Beating depression to a pulp
One man’s search to fight his own depression — literally.
By Sarah Atwood-Cotton
Mental health is a worldwide crisis, but it couldn’t get closer to home.
As a former death investigator for the state of Oklahoma, I can tell you I worked an average of one to four suicides on any given shift. Too often on these scenes I would read suicide notes that depicted the individual had “no options” or somehow “the healthcare system failed them.”
Resources or outlets that are free and available are scarce and many people only know of mental health treatments involving inpatient facilities and medication. But there are other ways to combat depression, including physical exertion, or, in some cases, literal combat.
Tim is using his Beat Depression Bus to travel the U.S. giving free MMA (mixed martial arts) lessons via his social media and in person. Until the end of July, he’ll be at Lake Hefner from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (yes, even on Tuesday when the temperature hit 112 degrees).
After being diagnosed with clinical depression, Tim found a punching bag which he refers to as “the sack.” The physical and mental release completely changed his mental state and outlook on life and so he built a dojo inside his home and kept the doors open to anyone wanting a lesson.
Next, Tim left his New Jersey home, traveling to Los Angeles to learn Muay Thai while living out of his vehicle before acquiring the bus. He started traveling the country equipped with a speed bag, a combat dummy named Bob, and the sack that started it all.
Tim features daily videos (more than 1,000 days in a row and counting) and in-person punching bag sessions. A portion of his donated proceeds go to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Follow Tim’s journey via social media at @sacklifeofficial or visit sacklifeofficial.com to donate.
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