Before the start of my 7th pro season I knew something wasn’t right. I saw a team doctor and was diagnosed with clinical depression and a anxiety disorder. I was put on anti-depressants and was told I would be on this medication for the foreseeable future. I was shocked to say the least. This seemingly all came out of nowhere. I was scared, confused and was totally lost within myself
10 days into being “medicated” I looked in the mirror and told myself; I will NOT live like this for the rest of my life, regardless of what anyone says. I knew deep down that things had to change, I got myself into this mess and I had to get myself out
Thankfully I had lots of great help along the way. No one can get themselves out a hole that deep on their own, but I knew it had to start with me. This was the start of the battle to get my health and my life back. Little did I know, this battle would last for years. Today I’m so glad I decided to fight the fight and kept going even when it felt like there was no way out
In those early dark days, I told myself that when I got to the other side of this excruciating, confusing and relentless pain, I would dedicate a part of my life to helping others get to the other side of theirs
Somebody asked me the other day why I was so passionate about things like mindset, mental toughness and mental health. Well here it is. I lost mine and had to go thru hell and back a thousand times to get to where I am today. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it. Yes
If you’re not training your mind and working on your mental health with the same intensity as you’re training your body, I personally believe you’re doing yourself a major disservice, I know that I was. And I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through what I went through. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy
And lastly, if you’re reading this and you are in pain, just know, nothing lasts forever. I was convinced my pain would, but it didn’t. I dug in and refused to let it define me. The first step to recovering from anything in my opinion is to reach out, get help and start taking action. These 3 simple steps saved my life, got me back in the game and can do the same for you
