We need to change the conversation of Men’s Health into something so much bigger.
The first part of this is to stop presenting numbers of mass or extremely low body fat % as the epitome of health.
Health is More Than Just Visible Abs
Achieving extreme physical goals often comes at the cost of overall health.
Many turn to Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) to reach body compositions that are otherwise unsustainable. This pursuit often leads to food obsession, low mood, irritability, and diminished sex drive. Restrictive diets also strain relationships and social occasions.
Consider these alarming facts: Only 3% of men eat enough fruits and veggies. Three out of four suicides are men. Half of all men face a cancer diagnosis by age 85. Four out of five don’t meet minimum movement goals. Clearly, we must make progress toward health more accessible and appealing.
We need a cultural shift that avoids scare tactics and guilt messaging. We must show diverse images of men’s health—representing all bodies, ages, and ethnicities—because people cannot aspire to what they never see.
Health doesn’t demand extreme sacrifice, expensive supplements, or a lifetime of bland diets. True health means becoming your highest-performing self, which rarely happens at 4–5% body fat. Performance is personal, and your best self evolves with each life stage.
Health looks like having enough energy to tackle your day, consistently building strength, excelling at work, and being present with your kids.
Before pursuing a specific body composition goal, ask yourself why. Body changes aren’t inherently bad, but your “why” and “how” should align with building and sustaining your best self in all areas of life.
Check out Part 1 of our Men’s Health Chat here!
…And part 2 after we had some minor technical difficulties
If this blog has resonated with you, we’re here to help and can support you in both your physical and mental health. If you want to know more you can:
Stats from The Australian Institute of Health & Welfare.
