Toby Freeman: The Big Ballsy Challenge – Running Through Grief, Stigma, and Hope

A quick note that this episode includes open discussion of cancer, grief, and loss. Please take care while listening, and skip sections if you need to.

In this episode, UKRunChat host Michelle talks to Toby Freeman, founder of The Robin Cancer Trust and creator of the Big Ballsy Challenge, a 500km running campaign raising awareness of testicular cancer.

After losing his brother Robin to a late-stage diagnosis, Toby channelled his grief into purpose, building one of the UK’s leading young adult cancer charities and using running to start life-saving conversations.

Toby shares his experiences of turning pain into action, what running means to him, his upcoming world record attempt at the London Marathon, and how humour can break down stigma around men’s health.

Topics covered:

• How The Robin Cancer Trust began
• The Big Ballsy Challenge and reactions on the road
• Using humour to tackle taboo topics
• Running as therapy and motivation
• The power of community and conversation
• Toby’s Thrive Against Cancer podcast

Links:

• The Big Ballsy Challenge: https://www.therobincancertrust.org/bigballsychallenge
• The Robin Cancer Trust: therobincancertrust.org
• Toby’s TEDx Talk: Three Steps to Surviving Grief
• Thrive Against Cancer Podcast: thriveagainstcancer.co.uk