Adam’s Story

How exercise changed my life…. 

I had always been sporty as a child, dabbling in many until I was about 15 but after that I stopped everything. When I was 16 I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and after attending counselling for some time it was suggested I do some exercise. I started small doing some stuff at home just some basic bodyweight workouts and from then on I was hooked. Exercise started to become part of my daily routine and really helped me with my mood and as a coping strategy to get through the days.  It was soon after that I was introduced to the gym by my dad, although he knew nothing about exercise or fitness we would go regularly. Despite being extremely anxious my dad managed to make me comfortable enough that I could go with him, after some time I started learning and reading more about fitness. By the time I was 17 I was able to go to the gym on my own and started going more regularly, which was a massive progression for me.

The gym had become my safe space, where I could be myself and channel my challenging emotions into something productive that helped me work towards goals. Starting to build my confidence up slowly, I decided to do something out of character and change my plans. In college last minute I decided to change my university course from social care to exercise science to pursue my goal of being a personal trainer. In my third year of university I had my last counselling session and subsequently graduated from university and qualified as a personal trainer. Although I had many wobbles along the way I now work as an online and in person coach both for powerlifting and personal training.

Despite always having problems with my mental health, exercise always helped me to progress and improve myself. Without exercise I wouldn’t have the career or the mental health I have today. I owe a lot to exercise and how it’s shaped and changed me physically and mentally into the kind of person I wanted to be.