We all train for more than just our physical health, mental health is a big part of it too. No one knows this better than Nick Wintle. Nick is a former military man that has used fitness, and in particular Strongman training to take him out of a dark place.

To find out more, we spoke to Nick about his journey and how the Strongman community has helped him with this mental health.

Hi Nick, can you tell us about your journey so far?

I decided to join the Grenadier Guards and throughout my time I did three tours of Afghanistan, two tours of Iraq and one tour of Bosnia. The tours of Afghanistan were mentally demanding due to trauma, people getting shot or blown up and civilian injuries.

When I returned home, I had a back injury and my mental health started to deteriorate during that period, so I planned my suicide for 6 months. I was doing an in-house rehab course for my back, and I knew if I did it there my family wouldn’t have to see the body. During this period, I stockpiled the medication and took it all. Fortunately for me, that night my wife said she had a funny feeling which is not like her. But because of that they found me, and a nurse saved my life.

How do you cope with your mental health?

After the attempted suicide, I was put into a mental health ward which was quite bad at first. I was so used to being around the military that when I was put in the NHS, I was upset about it, I felt like the military had cast me aside. From then I was discharged from the military for my mental health and was diagnosed with complex PTSD. Unlike many, I don’t have flashbacks, my problems occur at night-time because I can’t sleep and suffer from night terrors.

Luckily, now I’m in a good routine because I train pretty much every day. There’s always something to do, even if it’s just band work. I need to burn off extra energy because it helps me to get 4-5 hours of sleep. When I was left at home with a back injury my mental health deteriorated and I lost a lot of confidence, so with the Strongman training my confidence is starting to build back up.

What made you decide to start Strongman training?

I have always been quite strong, which is why I decided to try Strongman. I looked into it and started engaging with it, found a good gym and Tim, the owner who is a navy boy, took me on and taught me all of the events. When I was confident enough to participate in competitions I did it to highlight mental health, both in and out of the sport. We all do physical exercise for our mental health. I use my demons to get through my sessions and channel my anger into that instead of lashing out in other ways. I tried boxing for a bit, but I’ve got no rhythm.

Due to my back injury, I’m registered disabled. With Strongman, I’m not in the disabled category but competing with these massive athletes who are all six foot plus. I’m only 5’8, so I’m like a chihuahua compared to others. However, this doesn’t matter to me, I compete because I want to highlight mental health, not just for men but for everyone.

Has the Strongman community helped your mental health?

Strongman is such a bizarre sport, it isn’t like bodybuilding which can be quite competitive, but with Strongman everyone is egging each other on. It doesn’t matter if you’re first or last, you all support each other. The camaraderie is what I missed being in the army and I feel like I’m getting it back with Strongman, it’s brilliant.

Do you have any Strongman competition goals?

I would like to compete at a regional level. My age can be against me because I’m 36, but I believe it’s like chipping away at a tree. As long as I keep doing it, I’ll get better and stronger. As long as I don’t get injured then hopefully, I can compete at a regional level. I believe in about 18 months’ time, I will be at a decent level.

I set up my social media to highlight the mental health side of strength sports, fitness, and the military. It’s a big thing for me because I have been in that dark place, and I can sympathise with other people. I won't know their story or exactly how they feel, but I can sympathise. I’ve done the suicide attempt and the self-harm, it’s not where I want to be now. From the army, I feel like I’ve been cast away, but I’m finally getting over that now I’ve found the Strongman community.

How do people find help if they need it?

I’m always available to talk and if anyone ever engages with me I would always help them out as much as I could and point them in the direction of the Samaritans or if they’re in the military, Combat Stress. But if someone got hold of me on my Instagram page at 1am when I couldn’t sleep, I would certainly engage with them if they were in a dark place.

I think little by little we can all help each other. The world can be a nasty place sometimes, but if we all look after each other it can get a bit better.

If you want to know more about Nick’s journey, you can follow him on Instagram @big.fightyourdemons.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

Written by guest author Eryn Barber.

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Tags: Misc > Lifestyle