Timo Baumgartl: That’s why he now has a mustache

Professional footballer Timo Baumgartl (28) has had to deal with many sporting challenges in his life. But the most personal was the testicular cancer diagnosis he received in 2022. From the beginning he dealt openly with his illness and also spoke about mental problems. The fact that the cancer was detected at an early stage was crucial to his speedy recovery, he explains, emphasizing the importance of both regular health care and the issue of mental health for men.

Baumgartl is currently supporting the Gillette initiative for Men’s Health Month, which, among other things, donates one euro to the Movember Foundation for every Gillette razor sold in November. Movember is committed to tackling men’s three biggest health problems: prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Millions of men around the world grow a mustache during November to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about these issues. Baumgartl also currently has a mustache. “I didn’t know about it myself, but Gillette, who have been supporting the Movember Foundation for several years, came to me in October and asked me to take part,” explains the 28-year-old in an interview.

Timo Baumgartl: Yes, even though I don’t normally wear a mustache. The campaign began on October 31st with the official Shave Down – here you get a clean shave and then let your mustache grow throughout November. But you don’t have to be a well-known personality to get involved in Movember. The mustache is particularly intended to stimulate conversation and offer the opportunity to exchange ideas about mental and physical health. A topic that men should also talk about more openly.

Baumgartl: These topics are often taboo for men because traditional role models expect them to be strong and invulnerable. Many men therefore avoid doctor’s visits or preventive care in order not to give the impression of being vulnerable.

Baumgartl: It is very important that celebrities are open about their cancer, as they can raise awareness, reduce fears and motivate others to take precautions.

Baumgartl: The diagnosis was a shock, and the initial period afterwards was characterized by fear, uncertainty and many questions. Step by step I had to learn to deal with it and focus on treatment and recovery. In the end, my girlfriend, family and friends helped me incredibly. And of course the humor.

Baumgartl: The constant confrontation with your own mortality and the feeling that your own body is turning against you.

Baumgartl: I would advise them not to lose their sense of humor. Laughter helps you cope better with difficult times and gives you the strength to stay positive even in difficult moments.

Baumgartl: Talking openly about my fears and emotions and seeking psychological help was crucial. It helped me deal with my feelings better and understand that accepting support is not a sign of weakness.

Baumgartl: In professional football, it is often considered a weakness to talk about psychological problems, as strength, resilience and a “tough” way of dealing with problems are expected there. This makes it difficult to talk openly about mental challenges.

Baumgartl: Yes, Gillette supports the Movember Foundation’s “Ahead of the Game” project, which, among other things, aims to give young athletes and trainers an understanding of physical and mental health. The project does not yet exist in Germany and our visit to Viktoria was, so to speak, the first kick-off for it.

Baumgartl: The boys from Viktoria Berlin were great. You have to know that Viktoria’s first team has an average age of around 21 years, which is remarkably young. There were also two or three U19 players there. It was a great event, we did a few little mental exercises together and I was able to pass on a few experiences to the boys together with Ben Ellermann, the Movember ambassador and captain of the German national rugby team. I think overall there are a lot of positive things left. And almost all of the players (with beards) and coaches even shaved their mustaches on site – which resulted in some really cool photos.