CrossFit athlete Khan Porter wants us to help lift the weight off our mate’s shoulders

27-year-old Khan Porter is a world-class athlete and one of Australia’s leading CrossFit champs, having competed three times at The CrossFit Games.

Known for kicking physical goals, Khan is putting his muscle behind a cause that’s close to his heart – suicide prevention. This weekend will see him compete in the highly competitive Reebok CrossFit Games 2017 Pacific Regional, wearing a bright yellow shirt in support of R U OK?

This won’t be the first time he’s spoken up about mental health and suicide prevention. In 2016, Khan posted a 25 second video of himself busting some serious moves to Beyoncé’s ‘Single Ladies,’ in between his CrossFit lifts. The video went viral and Khan used the platform to start a conversation on how concepts of masculinity can stop men from seeking help when they need it most.

“I posted my video last year for fun obviously, but also to start more positive conversations about what it means to be ‘a man’. I believe just as it’s ok for blokes to dance, it's ok for them to battle mentally and emotionally sometimes, too,” he said.

“As someone who has personal experience with mental health issues, I know how difficult it can be for a man to seek help for something that is often brushed off as ‘just being soft’. This attitude really needs to change.”

Khan believes the best way to start is by encouraging men to talk to each other about their mental and emotional battles by checking in and asking them in a meaningful way, if everything’s ok.

“When you’re struggling, you spend a lot of time in your head going over and over all those heavy feelings and thoughts. But when a person who cares about you comes up and says, “Hey, we think there’s something going on with you,” that kind of comment can be the catalyst for you to learn more, accept what’s going on and move towards understanding and recovery,” he said.

“For me, that’s exactly what happened - two of my mates asked me, “are you ok?” and that conversation started my journey.”

That’s why Khan will be raising awareness for national suicide prevention charity R U OK? at the upcoming Pacific Regional CrossFit Games (26-27 May, 2017)

“That’s why I’m wearing the R U OK? shirt at the games – to get people in the CrossFit community and beyond talking to one another about life’s ups and downs.

“When we normalise the “are you ok?” conversation, it will end the perception that only ‘brave’ people can open up about their feelings,

“I hope wearing the R U OK? shirt sends the message out far and wide that everyone has bad days and we really can help our mate’s by checking in and listening to them when things are tough in their world.” he said.