Panel discussion on stage at The Fast and The Fearless
Panel discussion at The Fast and The FearlessImage by: Movember
Panel discussion on stage at The Fast and The Fearless
Matthew Keenan moderates the panel discussion
Riders from The Fast and The Fearless huddle for group photo
Shane Kelly hits the track with riders
Riders in custom Pedla x Movember cycling kit
23 November 2022

The Fast and The Fearless: An epic sprint for mental health

Movember
4 minutes read time

There’s something about cycling. It's the people you meet, the shoulder-to-shoulder conversations, the comradery, the ambition, and the eagerness to take on big challenges. On November 11th, 2022, Movember held ‘The Fast and The Fearless’, a dual-part event at DISC Velodrome, Melbourne, comprising of a unique turbo-charged Olympic track ride, and a once in a lifetime panel discussion with some of the biggest names in Australian cycling and mental health.

Primed and ready for the velodrome, the anticipation elevated walking underneath the arena as participants of the turbo-charged Olympic track ride climbed the stairs, bikes in hand – ready for a unique and unforgettable cycling experience. The morning kicked off with an in-depth insight into the world of professional cycling, provided by elite sports scientist and coach of the Australian Cycling Team, Nick Owen. Riders were then joined by true Australian sporting legend and Olympian, Shane Kelly OAM - who alongside Nick Owen, guided the riders through a series of wind resistance and measured endurance exercises before hitting the track for a few warmup laps.

After a quick recharge, riders began to prepare to tackle a flying lap, with running commentary provided by non-other than leading Australian cycling broadcaster, Matthew Keenan. With the velodrome now theirs, participants enjoyed a few extra laps on a tandem bike with Shane Kelly, before wrapping up to refresh ahead of the panel discussion. Progressive cycling brand, ‘Pedla’, teamed up with Movember as the official clothing partner of The Fast and The Fearless. Each rider from the morning track ride received a custom-made Movember x Pedla premium cycling kit, generously crafted by Pedla for the event.

Opening much-needed dialogues around mental health, The Fast & The Fearless continued with a crowd gathering after lunch for a panel discussion. The panel featured leaders from both Australian cycling and mental health - Matthew Keenan (Australia’s Leading Cycling Broadcaster), Shane Kelly (Five-time Olympian & Track Cycling Legend), Nick Owen (Coach of the Australian Cycling Team), Andrew Ryan (Director at GreenEDGE Cycling), Dr Zac Seidler (Director of Mental Health Training, Movember), Justin Abrahams (Co-founder of Pedla) and Georgie Howe (Pro Cyclist with Team Bike Exchange-Jayco). After an hour of meaningful conversations, heartfelt stories and shared experiences, The Fast and The Fearless event came to a successful close.

Our mission is to change the face of men’s health. Three out of four suicides are men. It is the leading cause of death among Australian men aged 15-44, with approximately seven men, lost to suicide every day. By strengthening resilience and building stronger social connections, we are taking action to reduce the risk. Our community and evidence-based, early-intervention programs create networks and outlets for men to lean on and get the support they need before reaching a crisis point. So, more men can live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives. All funds raised through The Fast and The Fearless went towards the Accelerator Fund, to fast-track more lifesaving mental health research and initiatives.

Being a great mate means going beyond banter – Which is why Pedla has partnered with Movember to deliver a SpeakEasy workshop in their Collingwood store. If you're interested in how to build a greater connection with the ones you love, join us on Thursday 1st December at 6 pm and build out your toolbox. The Movember x PedlaSpeakEasy workshop is where you'll learn the tools to build stronger social connections and the confidence to dig a little deeper into the stuff that brings us closer, galvanise relationships, and improves mental health and well-being. It'll help you to SpeakEasy, and that can only be a good thing. Secure your free spot HERE today.

If you or a mate are going through a tough time and need to talk to someone immediately, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14. Alternatively, you can also find more places to get help at: movember.com/getsupport