is a heightened unconditional love. One that I can’t explain, only one you can feel. And one more thing! My kids teach me daily - to be. To have endless love, as they do for everyone. To have fun and play!

lululemon: How do you make sure to prioritise your mental health as a dad?

Ray: As a papa, the way I make sure to prioritise my mental health is keeping open communicating with my wife & friends & every day prioritising ‘filling my cup’ in some form of way. Meditation, exercise, constant gratitude and viewing the good in all, breathing etc. These daily 1% self ‘builders’ are important to me, otherwise I can’t be the best father I can be!

lululemon: For Father’s Day, Movember celebrates and is fighting for the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow. When you hear this, what does it mean to you as a father?

Ray: I’m a visionary. A big action taker but a big dreamer also. When I hear this Tagline, I in-vision watching my babies grow in to adults then sharing my love I have for my kids with my grand babies. I’ll remember writing this when I get there, with my silver Mo - sitting & grinning as I hold my gorgeous wife’s hand and we watch all our babies (our kids & their kids) enjoy each other’s company & each others love for one another also :)

Jimmy Taylor

lululemon: Jimmy, what does Father’s Day look like to you?

Jimmy: I have always seen it as looking up to, respecting and appreciating what my father has done for me. Now I have a little one it looks a little different. I feel a bit of pride and responsibility that this one needs me to be there for her and to do the best I can as a father.

lululemon: What has being a dad taught you about yourself?

Jimmy: It has taught me the importance of family and responsibility. It has actually highlighted to me that life really is about family. Family and happiness.

lululemon: How do you make sure to prioritise your mental health as a dad?

Jimmy: A very important thing for me is to exercise. I do this for sanity rather than vanity. I feel better mentally after I exercise and have greater energy and clarity. Basically I just feel better. This is the one priority I try to set aside for myself so I can be better as a dad and have more mental energy and presence with my little one.

lululemon: For Father’s Day, Movember celebrates and is fighting for the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow. When you hear this, what does it mean to you as a father?

Jimmy: Yeah. I agree. We should. As a father it makes me want to make sure I’m around to see my daughter grow up. Make sure I am always there for her. So I need to keep myself healthy physically and mentally to do that.

This Father’s Day, join lululemon alongside Movember to help fight for the Silver Mo - the one all men should get to grow.

lululemon is supporting you, while you support Movember. Find out more here.

For extra info about the Silver Mo, check out this page: Movember.com/SilverMo