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Beyond Baseline: Beyond Baseline: Brotherhood, Breakthroughs plus a UFC Comeback

Mental Health Week insights, BetterMan events, and one powerful personal story

Author

Ross Anderson
May 16, 2025

Welcome to the Beyond Baseline Newsletter

Your weekly dose of high-performance insights, powerful mindset shifts, and real-world strategies to optimise your health, leadership, and resilience.

This week, we’re reflecting on the importance of human connection during Mental Health Awareness Week, sharing highlights from our community events, and offering a personal perspective on the journey through mental health challenges.

Let’s dive in.

NOW & NEXT 🗓️

Mental Health Week (13 - 19 May)

This week marks Mental Health Awareness Week across the UK, a timely reminder of the value of nurturing our psychological well-being alongside physical health.

The alarming reality of male friendship reveals a concerning trend:

  • 1930s–1950s: Men had an average of 5–6 close friends (Harvard Grant Study)

  • 1990: Down to 3.5 close friends

  • 2021: Further declined to just 2 close friends

  • Today: 1 in 6 men report having NO close friends at all

This silent epidemic of male isolation is a key reason BetterMan was formed to create spaces where men can build meaningful connections while challenging each other to grow.

Little Conversations Go A Long Way

Having little conversations is overlooked. For good mental health, we know that deep, meaningful bonds have great health value, but I think small talk is undervalued. Done in the right way, it gives you small bursts of happiness and builds social capital.

Whether it be the store hand in the shop you frequent, the receptionist or guard in your office building or someone from your after-hours gym or sauna sessions, having those small interactions with them pays dividends.

To enrich the experience further, add humour, share something about your day/life, be keen to find out their name or something from their world and remember it. I always find that the more of these little conversations I have, the more activated and happy I feel.

While women typically maintain more connections, similar downward trends exist across genders. In our increasingly digital world, we mustn't underestimate the power of real, in-person connection. These everyday moments, alongside deeper friendships, create the social web we all need.

BetterMan Gathering

This past Sunday, we hosted a BetterMan gathering featuring outdoor workouts, sauna sessions, cold water immersion, and a barbecue. These environments create the perfect conditions for men to connect authentically without judgment.

Some excel physically, others financially or spiritually, but all share the desire to improve.

Sunday's gathering once again demonstrated the power of creating conditions where people feel safe to be vulnerable. When ego is left at the door and common ground is established, meaningful connections form naturally.

BetterMan Gathering

IMPACT & INSIGHTS 💡

A Personal Journey: Mental Health Perspective

Mental Health Awareness Week reminds me of my own journey. Between the ages of 18 to 22, I suffered severely with panic disorder - experiencing what felt like multiple heart attacks daily.

My first panic attack was terrifying, confusing, and embarrassing. While on a weekend away in Callander, I suddenly felt strange, believed I was having a heart attack, and was rushed to Stirling Hospital with just a gown on - only to be told it was “all in my head.”

This began three and a half years of becoming increasingly reclusive, taking various medications including propranolol, crying in my mother's arms, and making middle-of-the-night emergency calls. Trips to A&E strapped to an ambulance became the norm. I would create excuses to avoid social situations where I feared having attacks, often bailing on friends at the last minute.

An excerpt from my medical notes at the time.

I genuinely believed something was structurally wrong with my heart and that life would never be the same again. But that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Today, I'm happier and healthier than ever.

I share this because it’s important you know - if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there is hope. Life does get better.

❝

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

Hal Borland

What feels permanent rarely is. Good times always follow challenging periods. Spring always follows winter.

If you'd like more insights on this journey, please reach out.

FLOURISH & FUNDAMENTALS

Elite Coaching With Colin Thomas

We held a special BetterMan Run at Pollok Country Park with GB coach Colin Thomas this week. Colin operates at an elite level, having trained with Eliud Kipchoge and Mo Farah, and coached world-class endurance athletes, including Sebastian Sawe (2025 London Marathon winner with an incredible time of 2:02).

Colin Thomas

The session showcased the calibre of individuals we bring to our community. Colin shared technical running insights, helping participants improve their form, run more efficiently, and even learn how to run pain-free with knee issues. The combination of expert coaching, connection with nature, and community spirit exemplified what our events are all about.

I initially connected with Colin when I brought him into a Beyond Baseline program with Dell Technologies a couple of years ago. His expertise and approachable teaching style make complex running techniques accessible to all fitness levels.

SPOTLIGHT: PAUL CRAIG

UFC Fighter Paul Craig Joins the BetterMan Retreat

This weekend, Scottish UFC light heavyweight Paul Craig steps into the octagon for a pivotal fight. Paul, from Craigneuk in Airdrie (my hometown), is currently facing a challenging period on a three-fight losing streak, making this a massive moment for him.

While many know UFC as “cage fighting” (an antiquated term, in my opinion), this sport combines beautiful artistry, technical skill, and profound psychological challenges. It demands mastery of multiple disciplines such as wrestling, grappling, striking, alongside exceptional mental fortitude and emotional regulation.

Paul Craig

Paul and I come from similar working-class roots, from an area known for its challenges, including gang violence and drugs. Eight years ago, he left a teaching career to pursue fighting professionally. He’s since beaten multiple former champions, including Magomed Ankalaev, the current reigning light heavyweight champ.

Paul brings incredibly positive energy wherever he goes, and we're excited to learn from his journey as an athlete, father of two, and man who has navigated significant life transitions.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES 🤝

Help Us Grow 🌱

We’ve been blown away by the response to these newsletters - over 45% open rate and powerful feedback every week, which is so valued.

If you’re loving what you read, here’s how you can help:

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Let’s keep building this movement together.

Reminder: Only one chance to join us for the BetterMan Retreat in Marbella (June 10-13)!

CONNECT WITH US

TAKE ACTION

📘 Learn More About the Better Man Retreat  
🤝 Join the Better Man Community
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This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and ways to push beyond your baseline every week.

Until next time,
Ross Anderson
Beyond Baseline Founder