IN MAY 2018, a Port Stephens resident started a transformation that would forever change him physically and mentally.

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Mr Darren Bisson was offered a place on a 25-person international team to represent Movember at the TCS New York City Marathon as one of three Australians on the team.

For Darren the journey was personal.

Earlier this year Darren started to experience chest pains and mental distress.

This was at the culmination of what had been a very dramatic period in Darren’s family environment over the previous 18 months.

He realised he needed help and reached out to ask for it.

Test results showed there were no physical or medical issues with his heart and more than likely his symptoms were linked to anxiety.

During this time, an opportunity to run the TCS NYC Marathon came up and this gave Darren something to focus on for his physical and mental health.

Through training and his regular visit to his psychologist, Darren managed his diagnosed anxiety and depression through exercise and did not require medication.

Darren went from completing his first 5km training run in May to competing in the 12km Maitland River Run, 14km City2Surf, Half Marathon Lake Macquarie Running Festival, and Half Marathon Forster Running Festival.

Most importantly, Darren raised $5000 for Movember, thanks to the support of friends, family and work.

He is currently the highest individual fundraiser within the Australian Defence Force and his TCS New York City Marathon team have collectively raised $198,629 for Movember.

His wife Rebecca continued to support him and was able to join him in New York to support him as he ran toward the finish line.

He completed the TCS NYC Marathon in 5 hours, 50 minutes and 49 seconds.

Darren told News Of The Area, “With thousands of supporters lining the streets through Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Manhattan yelling out their support, it was very easy to forget that you were running 42.2km and just soak up all the atmosphere of the day.”

His marathon running days are not over with plans already underway for 2019 and beyond.

Darren would like to continue to support Movember into the future and help raise awareness for Men’s Health, in particular Men’s mental health.

Darren says, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help”.

“It might be the hardest step to make and things may feel like they will get worse after this step but in time, things can and will improve,” said Darren.

Show your support for Darren and Movember, by donating to Movember through Darren’s MoSpace page mobro.co/darrenbissonnycmarathon?mc=1 

By Heather SHARP