Movember - a charity for men's health - has their annual fundraiser this month. And as the name suggests, men involved are challenged to grow a mo' in the month of November.

Shoalhaven man Mick Mason has organised a fundraiser through the mixed martial arts gym he attends for the past three years.

He said there's a natural connection between martial arts and improved mental and physical health.

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"My own journey in jiu-jitsu began when I was pretty unhealthy - both mentally and physically," he said.

"I was going through a stressful period at work and doing all the wrong things to deal with it.

"A couple of my mates kept talking to me about the benefits of jiu-jitsu, so I decided to give it a try.

"I lost a lot of weight, but my mental health benefited the most."

Mr Mason said his experience inspired him to support other men's mental health through Movember, an initiative that gym owner, Richard Kemp, was very responsive to.

"In 2014, I was in a four-man MMA tournament - two of the guys who fought in that tournament later committed suicide," he said.

"They were good friends of ours, they had beautiful families. It tore our whole community apart.

"If [Movember] can encourage people to open up, raise some funds and potentially save a life, it's worth it."

Mr Mason and Mr Kemp were emphatic that the perception of martial arts as a place for "macho" men did not reflect the experience of most martial artists.

Instead, they said martial arts gyms were spaces that fostered trust between teammates and created space for essential conversations.

"You put yourself in uncomfortable positions and you overcome that sense of fear over and over again," Mr Mason said.

"You trust your teammates with your physical safety and the camaraderie that goes along with that is a big part of being able to have those hard conversations."

Mr Kemp agreed.

"You might think 'my friends don't want to hear me whinge'," he said.

"But if you're having a hard time, opening up about that isn't whinging. And your true friends will hold you by the hand and pick you up.

"That's what we do."

Although both Mr Mason and Mr Kemp are in the early days of moustache growth at the moment, they have a clear vision of what Movember glory looks like.

Mr Mason conducted an online poll for his mo'spiration and a Ron Swanson style moustache was the clear winner.

He said he has a lot in common with the Park and Recreation character, so the choice felt fitting.

Mr Kemp's said his moustache goal is the same every year: "The creepiest, dirtiest mo ever."

"And he's achieved it every year so far," Mr Mason said.

To support the Kemp's mixed martial arts Movember team head to https://au.movember.com/team/2327529 and make a donation. All proceeds go towards supporting men's health.