Towards the end of last year I was so looking forward to a Break, to close the gym for two weeks, no day job for 10 days, life was going to be great. 2020 as we know was bloody tough on a lot of people, we had it better than others but the challenges were still there. Was I going to lose the Gym, would I still have a job, etc etc. For so many months we just never knew where it was going to head. So getting that break at the end of the year was my silver lining.
Well that's what I thought anyway. After being off work for probably two days my anxiety starting playing up again, the normal deal for myself, sweating, feeling uneasy, just not able to relax and chill a bit. I actually had no idea why, I was getting annoyed with myself, with the anxiety lol, cos that helps haha.
I couldn't work it out, no matter what I did I just couldn't get in the rhythm with myself.
Long story short, as soon as I re-opened the gym my life was back to normal. My anxiety was back under control, everything fell back into place. It wasn't until then that I realised, even though I was tired, probably a little run down, I need Jiu Jitsu and this gym in my life. It has never hit me like this before, I have read many articles about how good Jiu Jitsu is for Mental health, but I had never experienced that stark reality of realising what it was actually doing for me.
Our gym now has so many people involved in it from many walks of life. When I started this gym I knew exactly the environment I wanted to create, a place that treats everyone as equals, that provides a safe place to learn and train, and I think we are well on the way to that. I am super proud that we now have well in excess of 10 people training with us that have different forms of Autism, that we have many people who suffer different forms of Mental Health issues, and that we provide that place for everyone to feel equal and included.
I want to say to any of you guys that are suffering with any form of mental health issue, please always consider my ear open, you can count on me to listen and provide you support, You are not alone, and please never think that you are. In person, on the phone, text, messenger, snap, insta, whatever, hit me up.
Again thank you all for making Mildura Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Self Defence & Fitness what it is!
Cheers Luke