Hannah Beecham
Sharing your passion to launch and lead a movement
“When you share your passion, especially around people that know, love you, or are already in that space, what can come from that is just unbelievable. I just think back to RED, it started with friends believing in it, and then just rippled out from there.”
This episode is a celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of movement.
Join us as we chat with Hannah Beecham, the visionary founder of Red January, a movement that advocates for mental wellbeing through winter fitness goals. Hannah reveals the heartfelt origins of this nationwide movement, ignited by her personal experience navigating her mother's depression. She chats about the challenges and growth of Red January, the barriers to movement, life as a female leader and the power of collaboration in effecting positive change.
Be prepared to be inspired as Hannah encourages us to embrace diverse physical activities in the upcoming year, fostering personal growth and supporting the broader Red January initiative.
Go Do:
Join us for the RunAlive Red January Challenge:
Register for Red January here and join our RunAlive Podcast team.
Link your Strava to Red January to track your activity
Join us in the RunAlive RunClub on Strava.
Record any activity on Strava every day in January - it can be anything from a walk around the block, or a ski down a mountain
This season of the podcast is sponsored by Run Unbound Endurance Coaching.
Whether running your first half, discovering trail running, tackling an ultramarathon or attempting one of the UK big 3 rounds, Run Unbound can help you to achieve your goals in a fun and inspiring way.
We are so grateful for Run Unbound's support Find out more about them here.
Show Notes:
The RunAlive Podcast x Hannah Beecham
Podcast Title: Sharing your passion to launch and lead a movement
Hosts: Ed Perry and Gary Armstrong
Hannah Beecham briefly introduces herself and her background in film marketing and advertising.Red January Overview:Hannah provides an overview of Red January, a nationwide public health movement promoting physical activity for mental well-being.Started eight years ago to address the impact of winter on mental health, especially for her mother who experienced depression.
Passion for Connection:Hannah shares that what makes her come alive is connecting with others, emphasizing the joy in simple, everyday interactions.
Origins of Red January:Inspired by her mother's struggles with depression during winter, Hannah discusses the initial idea of "Beat the Winter Blues."The campaign initially focused on running every day but evolved into any form of daily movement for mental well-being.
Diverse Participation:Red January has seen diverse participation, from a four-year-old to a 98-year-old, engaging in various activities like running, walking, and even cold water swimming.Partnerships with organizations like the University of Oxford have introduced new activities, reflecting the inclusive nature of the movement.
Community Impact:Over 270,000 people have embraced movement through Red January, fostering a sense of purpose and connection during the winter months.Fundraising efforts have generated over £3.2 million, supporting year-round movement and mental health projects.
Community Projects:Hannah highlights a specific project, a mum and baby yoga session, illustrating the inclusivity and accessibility of Red January initiatives.The aim is to break down barriers, such as cost and self-esteem, to make movement accessible to everyone.
Changing Dialogue on Mental Health:The conversation around mental health and movement has evolved over the years, shifting from education to a focus on preventative initiatives and solutions.Hannah discusses the urgency of addressing existing barriers in society.
Practical Barriers:Cost, self-esteem, and confidence are identified as practical barriers to movement, prompting Red January to explore solutions like affordable kit options and support systems.The importance of reducing societal barriers and creating inclusive spaces for physical activity is emphasized.
Personal Journey and Challenges:Hannah shares her personal journey, initially running Red January alongside a full-time job in film advertising.A leap of faith was taken when she decided to leave her job and focus on Red January, trusting in its impact and the need for such a movement.
Hope and Community Engagement:Despite challenges, Hannah expresses hope each year, driven by the support and engagement of the Red January community.The movement has become a significant part of participants' lives, reflecting its status as a true grassroots movement.
Hannah's Courageous Move:Gary asks about a pivotal moment where Hannah had to step away from her job, highlighting her courage.Ed Perry emphasises the importance of managing fears and the internal voices that question such decisions.Hannah expresses trust in her instincts, focusing on the present rather than worrying about the future.Her commitment to mental health advocacy led her to approach mental health charities boldly.
Evolution of Red January:Ed Perry notes the importance of not fitting into predefined expectations and allowing flexibility in evolution.Hannah talks about the dynamic nature of Red January, adapting to societal shifts and reducing barriers to movement.Collaboration is a key theme, as illustrated by the spontaneous connection through LinkedIn that led to the interview.
Female Leadership in Sports:Hannah feels fortunate to be in a collaborative environment with supportive leaders, both male and female.Acknowledges the shift towards more inclusivity and the power of collective efforts in driving real change.
Modern Leadership and Collaboration:Gary reflects on Hannah's leadership style, describing it as modern and centred on collaboration.Hannah admits to struggling with labelling herself as a leader but highlights her efforts to bring people together.The conversation explores overturning stereotypes and redefining leadership.
Advice for Initiators:Gary asks Hannah for advice for those on the edge of starting a cause, emphasising collaboration and seeking support.Hannah encourages not needing all the answers, surrounding oneself with a supportive community, and trusting instincts.
Red January Campaign:Ed Perry shifts towards the practical side, discussing how people can get involved in Red January.Hannah directs listeners to redjanuary.com to sign up individually or as a team, highlighting it as a free and supportive community.Red January's focus this year is on combating winter inactivity, with an invitation for everyone to participate and share the experience.
Run Alive Challenge:Ed Perry introduces the Run Alive Challenge, encouraging listeners to join their team on Red January and participate in daily activities recorded on Strava.The challenge includes a fundraising target of £1,000 to support groups benefiting others throughout the year.The interview concludes with gratitude for Hannah's inspiring insights and her commitment to mental health and movement.
Join our Red January RunAlive Podcast team challenge and help us to reach our target of raising £1000 for some amazing causes.
Join the RunAlive RunClub on Strava here.