It is tough to look back with a clear open mind to see from a different perspective. It is with a clear open mind that I was able to see I did it wrong — and it’s not just in terms of my powerlifting career, but my life as whole.

The things that gym owners and coaches love to do are destroying them. Find what you love to do without it taking too much of a toll on your health, both mental and physical. #BeThe1ToAsk others if they need help.

After 20 years of mistakes and heartbreaks, I’ve learned that we need to do better when it comes to mental health training for our student-athletes. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but we can start to do better by being more empathetic.

I have two monsters perched on my left shoulder, whispering what-ifs and morbid thoughts and suggestions into my ear. No matter what I do, they won’t go away. That’s the most difficult part of having a mental illness.

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’ve seen a lot of people call suicide “selfish.” I’m not saying I understand why people kill themselves, but when I’m the compassionate one who has to say maybe people should be a little more understanding, that should say something.

Everyone has a line. You may not know where it is and you may never reach it, but it’s there.

Every aspect of motivation we discussed in parts one, two, and three are evidence here, through their absence and again through their recovery.

I can only imagine from my personal experience with depression how athletes like Dave Mirra reach the point of tragedy.

From test vials to Vicodin bottles, a handful of powerlifting champions recount their sacrifices. Was it worth it?