Matt’s Story
1. Give a short biography of yourself, particularly your occupation and experience in sport.
Sport has always played a big part of my life with swimming being my main sport as a youngster and through university. More recently I have turned my hand to Skiing. I completed my MSc in Sports Science back in 2012 and am currently full time employed as Physical Activity & Health Manager for a Leisure Trust. In addition I have my own Human Performance company working with athletes from grassroots to professional.
2. What personal experiences with mental health do you have? Either with yourself, people in your field or friends.
My full time role helps to engage those struggling with mental health and trying to improve their lives through the power of sport and physical activity. It is something that I see on a daily basis but also see how increases in a persons level of physical activity can positively impact on someone’s mental wellbeing.
Personally, a close friend has lost their younger brother to mental health struggles and it really brings home how misunderstood male mental health really is. It is however becoming more and more of a talking point which is good.
3. How do you feel sport/fitness affects mental health?
Exercise/Physical Activity has many positive impacts on a persons mental health. From lowering levels of stress, depression and anxiety to improving energy levels, self esteem, mood, sleep, confidence, brain power and overall physical and mental wellbeing.
We often see mental health as a problem we can solve with a drug. However there are many reasons why someone suffers from mental health and perhaps it’s the root cause we need to tackle first. This can be anything from social isolation due to loss or other factors, to being not happy in yourself. Physical Activity can create opportunities to become more social active as well as feeling better about who you are.
Being more active does not mean playing 90min of elite football. It can be simply changing your lifestyle and behavioural habits. Walk to the shops, school or work. Do some gardening, cut the grass or even wash the car rather than paying someone to do it.
4. What advice do you have for people in sport/fitness who struggle with mental health issues?
Find something that really changes how you feel about a situation. The power of Physical Activity has a big positive impact on so many lives. Not just from a physical perspective but as above, the social engagement with others. You are not alone and there are qualified individuals in the fitness industry on hand to support you.
5. What advice do you wish you had been given before going through (or observing) the experiences you have?
Talk to someone. Especially as a male there is a stigmatism to be this macho individual and not talk or not show emotions. I am this person who doesn’t but luckily I have not suffered from a mental health struggle personally.
6. Do you have an extra message you wish you add?
Physical Activity is a tool that can affect a persons life in more than one ways. Not just physically but mentally too. Physical Activity can lower the risk of Long Term Conditions such as, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Osteoarthritis, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, Risk of falls, Depression, Anxiety and more.
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