Darren Leggatt

...and a tough year it has been...

Tuesday 8th Apr 2025

Hey you. Hope you're good. Hope you're taking good care of yourself, giving yourself a break when you need to, making sure you're speaking up when things aren't exactly going to plan, especially when it's getting you down. But most of all, I hope you're being kind to yourself too. Making the good decisions.

If things haven't been so amazing, read on. Hopefully I have something to help.

Lately, I've had a bit of a rough time, which means you reading this, now you know you're not alone. And I'm a Ride Host for Tauranga DGR FFS, supposed to be a leader in men's mental health.

Long story short, had an operation go badly wrong back in 2015, suffered severe spinal nerve damage that's going to be with me for the rest of my life, had to learn to walk again etc. Lately, pain has been bad. Hard to deal with since it never goes away, worse when its worse. Wears me down, has had me in a dark place more than once. I still don't know 100% if I'm riding in the DGR this year. First time in 11 years. Hard pilll to swallow.

Hope, love and defiance have been the only three things to set me right. Each time, they have helped me knuckle up, light up my determination, help remind myself of all the things I'm grateful for, people I'm grateful to have in my life, and from that, I have dragged myself up to tell myself the same damn thing.

The defiant positive spin on the negative impact.

"I defied the odds. I can walk. I didn't die. I got this."

And that has been enough to fend off most of the darkness. Enough to help me carry on, take that next step. Then the next one. That and with my family and friends, who I do my very best to talk to, gather support from when I really need it.

I know this isn't enough, but I hope it helps you. An example at least. Your situation could be far worse. But don't give in. You got this. There is ALWAYS a way through it. What are your hopes, your loves, and where is your gut-tough defiannce?

I get that this darkness is dangerous. Envelops you. The black dog of depression pulls at you, isolates you. It's keen to have you fall. Harder still when other issues are at play. So many conversations I've had as a Ride Host for our DGR, so many amazing people who have stood so defiantly against that very same darkness and then told me their stories.

In each story, HOPE, LOVE and DEFIANCE have been the key.

So no, that darkness can't have you. If it has its claws in you already, you probably don't know it but honestly, YOU are so worthwhile, the world needs YOU, and there are at least a dozen or more people who need you, who will want to help you, who ultimately love you. There is more for you. You can and will get through this. Doesn't even matter what it is. Have HOPE.

If you feel like you're running on empty, gassed out, can hear that damn dog calling, and you know you're in trouble, please...get defiant. Tell it where to go. Fight it by talking to people you trust, being kind to yourself, ultimately give less [insert swearword that rhymes with trucks] to help yourself buy-out a little, and get yourself to the doctor to see if there is anything they can help you with, be it programs, medication, or groups you can go along to. You are not alone. Shit, even Ride Hosts deal with it.

I'm glad you read this far. Truly, you got this my friend. Fight the good fight. I will either see you at our ride, or be thankful you donated to this incredible cause to help others.

Take care of yourself.

Daz

 

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

Thursday 3rd Apr 2025 On Sunday the 18th of May 2025, 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.