From November 4 to 6, 36-year-old Ash Madgwick will be taking to the AIS arena alone to complete an Ultraman challenge by swimming 10km, riding 421km and running a double marathon (84km) to raise awareness for men’s health.

For the month of November, men across Australia will be growing moustaches in solidarity and awareness of men’s mental and physical health. 

A traditional show of masculinity, Ash says the Movember movement started in 2003 when two friends in a pub dared one another to grow a mo’ after noticing a lull in the former facial hair trend. 

Deciding to turn it into a campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer, the organisation now supports millions worldwide to encourage the hard conversations.

For 20 years, Ash has been working on and off with Movember, to a point where, he says, being clean-shaven feels strange. 

An ambassador for the organisation, Ash travels across Australia in his downtime to encourage men to change their perception about masculinity by seeking help. 

Last year, he trained to complete an Ultraman, but found himself in hospital the night before the event after a severe panic attack. 

Ash missed the first day of cycling, but took to the pool on day two. This year, he is returning to complete what he started. 

“The guts of the challenge is to show people that they can do these things as well,” he says. 

“People can jump in the pool with me, sit on a bike beside me and walk as far as they want.”

Although Ash’s fitness will be on display, he says anyone is welcome to join in with him at any point of the challenge. 

“This is about showing what’s possible when you step into the arena,” he says. 

“I want to spark conversations about men’s health, raise critical funds and remind blokes everywhere that we’re stronger together.” 

Ash’s Ultraman challenge will be split over three days with day one covering a 10km swim and 140km bike ride, day two will see a 280km bike ride and ending the event with an 84km run on day three. 

According to him, it’s not about the race itself, but encouraging social conversations. 

“Grab a mate or work colleague and bring them along,” he says, 

“It’s promoting the power of conversation by encouraging people to walk or run around the track and plan out how they’re going to support each other, that’s what it’s all about.

“We’re building connections beyond both the event and the month itself.” 

Ash trains at least two hours each day, slotting in the occasional run into his lunchtimes. 

Father to two young boys, he says: “I have had to sign up to my own theory and realise that I can do more than I think I can.”

Teaching his boys about the importance of communication, collaboration and community, Ash says it has been important to show them that they can do the hard things in life. 

“I think it is important that kids see that their parents can do tough things, and it’s really beautiful that kids can be a cheerleader for their parents,” he says. 

“That’s a pretty special moment.”

Ash has called his personal challenge “Mo in the Arena” has a $50,000 goal that will go towards support for programs in mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. 

Donate at au.movember.com