No man should have to walk through their personal battles alone, which is why Fathers Sons Brothers’ Warrior Walk is bringing hundreds of people together this November for a free, 30-minute guided walk to spark connection and break the silence around men’s mental health.
South Africa (15 November 2026) – On Tuesday evening, 24 November, connection and healing will come alive as Fathers Sons Brothers hosts Warrior Walk Global – a free, 30-minute guided walking meditation for men’s mental health.
Men and women will join one huge Zoom call from wherever they are and walk in their own neighbourhoods with headphones in, guided in real time. Afterwards, participants will spend 20 minutes connecting with each other and the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).
Falling on Men’s Health Awareness Month, the event carries a simple message from Fathers Sons Brothers: no man should have to walk alone.
The brainchild of Gareth Pickering, Fathers Sons Brothers was born from a personal discovery that there is no shame in speaking up about one’s struggles – only healing, community and empowerment.
Back in 2016, Gareth attended an eye-opening co-ed retreat. On the third day, all the men were invited into a men’s circle, an exercise Gareth initially found himself resisting.
“Each man was asked to step into the circle and share a personal challenge he had been working on his whole life. We were told the first thing that came to mind was likely the one to share.”
For Gareth, the first thing that surfaced was a lifelong battle with sex addiction.
“My body contracted, and my hands sweated. I reminded myself, ‘You came to this retreat to grow. Find the courage and step in.’ With my heart pounding, I entered the circle and spoke.”
Gareth found himself opening up about his life, the encounters that left him feeling guilty and ashamed, and how out of control the pattern felt.
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He learned that sharing his story was healing for the other men, too – and realised that his resistance to speaking openly and being witnessed by his peers was precisely the healing he needed.
Gareth founded Fathers Sons Brothers to bring men together and reconnect them with Men’s Work: the practice of gathering to be honest with each other and doing the inner work together.
The organisation’s upcoming Warrior Walk exists so no man has to carry his burdens alone. Participants will walk in their own neighbourhoods while connected to the conference call, guided in real time.
“Afterwards, we will spend 20 minutes connecting with the community and with SADAG, our beneficiary,” explains Gareth.
Through his engagement with men from different walks of life, Gareth has found that most already know they should look after their mental health.
“Too many men carry their pain in silence. They learn early to handle it alone, to stay strong, and to not be a burden. That silence is dangerous. These struggles live inside and fester like an untreated wound.”
“I live in South Africa, and I see the effects in men every day: depression, suicide, and a deep loneliness. I work with men daily through our community, Fathers Sons Brothers, and I see how much changes when a man stops hiding and finds other men who are honest about their struggles. When men feel connected, loneliness dissolves, pain eases, and pressure lifts.”
Gareth says that knowing they need support isn’t the gap for men – taking that first step is. A walk offers a small, safe way to start.
“A man does not need to book a session or speak in a group. He moves, he breathes, and he knows hundreds of others are doing the same thing at the same time.”
While this walk is focused on men’s mental health, it’s open to both men and women who want to walk in support of the cause. Gareth hopes to see 500 walkers join the movement. Registration is free, with an optional donation to SADAG at checkout.
“We want the event to start a conversation that lasts beyond the walk, and to point men toward real help.”
The Warrior Walk Global is a 30-minute guided walk and will take place on 24 November at 6 pm SA time. Register for Warrior Walk at: https://www.fatherssonsbrothers.com/notalone
Find out more about Fathers Sons Brothers by visiting the website.
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