A Magnificent Movember
Supporting a good cause while growing (sometimes questionable) facial hair — mustaches never looked so good at Freeletics HQ
Grow a Mo, Save a Bro
During the month of November, the Freeletics team was busy raising funds and growing mustaches in the name of men‘s health. Since 2003, the Movember Foundation has been instrumental in saving and improving the lives of men through projects focused on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, male mental health and suicide prevention. As a company with the goal to help men and women all over the world lead happier, healthier lives, the Freeletics Team was eager to become involved and show their support. At the end of the month, the donation totaled an impressive €2,020. Not only is this a cause close to hearts and our mission, but it was also a fun way to strengthen cross-departmental relationships and support both the community feeling and company culture at Freeletics.
No Mustaches Were Harmed in the Making of Movember
The Freeletics Mo Bro team consisted of 19 men from all over the company. From the product team to marketing and even engineering, each volunteer was encouraged to grow a mustache to show their support and strut their stuff. When asked why they wanted to participate in the challenge, there were several motivating reasons. Hugo Pona-Marinho, Engineering Manager, commented that Movember helps to end men‘s health stigmas. He continues that ‘‘these topics are sometimes avoided as they are assumed to be signs of weakness. This in turn makes people less likely to seek help before it is too late.’’ Others, like Android Developer Frank Hermann said that ‘‘Movember is an event which is directed to a good cause. Working at Freeletics means for me that we as employees are role models for others. So we support good causes and embrace positivity.‘‘ Both agreed that the sense of community at Freeletics HQ and the shared enthusiasm by everyone taking part made it easy to commit.
Leading by Example
Movember was not just supported by the 19 mustache-toting men, but also by other employees, including the entire Freeletics executive team. Director of People Operations, Daniela Labus, shared that ‘‘I donated to the Freeletics Movember team because it is an important organization. I also wanted to raise awareness about men’s health issues and for all the men in my family who always loved and supported me.‘‘ She also explained that the Freeletics Executive Team wanted to start this first year of participation off on a strong note: ‘‘Not only were we inspired by the engagement of the Freeletics team and wanted to support their efforts, but the father of an Executive Team member had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and survived it. We will forever be thankful to this great cause that goes into research and such treatments, and we hope that by donating, even more lives can be saved in the future.‘‘
Stronger Together
Although Movember is officially over and the mustaches have been shaved, the spirit of caring for others will always be in fashion at Freeletics. We support our colleagues in the good times and bad, and always respect each other as part of the same team. This month was another living example of how we are #strongertogether. We are looking forward to another and even bigger Movember next year. The countdown begins…
Want to learn more about the team and daily life at Freeletics HQ? Then find us on LinkedIn or follow @LifeAtFreeletics on Instagram. If this sounds like just the kind of team you need in your life, check out our open positions now!
