JOSH TILLSON
At the beginning of February 2016, Josh Tillson lost his step father to suicide. It was an extremely difficult period in his life, where he struggled with his own emotions and had a tough time facing his situation at home. In the months falling this traumatic event, Josh suffered with his own depression and had an extremely difficult time expressing the way he was feeling to counsellors and social workers. He was very fortunate to have had the passion of running to turn to. Josh found running to be an escape from the world he was living in; a safe place to unleash his buried emotions. After going for a run he would feel much better, and even more open to talking about the way he's feeling and the emotions he'd burdened himself with. During this period of time in his life he also realized how limited programs there are offered to youth suffering with the same experiences and emotions he was. Since this realization, he's been determined to help youth such as himself and that has led him to joining with Lauren-Ashleigh Beaudry to create the Unbreakable Spring Open, an event to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and raise money towards a program that will be offered to youth who suffer in the same dark places Josh did.
Brent Walker
Everyone knows what it’s like to feel mentally tired and sluggish. The feeling makes a normal everyday task feel like a chore and a bother. Fortunately, a scientifically proven way people can combat this feeling is through exercise. A prime example of someone who has experienced both the physical and mental benefits of exercise is avid Sudbury runner, Brent Walker.
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In 2001, at age 36, Brent Walker became a runner. Although being someone who was strong and able to lift a lot of weight, he was unable to run a mile. That realization was an eye-opening experience for Brent, as it became important to him to become more active. Shortly after that, he joined the Sudbury Rocks!! Running Club and began running regularly. While enjoying his new-found love of running, Brent suffered an ankle injury from an over-increase in mileage. The injury was frustrating to Brent, knowing that he had made significant improvements with his running and appreciated the physical and physiological feeling it provided. In the meantime, it remained a priority of his to stay active and did so by doing non-impact activities, such as water jogging in a pool and cycling. After a couple of years, Brent was slowly able to return to the sport. He came back as a more knowledgeable runner and added smaller increments into his training plan in order for his body to adjust to the new regime. Since his return, Brent runs frequently, often six days a week with Sunday being his off-day. He has also competed in several half-marathons and marathons, including The Boston Marathon.
Aside from the physical health improvements, Brent says running and exercise have been great for his mental health.
“I find running not only allows me to stay in good physical shape but better mental shape. I find if I don’t get my normal physical activity in, I’m not as mentally sharp, my mood is different and I find I’m less attentive in the afternoon because I run over the lunch hour. It allows me to go back to work and be more energized and more productive, while making me a friendlier person,” says Brent.
When referring to the public, it is no surprise that Brent encourages exercise.
“You will have more self confidence in your day-to-day living -- you’ll feel good about what your doing for yourself. I see it as a win-win for yourself physically and mentally.”
Aside from the physical health improvements, Brent says running and exercise have been great for his mental health.
“I find running not only allows me to stay in good physical shape but better mental shape. I find if I don’t get my normal physical activity in, I’m not as mentally sharp, my mood is different and I find I’m less attentive in the afternoon because I run over the lunch hour. It allows me to go back to work and be more energized and more productive, while making me a friendlier person,” says Brent.
When referring to the public, it is no surprise that Brent encourages exercise.
“You will have more self confidence in your day-to-day living -- you’ll feel good about what your doing for yourself. I see it as a win-win for yourself physically and mentally.”
Vince perdue
When we asked how exercise how running and physical activity has affected him both physically and mentally, Vince wrote in with the following:
“I think running has definitely given me much more confidence in dealing with what life has placed in front of me. The mental and physical fortitude required to maintain distance running translates well to meeting daily challenges with renewed vigour. I believe running and exercise overall will allow one to learn to push themselves in ways not so available to those who are less than active. Simple things like an adrenalin rush or the second wind that runners achieve are at least temporary respites from the daily grind of life. Running and exercise has changed my social life dramatically. Over time most of my very good friends and contacts have become those who are into physically and mentally challenging themselves. That happened slowly but one day I realized almost all my friends are healthy and have positive outlooks on life. It's absolutely rewarding to be around people like these as goodness is absorbed whether you know it or not. Finally, although I am now one of the slowest athletes around I find I am defined by that lifestyle.
“I think running has definitely given me much more confidence in dealing with what life has placed in front of me. The mental and physical fortitude required to maintain distance running translates well to meeting daily challenges with renewed vigour. I believe running and exercise overall will allow one to learn to push themselves in ways not so available to those who are less than active. Simple things like an adrenalin rush or the second wind that runners achieve are at least temporary respites from the daily grind of life. Running and exercise has changed my social life dramatically. Over time most of my very good friends and contacts have become those who are into physically and mentally challenging themselves. That happened slowly but one day I realized almost all my friends are healthy and have positive outlooks on life. It's absolutely rewarding to be around people like these as goodness is absorbed whether you know it or not. Finally, although I am now one of the slowest athletes around I find I am defined by that lifestyle.
It has rewarded me in so many ways, through feeling mentally and physically stronger, through awesome contacts I have made and through many deeds within the community I have been a part of. I have always loved running and am truly grateful to be able to continue doing what I love into my senior years.”
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