By Powell Brown

 

In 2018, I received some of the hardest news I’ve ever received in my personal and professional life — three Brown & Brown teammates had taken their own lives in the 12 months prior.

 

Any number other than zero is too many, but three is far too many.

 

We could not sit by and passively accept the loss of teammates to mental health — or what I refer to as brain health. The challenge became determining how to make a real impact.

 

Companies are starting to recognize the importance of prioritizing brain health in the workplace by encouraging open dialogue and offering more benefits and resources, but there is still more that we can be doing.

 

I believe that the best route to take is often the most personal. For me and my brothers, this meant aligning a passion for cycling and physical health with a growing drive to for support brain health.

 

In the summer of 2019, I participated in my first cross-country bike race in support of brain health. The $1.2 million in proceeds raised during that race went directly to Skyland Trail in support of adolescent brain health care.

 

I haven’t looked back since.

 

A multigenerational family value

 

My brother Barrett introduced me to long-distance cycling about 15 years ago, but it was our parents who instilled a love for physical activity and a responsibility for giving back to our communities in us.

 

We watched our father Hyatt Brown give back to the community through advocacy in his role as Speaker of the House in the State of Florida, but also with his time and energy. He taught us the ins and outs of community service. He and our mother, Cici, taught us to focus on supporting causes that we feel passionately about and to always give back for the right reasons.

 

This August, my brothers, Kellim and Barrett, and I are taking on the Haute Route Alps, cycling the French Alps (seven days, 470 miles and 66,000 feet of total elevation gain) to raise awareness and funds to support brain health. Our shared goal for Shifting Gears on Brain Health is to raise $6 million for nonprofit organizations working in the areas of brain health research, education, prevention and treatment in the United States and internationally.

 

A challenging and impactful journey

 

We are committed to this cause, but we are not doing this alone. We are asking you, our greater community, to follow along as we embark on this 470-mile journey to raise awareness and funds for brain health. Please join us and consider donating to support our efforts.

 

We know that this challenge is going to test us — physically and mentally — which seems fitting for an initiative focused on brain health. We hope you join us on this impactful journey.