FEATURE
3 MINS 59 SECONDS
The Man Behind Biogen,
BRANDON FAIRWEATHER
You’ d think that after nearly 20 years of working together, we’ d have heard it all from Brandon Fairweather— the punchy Biogen Brand Manager with an infectious laugh and more energy than a box of caffeine chews. But sitting down for a chat with The Roving COW, Richard Laskey, Brandon once again ain reminded us why he’ s not just a brand builder, but a battle-tested warrior in running shoes with a heart( literally) built for endurance.
These days, Brandon juggles his dual roles as Biogen Brand Manager and Dis-Chem Health Category Marketing Manager, shaping the health and wellness space in South Africa like only he can. But behind the campaigns, vitamin shelves, and Instagram-ready smoothie bowls lies a story that’ s equal parts heartbreaking, hilarious, and downright heroic.
FROM THE HEART( LITERALLY)
Brandon was born with a congenital heart condition ion that quietly loomed in the background for most of his young life— until it didn’ t. At 28, he found himself on the table for open heart surgery, and life would never be the same again.“ After surgery, the doctors suggested I take up running,” he says with a grin.“ Which I interpreted as walking.... very slowly … to the fridge.”
But as Brandon does, he threw himself into it, gradually building from those first tentative steps to finishing a half marathon.“ Rehab through running worked out. I wasn’ t exactly Victorix Ludorum at school, but hey, I managed to hold my own,” he chuckles.
And where did it all start? parkrun.“ I needed to get to know my body again, understand my new limits. And let ' s be honest, a free 5km and a coffee after? Sign me up.”
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