Bondi Rescue Lifeguard Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid is passionate about keeping people alive.

Not only does the well-known lifeguard practice what he preaches in the water, but as a man once bullied as a teen, he knows the importance of looking after one another beyond the physical sense too.

Having witnessed many heart-stopping moments in his 20-year career, now Reidy’s heroism extends beyond lifeguarding, focusing his energy on teaching the connection between exercise and good mental health.

On Sunday, 10th October the father-of-two, who now lives in Lake Macquarie, will walk 9km to mark the nine lives lost to suicide each day.

Working up a sweat for the 11th annual Walk For Awareness, Reidy will be joined by thousands of participants across the country.

And while most participants will attend the physical walk in Brisbane, Reidy will walk the 9km from Caves Beach to beyond Pinny’s Beach and back, attending virtually in keeping with Public Health Orders.

“Nine lives a day lost to suicide is too many,” he said.

“One life lost to suicide is one too many.”

As a Mental Awareness Foundation ambassador Reidy believes it’s imperative we are encouraged to openly discuss our mental health journeys with family and friends.

“I think in Australia we have a bit of that ‘she’ll be right’ culture and we need to change that. We need to be prepared to really talk about our mental health.

“It’s good to ask each other if we’re going okay, but I think it’s important to add physical exercise to the mix.

“It’s when we get moving that the conversation opens up and that’s when the brain lights up – there’s plenty of science in it.”

No stranger to battling the tides of mental health, Reidy admits tipping the scales at 120 kilos as a teenager, the catalyst for his passion with exercise.

Having been bullied about his weight and facing the rejection of a girl who denied his kiss on New Year’s Eve because of his size, Reidy decided at 19 that he’d had enough and started a strict training routine to become fit, eventually taking up a post as a lifeguard at Bondi Beach.

He now competes in triathlons and Ironman competitions, has an expansive career from Bondi Rescue to commentating iconic Sydney sporting events, and an online running group.

Reidy calls it his mongrel side, which has helped develop his perseverance and shaped him as a capable sportsperson.

On Sunday he’ll walk 9km carrying his two daughters in a child carrier, the one and two-year-olds adding an extra 20kg to his trek.

“It’ll be good to have them come along for the walk,” he said.

Last year’s Walk for Awareness raised more than $140,000, with essential funds being distributed to an array of registered mental health charities.

Mental Awareness Foundation and the Walk for Awareness event is the brainchild of Brisbane brothers, Wesley and Tudor Vasile, who founded the charity after tragically losing two close friends to suicide, within a short three-month period in 2011. 

The pair is on a mission to break the stigma around mental health, using the walk as an opportunity to initiate conversations and raise funds to tackle the suicide rate. 

The virtual event will be streamed live for participants registered outside of Queensland.

To register participation at the physical or virtual event, or to find out more, visit www.walkforawareness.org.au

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.