During the entire month of November, local organizations and community members participated in the first-ever Make Your Move for Men’s Health challenge. Spearheaded locally by Blue Zones Project, Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, and Rudius Quest Coaching, the month-long campaign aimed to increase awareness of men’s health in the area of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Celebration on December 4 at Mia & Pia’s Pizzeria & Brewhouse
Community members – men and women alike –joined the campaign on www.Movember.com by joining the “Make Your Move for Men’s Health – Klamath Falls” challenge. During the month, men grew mustaches, and community members walked or ran 60 miles in the 30 days of November.
Alongside the community, teams from 173 rd Fighter Wing, Klamath Falls City Police, Klamath County Fire District #1, and Oregon Department of Forestry competed in a separate Strut Your Stuff Challenge, with teams taking on the fitness tests that their respective employees are required to complete. These tests varied from a 2-mile hike with a 45 lb. pack, to a modified Firefighter Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
Blue Zones Project and Rudius Quest Coaching hosted live interviews with men throughout the community to discuss topics such as weight loss, time management, exercise, and mental health. “One thing that stood out in all of this is that social connection, having people to hold you accountable, or a supportive family member are extremely important to helping men stay on track with their health goals. It’s not about having the motivation to exercise or eat better, it’s about having an environment that helps you be consistent,” says Chad Elbert, Owner of Rudius Quest Coaching.
On December 4, at 5:30 pm, Mia & Pia’s Pizzeria & Brewhouse hosted a celebration to wrap things up with awards and prizes. Terrance Hunter, the owner of Sammy’s Parlor, was the local celebrity guest judge for the best mustache and beard contest. The team from Klamath County Fire District #1 was celebrated for winning three of the four Strut Your Stuff Challenges, retired physician Dr. Glenn Gailis received an award for logging 80 miles during the month, and community members Rafael Santiago and John Fitch won in the best mustache and best beard categories.
Also recognized at the event were men of the Strut Your Stuff competition who had the overall best times at each event as the Overly Manly Man – John Fitch from Oregon Department of Forestry, Wes Kleinjen from Klamath County Fire District #1, Adrian Mateos from Kingsley Field, and Joseph Reed from Klamath Falls Police Department.
“In 2019, we set our sights on engaging more men in our community in health-related topics,” says Kendra Santiago, PR & Marketing Manager with Blue Zones Project. “The Make Your Move for Men’s Health campaign has been a great project this year, one that has opened our eyes to some of the battles men face with their own health.”
For more information about the campaign or to get involved in Blue Zones Project contact the team at 541-359-2802 or email us at info@healthklamath.org.
About Blue Zones Project
Blue Zones Project® is a community-led well-being improvement initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to a city’s environment, policy, and social networks.
Established in 2010, Blue Zones Project is based on research by Dan Buettner, a National Geographic Fellow and New York Times best-selling author who identified five cultures of the world—or blue zones —with the highest concentration of people living to 100 years or older. Blue Zones Project incorporates Buettner’s findings and works with cities to implement policies and programs that will move a community toward optimal health and well-being. Currently, 50 communities across North America have joined the Blue Zones Project, impacting more than 3.4 million citizens. The population health solution includes two Health Districts in California; 15 cities in Iowa; Albert Lea, Minnesota; the city of Fort Worth, Texas; Corry, Pennsylvania; Airdrie, Alberta; Brevard, North Carolina; and communities in Southwest Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Blue Zones Project is a partnership between Blue Zones, LLC, and Sharecare, Inc. For more information, visit bluezonesproject.com.
Klamath Falls is Oregon’s first Blue Zones Project Demonstration Community. To learn more about Blue
Zones Project, contact the Blue Zones Project team in Klamath Falls at BlueZonesProject@healthyklamath.org or visit www.healthyklamath.org/bluezones.