It WILL Pay Off: A Message for Those Struggling with Mental Illness, was a log post I wrote four years ago as I was battling depression, anxiety, insomnia, and OCD. Rather than edit my original post to reflect my current state of mind, I’m using this article as an update as I continue to evolve — a lot of things

Put on your helmet, fasten your breastplate tight, and with one arm supporting your shield, allow the other to gather your sword. Go to battle with your demons. Win the war every day. Every breath you have is a victory.

The merry month of May is Mental Health Month, which was started by Mental Health America in 1949. That means this year, 2019, marks the 70th anniversary of the first-ever Mental Health Month.

I’m going to focus on three variables and interactions that affect stress response in the athlete: life events, mental illness, and training.

Mental illness isn’t something you hear often in the strength world — but that’s not because it doesn’t exist.