R4R: How the 'Just Keep Moving' movement started moving
A young Matt Breen was travelling through Europe with mates on the trip of a life-time, when he awoke one morning to find he had missed calls from his Mum...
In 2010 a young Matt Breen was travelling through Europe with mates on the trip of a life-time, when he awoke one morning to find he had missed calls from his Mum.
Curious to know what was up, he stepped outside to check his voicemail.
“I could tell by the tone in her voice that something was wrong and when I called her back, she told me that Dad had killed himself”
A devastated Matt then went back into the room to tell his mates that he was going home, and when they asked “Why?”… Matt forced out the 5 hardest words of his life:
"It's my Dad… he's dead".
Matt blamed himself for his father’s death and missing a phone-call from him in his final moments left Matt feeling like he could have done more.
“In the months following Dad’s death, I went to the gym, went for runs, caught up with my mates, went back to work, and really… just got on with things”.
This mindset gave Matt the belief that if you approach life in the right way, that pain could be avoided.
His “head down, bum up” way of getting on with things helped him cope until his Mum was diagnosed with advanced-stage Cancer in early 2019, shattering his belief that everything would be ok if he just focused on what he can control.
Facing the prospect of losing another parent, Matt decided he needed to do something.
Something for himself… and for others.
“ITS NOT ABOUT THE RUNNING”
Everyone has tough times and mine was in 2018.
Not long after my wife and I had our 3rd child, my grandmother Clarice was diagnosed with terminal Cancer and given weeks to live.
Then a week later it became clear that I should hang the boots up and retire from professional footy… and the combination hit me for six.
Two of the things I depended on most were no longer in my life.
But a week later, a mate said I should come for a parkrun… and I was hooked and hardly missing a run during my first year retired.
As my 50th parkrun approached, I decided to write a blog thanking parkrun for how it (and my mates) helped me keep myself together when I felt like falling apart.
Many people understandably think parkrun is just about running, but it’s so much more than that.
A Neuroscientist I am not, but I’m convinced that during my tough patch when I was exercising regularly with mates, I was giving my brain a special combination of fresh air, Oxytocin, and some of nature’s morphine (Endorphins) which all helped my brain to process and accept what I’d lost.
Instead shielding me away from my pain, parkrun helped me to face it and reflect on the great life that Grandma lived, and on the fact that I’d given Rugby my all and that chapter of my life had now ended.
I remember being hesitant while I wrote the blog, but told myself that “If sharing my story can help one person, then I think it’s worth it”.
And luckily I did because a few months after the blog was publish, the Dock received an email from a bloke named Matt Breen asking if we’d support his weekly run, and just like that… Running for Resilience (R4R) was born!
JUST. KEEP. MOVING.
Every Wednesday, people from all walks of life meet at 6pm to run (or walk) a 6km course which starts at the Kingston Foreshore and goes along the lake to Commonwealth Ave Bridge and back.
After the run, the Dock shouts everyone a beer while they catch up and end “hump day” on a good note.
And for you early birds, there’s also a Friday morning run along the same course that departs from the Dock at 6:15am every week, followed by a morning cuppa.
Matty is the driving force behind R4R and his positive energy is infectious. His social media monologues always leave me feeling optimistic about the future, and fills me with a desire to do more for others who may be doing it tough.
While I played with the Brumbies, I experience a feeling that I’ve only felt from “being apart of something bigger than myself” and I believe that feeling was one of peace.
A peace that’s only found in committing to a purpose, whether that be your family, your sporting club, your work, or your church, as research has shown that people who commit to a purpose experience less stress, anxiety and depression.
I feel the same way about R4R as I do with parkrun and I couldn’t be prouder to support Matt and his mission.
Sadly, Matt’s mum recently lost her battle with cancer and to see how he’s coped, all while having his first child and changing careers, has been inspiring.
I’ve never met anyone I want to see succeed more than him, and I’m determined to help get his message out there where it’s needed.
“No matter what you’re facing, if you don’t give up and just keep moving, things will get better and you’ll be stronger for it.” - M. Breen
If you want to help Matty out or donate to the R4R cause, come for a run because as he says “Your sweat is a donation into the goodwill economy”.
I love R4R and everything it stands for, and long may it continue.
Just. Keep. Moving.
Exercising with mates is how I dealt with my toughest times. What did you do during yours?
We are blessed to have Matt Breen working with us at Canberra Consulting. I have personally seen him grow over the past 5 or 6 years when he first pulled on the boots at Easts Rugby, took on the task as Club Treasurer (unenviable job at Easts, believe me!) and generally met every challenge thrown at him. Just learned he is going to run the marathon this weekend. It is an over used word but Matt is an inspiration. Thank you Ben for supporting him and R4R.