An Australian writer has faced backlash after criticizing Nedd Brockmann’s 1,600km run, which raised millions for the homeless, by labeling his impressive feat of endurance “rebranded toxic masculinity”.
Jill Stark, an award-winning journalist, argued that the charity runner challenge reflected a broader trend of men “rebranding mental health struggles as displays of mental toughness.”
While she applauded Brockmann’s “admirable work” raising money for charity, Stark said she was concerned about his description of mental strength.
‘There has always been something that worries me about the philosophy he espouses and the message he sends about what it means to be “mentally strong.”
“It’s an exclusively male approach to wellness that involves less self-care and more self-flagellation,” she wrote.
“In this worldview, the more exhausting the challenge and the more performative the suffering, the more psychologically robust you are.”
He added that activities like endurance running, ice baths and paleo diets are examples of how men seek self-improvement, and he questions whether these activities truly represent “mind over matter.”
‘Or is the blokeification of mental fitness simply a name change towards toxic masculinity?’
Now-deleted social media posts by Jill Stark (pictured) described charity running as a broader trend in which men’s self-help activities are “rebranded as toxic masculinity”.
An Australian writer has taken aim at Nedd Brockmann (pictured) for his portrayal of “what it means to be mentally strong” while running 1,000 miles for charity.
Many Australians were quick to criticize Stark’s comments, sparking a backlash that led to her deactivating her social media account.
“Your formulation of Nedd Brockmann’s achievements as ‘renowned toxic masculinity’ misses the mark entirely,” declared one.
‘The challenges of resistance are not about performative suffering but about the cultivation of resilience, discipline and emotional regulation, essential traits for coping with mental health problems.
‘Research shows that these activities release endorphins and improve mental health by reducing anxiety, preventing depression and promoting mental clarity.
‘Physical challenges offer a path to healing as valuable as reflective practices, and dismissing them as mere “blokeification” not only spreads misinformation but risks alienating those who truly benefit from these practices.’
“The nerve to stand up for mental health and take down Nedd Brockmann, you’re completely prepared,” a second added.
Another added: “I see her points but she is completely wrong on all of them.” How unfortunate to think, try harder and publish that.
Brockmann crossed the finish line at 6.15am on Wednesday, having covered the distance by running 4,000 laps of the Sydney Olympic Park athletics track in just over 12 and a half days.
He began his epic run on October 3, aiming to break the world record of running 1,000 miles in 10 days, while raising money for homeless charity We Are Mobilise.
Brockmann raised more than $2.5 million for homeless charity We Are Mobilize while running more than three marathons a day for 12 days.
Although injuries and the resulting crippling pain prevented him from breaking the world record, Brockmann managed to raise more than $1.8 million for the cause.
He broke down in tears as he completed his final lap around Sydney Olympic Park before hugging his mother Kylie and father Ian.
Having run the equivalent of more than 38 marathons in less than two weeks, the cult hero collapsed to the ground shortly after.
“I’ve never been through anything like this before,” he said as he lay on the tarmac.
“I’m fucking proud of that.”
