Charlie Gearside likes to mix business with pleasure, even if that means wearing a dog on his butt! But his most serious venture yet, has been Pilot, a unique online website bringing healthcare straight to your door!
You’ve gone from advertising guru to founder of a successful online men’s health service. Tell us about Pilot?
It’s basically a health care technology platform, but in real terms we make healthcare fast, convenient and stigma-free for Australian men. We started two years back, treating the serious men’s health issue of erectile dysfunction, all online. COVID also made tele-health quite acceptable, which also lead to a good response. Now, we’ve expanded into skin care, sleep disorders, hair loss, premature ejaculation and STIs.
Apart from easy assess, is a major drawcard the freedom of stigma?
We don’t offer the full spectrum of a GP yet, and we’re not a replacement for the doctor, but there are some things that men in particular don’t want to talk about face-to-face with a doctor. Also, lots of us are time poor, so the option of a text-based consultation with an Aussie doctor and a pharmacy delivery, make dealing with these issues much more actionable.
Do people ask for medication to treat anxiety and depression?
Yes, that is a request on the platform, but when it comes to mental health we want to do it right. So we’re working on that in the correct and safe way, rather than just ‘pushing drugs’ to people. We’re very mindful about that and don’t want to be cowboys about it.
What are some of the most common questions you get?
Not exactly questions but lots of men come out of the woodwork and thank us for saving their relationships. We also get a lot of requests on mental health and people wanting a better format for online psychologists, so we’re working on that. It’s a massive thing to tackle.
Charlie Gearside, founder of online men’s health service Pilot
Do gay men ask different questions than straight men?
The questions go more directly to our doctors, but I do know that anecdotally gay men in Australia are having lots of sex, which is something straight blokes in long-term relationships can learn a thing or two about!
What have been the reactions to Pilot?
In the industry, there’s a sub-set of doctors that are very supportive, and we have some awesome doctors on the platform. There’s always going to be some that don’t agree with the online model of doing things, but COVID has really changed that perception. We are more accepted now by the healthcare industry and our patients love us! Many of them credit us for saving relationships and marriage, or helping to get over long-term issues.
What led to developing the Pilot idea?
The Pilot founding group are blokes, and we all know men who have gone off the deep end, and the stats around men’s access to primary care were pretty damning. We wanted to do something in tech and tele-health, so we left our jobs, raised some money and started our own domain.
“I cop a few arse pinches here and there, which I find quite flattering!”
Pilot seems to have been quite embraced by DNA readers, and the gay community in general, which is great.
Oh yes, our first office was on Oxford street, and we’re all inner Sydney boys, so the community has been part of the Pilot brand from day one. Good sexual healthcare is part of life for the gay community, much more so than in hetero circles, so we have plenty of allies! We’ve also been angling to have Benny, my co-founder, on the cover. He fancies himself! (Laughing)
Do you go clubbing with your gay mates?
Oh absolutely. Up until last year I was in a sharehouse in Surry Hills, with my gay housemate, and we’d have a few good nights at Palms, with Kylie and Abba pumping away. I’d emerge from there in a pool of sweat! We just moved nearer to Erskineville and have the Imperial just a stone’s throw away.
Have you ever witnessed homophobia?
I definitely did in high school, where it was even normalised into the language. That was in the early 2000’s and it was completely insensitive. Of my high school mates who have since come out, I can see why they would have struggled to come out then. They weren’t even given the option. I think schools are much more accepting now, but the homophobia was pretty blatant back then.
Has anyone ever come out to you?
Not directly, but my housemate I mentioned, I had known before he came out and I’ve been lucky to witness him become a person who is now comfortable in his own skin. It’s not always a linear path to coming out and it’s been great to see him become who he is – and that wee bit more camp!
When you’re out at the clubs, do guys try to pick you up?
I cop a few arse pinches here and there, which to be honest, I find quite flattering! I go home with a big smile on my face! (Laughing) I guess it’s not the most PC thing to say these days, but hey I was flattered!
Amidst Charlie Gearside’s other projects was Petflair, featuring pets on Speedos!
If you were gay, who would be the one?
For me it’s the Aussie actor Simon Baker. He was in the Tim Winton movie Breath, where he plays Sando, a swarthy Western Australian surfer. I’m not ashamed to admire a good-looking bloke!
Who’s your music diva?
I have nostalgic vibes for Aussie music from the Nineties and early 2000’s – that era of the Sydney Olympics when Australia was on top. I’m a big fan of Kylie and also Natalie Imbruglia. Torn is the longest No.1 in US history! That was such a great time for Aussie music.
What’s your go-to song on the dance floor?
Moloko’s Sing It Back. It’s one of those super catchy vocal-driven classics. I can just imagine how great it would have been hearing it in the clubs during the Nineties.
Any grooming tips?
My approach to hair styling has been erratic over the years, but I’ve always found an ocean swim is as good as a visit to the salon. The salt water is great for adding volume. Someone should bottle it!
“Gay men in Australia are having lots of sex, which is something straight blokes can learn a thing or two about!”
In your diverse career you’ve met a lot of people, including David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff. Has anyone stood out to you as a particular favourite?
In the old advertising days we used to shoot a lot with celebrities. Some don’t give you the time of day, like The Hoff! But I’m a bit of a cricket nerd, and I found the Australian test player Shane Watson to be a top bloke. He was actually interested in having a chat with a mere mortal!
Who has been your biggest influence?
My mum’s been a real rock for me over the years. She’s a true stoic individual and nothing fazes her. I’d like to think that I’ve inherited some of my mum’s characteristics.
What quote do you live by?
I picked up “Keep the fire burning” from the Seventies’ soul singer Gwen McCrae, as a bit of a mantra. It has so many applications in my daily life, in business and in relationships. I haven’t got it tattooed – yet! (Laughing)
That’s a quote to follow you all through life!
Hopefully, including through cremation! (Laughing)
“I’m not ashamed to admire a good-looking bloke!”
There was a popular image of you on Instagram wearing swimwear with a dog on your arse! Tell us about that @petflair campaign.
That was pretty funny! Petflair was basically printing people’s pets on Speedos, which I started with my mate Tyler Martin. He was an Olympic water polo player and knew how to make swimwear. We started it with people’s dogs for a bit of a laugh, and it proved very popular with the gay community. Next thing, we were on the Today Show and even had George Takei from Star Trek posting about it. It went viral and we sold a ton of it. It was hard work, but fond memories.
So when it comes to underwear, are your briefs, fitted boxers or freeballs?
I’m a briefs guy, but I’ve recently been enjoying the world of freeballs, because I bought a pair of terry towelling shorts. They’re comfy and bloody amazing!
For more visit: pilot.com.au
