It's OK to not be OK - Your Mental Health Matters | Chicago Calling Ep1

Shona I think it's amazing that you shared this - so brave of you. I come from a family where my dad took his own life when I was 6, and my brother when I was 29. My mum is bi-polar. One of the main reasons I run is because it helps me cope with all the "baggage" that I have and keeps me on an even keel. Although I've been really fortunate and never really suffered with depression, I do have a big old cupboard full of skeletons from my childhood etc and have had many years of therapy, and running really is the thing that helps me stay sane. Claire Pearson-Cowell xx

Thanks for trusting us with your journey, and being so brave Shona!

Thank you so much for this video. I think there are so many people (myself included) for whom running is one ingredient in the prescription for treatment of mental health. I have been there too, but never spoken about it so you’re much stronger than me! I know you’ll do well in Chicago xxx

I know this was not easy, but perhaps it helps to know how much you’ve helped others with this video. I joined Coach Parry because of this video. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Shona: I am moved and touched by your courage in sharing your heart and your experience so authentically and powerfully. Your deep commitment to serving others continues to make a difference in so many ways. Kudos also to Brad for his skill and sensitivity in guiding you through the conversation, and also for taking us along on his own journey to overcome tough challenges. I'm very proud to be a Coach Parry lifer.

Thank you so much for sharing, Shona. You’re an inspiration to so many, myself included. Depression is very insidious - a master at getting us to believe the lie that we are alone and inconsequential. Thank you for being so brave! ❤️

Big respect for you Shona. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety for 8 years now. I've been hospitalised a few times, it's never easy checking in but the break is sometimes the best thing you can do.

Thanks Shona for sharing your story. You are very brave and continue fighting. I've had my own mental health experiences and have experienced tremendous healing. Running is one of my therapies. I'm running Chicago in 2022 as well! My big goal is to run it in under 5 hours! I will continue to follow your journey.

Shona - I'm sure that was/is very difficult for you to discuss openly, but your conversations may be just what is needed to help break the stigma associated with mental health and well being. Kudos to you and continue health and strength! On a side note - I JUST got back from running in Chicago yesterday! We live just a few hours away on the other side of Lake Michigan and get there often. I'd love it if you and the Coach Parry team would consider allowing me to be your "local" ambassador. If there are other Coach Parry subscribers in Chicago, I'm sure they'd be even better, but it would be my honor if I could help you in any way. YOU helped ME run my very first marathon this past fall by guiding me in my strength classes and answering all of my annoying questions in the forum, so if there's any way I could help YOU, I'd consider it an honor. I am a Coach Parry subscriber, so perhaps we could chat more there. Cheers - Dan Frank

WOW Shona, I can SO identify with all you've said and in many ways you and I are similar. I have also suffered from depression for years and it's scary when you go down that black hole that feels like you'll never come out. I seriously contemplated suicide this year as well and it is only running that helped me beyond this point. Your sharing is amazing and WILL help many others for sure. Only listening now as I am fairly new to this program. Thans again

Shona, I have been where you were and I received some of the same treatment you have had and I thank God everyday for trusting the science and the process. Thank you so much for sharing this. I know it might have been a little difficult to share, maybe, but many people need to hear this. People who seemingly have the best life are struggling, but knowing that there is help with therapy and medication if needed, they can make it through.

Thanks for sharing something so personal. 2 years later and your message is still helping others know that they are not alone. You are courages!

Thank you Shona! There are so many resemblances there, that it sounded like my story.

Wow! Thank you so much for being brave enough to share your story Shona. You are a true inspiration! So looking forward to hearing about your journey to Chicago.

Thank you Shona for showing bravery when you could have hidden, for being forthright when you could have denied, for being honest when you could have blamed others and for being strong when you could have accepted defeat. Thank you to all the running community in the comments section. We compete with each with all that we have but support one another in times of crisis and share together the moments of joy. See you all when we next meet at the starting line.

Thank you soooo much for sharing this Shona!!! I've been there and to hear the same thing come from someone who admittedly has a great life was really affirming. I have a semi-colon tatoo on my arm that I can see while running to remind myself how far I've come. If you've never heard of project semi-colon, I highly encourage you to check out. Looking forward to hearing about Chicago!

I, too, thank you for sharing, Shona. I, too, battled depression to the point of suicide ideation in my mid- to late-30s. I knew when I couldn't get myself up to go running, something that always brought me joy, that I needed help. I also had to divest myself of the thought that medication was for "weak people." I also went to therapy. Running is my escape from the stressors of my days - and very happy to have someone like you guide my marathon training. Excited to follow your journey to Chicago (I ran it in 2006)!

This is such an important topic and I applaud you Shona for being so brave as to allow us to hear your very personal story and struggle. I think one of the most important things we have to learn in life is to recognize the things we do not have control over and seek thoughtful advice and support through them. The pandemic has underscored this for so many of us; we are out of control, our world seems permanently changed and we have to adapt to an often scary situation. I have also found a great deal of comfort in listening to colleagues from around the world describe what they are going through in their countries and how they are coping in order to get a more nuanced view of what to expect from the pandemic. (I am speaking as a physician now). But as an athlete (and I do consider myself one) I decided at the very beginning that I was going to stick with certain routines so as not to allow any chronic conditions to lead me to being more exposed to illness and death (in my role as a physician I have cared for many patients with COVID who were near death). I continued my strength training and yoga routines for dressage riding, I kept up my riding as much as possible as it was mostly outdoors, I bought a stationary bike and in the depth of winter not only rode that as much as possible but also joined many virtual "races" of 700+ miles I could log my riding miles on. Last spring I joined Coach Parry as a post menopausal woman and no, I cannot follow the routines laid out for me due to very long work hours, but I do as much as I can and I don't beat myself up about it. I have adjusted my diet to be more of a plant and lean meat Keto type diet (eliminating breads and simple carbs as much as possible) and have found new energy I didn't know I still had! I use herbal teas to help me sleep (tumeric is a life saver!!) and I play music. We have to continue to engage in the things that bring us simple joys, the things we have some meager control over. I see myself as a runner even when I don't run; I LOVE the idea of running and just going out and conquering distance as the most soul healing activity but I know I can't really do it the same as when I was 21 and fit. Having said all that: Chicago was my best marathon ever. It is essentially flat so many runners come to get their PR's here (I did, and it was slow but it was sub 5 hours so a win for me!). It is beautiful and amazing and I know you will love it. Fantastic goal for 2022 (my Chicago was in 2003!!) Keep up your amazing work. You have given me inspiration to keep trying even for a few more miles.

Thanks so much for sharing Shona! Hugely valuable message here and big love to you for being so courageous. It takes a lot to keep a strong woman down, well done you!

Thank you, Shona, for being so brave! You are needed by so many people to help them with their fitness goals - myself included! I value what you say and trust that you know how important you are to so many of us! Bless you!