Thor Thiele

What can we do:

Sunday 1st

1. Spend time with people who make
   you feel good.

Stay connected. Your friends are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.

2. Talk, more.

You don’t need to be an expert and you don’t have to be the sole solution, but being there for someone, listening and giving your time can be life-saving.

3. Know the numbers.

At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it’s right for you to have a PSA test. If you are of African or Caribbean descent or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor.

4. Know thy nuts. Simple.

Get to know what’s normal for your testicles. Give them a check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.

5. Move, more.

Add more activity to your day. Do more of what makes you feel good.

• Take a walking meeting
• Park further away from the station
• Get off the bus a stop or two earlier
• Instead of the lift, take the stairs
• Ride to work instead of driving

Prostate Cancer, 2nd leading cause of death in men.

Sunday 17th

As per World Cancer Research Fund: Prostate Cancer is the 2nd leading cancer death in men. In 2017, on average 58 Canadian men were diagnosed with prostate cancer every day, while 11 men died from prostate cancer every day (source: Canadian Cancer Society).

This statistic is probably similar in many countries around the world (In 2017 about 300,000 men died from prostate cancer worldwide).  However early detection and treatment can reduce that number greatly. 

The Movember Foundation is a leading charity addressing this cause.

That's why I have chosen to participate in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride and to fundraise for the Movember Foundation.

 Please donate on my page to support the fundraising effort for this cause. Every $10+ counts (and a receipt from the charity will be send for personal or corporate tax deduction purposes).

https://www.gentlemansride.com/rider/ThorThiele238829

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENSS -reach out to a friend

Sunday 3rd

GIVE SUPPORT

SIMPLE STEPS TO IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS

Men sometimes aren’t comfortable reaching out and opening up about life’s challenges – or they think they’ll be burdening their friends if they do.

If someone you care about seems to be going through a tough time (which many of us are in the current climate of COVID-19), they might not talk about it even if they want to. The first step in looking out for them is reaching out.

 

How to prepare yourself for a tough conversation

You can’t fix someone else’s problems, but you can be there for them. Sometimes listening is the most helpful thing you can do. You won’t make things worse by asking someone how they’re doing. Keep in mind that it’s always worth preparing yourself before you start the conversation.

Look at yourself

Are you in a good state of mind?

Do you have time to listen?

If they’re not ready to talk or don’t want to talk to you, are you OK with that?

If you ask them how they’re doing, are you prepared for the answer to be ‘not good’? Be yourself. You don’t have to be a counsellor or a doctor prescribing solutions – just be you.

Set a time

Good conversations can happen anywhere, but with physical distancing as the new normal for the time being, our options are limited.

Set up a time for a video call and chat ‘face to face’, albeit virtually.

Sometimes it’s easier to start a conversation via text or chat, and that’s fine too.

My Background

Saturday 26th

I got infected with the 'virus' motorcycles early on in my life.  My childhood bedroom's wall were decorated with motorcycle posters.  Unable to officially obtain a Driver's License (as I was too young), I 'borrowed' my father's bike occasionally...

I watched him fixing and re-painting the bike. In Highschool, I got my beginner license and got a 50cc bike. One month later I crashed it- a rooky mistake. My father and I were hiding the fact from my mother. We eventually brought the bike to an overhaul shop to have it fixed. Once repaired we told my mother about the incident (sparing her from an heart attack...). Later I upgraded my license and bike. I started off with a 250cc true classic from 1958 and upgraded to a bigger 350cc Horex Resident from 1956. My father as disappointed that I spent my money on 'unreliable' bikes. However, he rode the bike secretly when I wasn't around, a neighbour said. During those years I attended bike meets, met new friends and was privileged enough to look over some very talented shoulders-building or restoring their vintage bike. My weekend rides to bike meets and races eventually turned into an interest to go further. I rode 500cc to 1000cc bikes in many countries.

I always shared my passion for bikes with my father until 2015, when he passed away on prostate cancer.

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Saturday 26th On Sunday the 22nd of May 2022, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.