A personal trainer from Co Tyrone is preparing to take on a mammoth 101,000 steps challenge to highlight the mental health benefits of keeping active.
Ryan Morrow from Fivemiletown will take on the challenge on Saturday 19 November after seeing many people coming through the doors of his gym and seeing their mental health transformed by exercise.
The fitness fanatic said his own wife had been diagnosed with depression three years ago, which brought home the reality of living with mental health issues.
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“I’ve seen first hand the benefits of exercise and getting your steps in can have on people’s mental health,” Ryan said.
“Three years ago my wife was diagnosed with depression and when you have it in the house it gives you a real insight into it and the difficulties it brings.
“Since becoming a personal trainer I’ve had a lot of clients come in whose main reason for being there is for the mental health benefits it brings.
“The amount of people coming in for that reason alone is really eye-opening, it would shock you.”
Ryan is raising funds for Aware NI through this weekend’s challenge, which is going to take him most of the day.
“I’m doing the challenge around my house in Clabby and the gym in Fivemiletown, it’s going to be a long enough day and I’m expecting it to take about 16 hours.
“I’m raising money for Aware NI through the challenge as getting out and active walking has major benefits to both mental and physical health
“I’m hoping by doing this it spurs at least a few people to take a look at their activity and try to improve it.”
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