F3 Mental Battle: #NoOYO

Preamble:

18 men – nearly a new record for Galaxy – came together to put a spotlight on something many men, including YHC, battle with every day of their lives.  Leaving the 6 behind isn’t in our DNA, but in the mental health battle, it becomes infinitely more important that we #shieldlock our brother PAX.  We not only stand beside them, but help carry them through. The darkness many face is too much to battle alone….

The mission of F3 is to invigorate male leadership.  The World tells men they aren’t supposed to speak about their mental health problems.  But F3 isn’t interested in doing what the world tells us.  So today, we’re going to talk about it. Because the cost of ignoring it is too high.

Today’s workout includes seemingly random sounding numbers and sets. However, pay attention because every single number means something.

Warm-O-Rama:

Mosey to the lower stage.  15 SSH, 10 CP, 10 Hillbillies, 10 Toy Soldiers.

The Thang:

Round 1:

• 9 – burpees
• 33 – squats
• 25 – WW2 Situps
• 65 – Flutter kicks

Icky Shuffle on the ladders for the 6

• 9% of men in the United States have daily feelings of depression or anxiety.
• 33% of those men mentioned above take medication because of those feelings.
• Only 25% of those men actually spoke to a mental health professional in regard to their feelings.
• White men aged 65 and above have the highest rate of suicide in the United States

Round 2:

• 17 – jumping Knee tucks
• 43 – American hammers
• 25 – Merkins
• 20 – burpees

Rinse and Repeat for 3 total sets of Round 2.  Ladders (In-Outs) until the 6.  Why?

• 17% have a common mental disorder, e.g. depression, anxiety, phobias, etc.
• 43% of adults believe they have had a mental disorder at some point in life.
• 25% of people with eating disorders are men.
• 20% of people will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.

Rinse & repeat 3 times because men are 3x more likely than women to commit suicide.

• 20 – Diamond merkins
• 75 – LBCs
• 32 – Jump Squat
• 36 – Burpees

Rinsed and Repeated  Slalom on the Ladder to the 6.  Why?

• 20 Veterans commit suicide dail
• 75% of deaths by suicide are mal
• 32% of Americans have anxiety disorder
• 36% of all psychological referrals are for men.

Some final stats to consider: In the US, 7% of adults have major depression, 17% have depression, 13% of youths aged 12-17 have major depression which equals 3.1 million.  6% of people have PTSD or 12 million.

COT:

Ok, YHC got WAY too preach-y about his own struggles with anxiety, but hopefully the main point got through:  you are never On Your Own.  #nooyo

Many men in today’s society face dark and debilitating mental battles, yet society tells us reaching out to a health professional is a “weakness”.  Mental Health battles can overcome even the strongest of men.  A true #HIM strives lead fearlessly.  This means men of F3 are not afraid talk about it, are not hesitant to reach out, and do not think they are weak because they ask for help. The cost of losing the battle is too high. Surround yourself with men who are strong enough to hold the line beside you, and encourage you to ask for help when you need it. Society has stigmatized mental health in males it to a point many men are unwilling to ask for help or talk about it. Don’t be that #SadClown.  Don’t hide in the darkness with your own thoughts and anxieties. Show your true strength.  Never be afraid to talk about anxiety, addiction, depression or other mental battles, and if you need help, seek out a mental health professional.

Naked-Man Moleskin:

As I shared this morning, my anxiety robbed me of 3 jobs in a row, and in return gave me both eating and alcohol problems.  I truly believe F3 can change men’s lives…but only if we hold ourselves accountable to be leaders.  That means being strong enough to talk about our mental health problems. If we fail at this, we’ve failed all of our brothers who needed to hear it. So please remember, for today and forever: You are not on your own #NoOYO