by Tony Gjokaj March 02, 2022 3 min read

You can watch this video on this conversation before reading the post!

Who hasn’t thought of wishing they were dead?

Some of us more so than others.

I used to contemplate suicide regularly.

I felt like I had nothing in my life to work towards.

I felt hopeless.

However, this spark of desire for more was there. I was too hard-headed to quit on myself. I knew there was an opposite to the pain I was feeling.

I knew there was SOMETHING out there for me.

So I decided to actively search for it.

I started to search for SOMETHING to work towards.

It did not matter what it was, it just needed to be SOMETHING.

And that SOMETHING was one of the things I had some control over —  my body.

This is where my life changed dramatically.

An active lifestyle was a foundational part of my journey in taking back my mental health.

It helped me fight against my depression, anxiety, and my suicidal thoughts.

Today, I use it as a preventative to manage stressors in my life: I never want to go back to who I was in the past.

Activity Brings About Meaning.

In this world today, we are more sedentary than ever before. According to a study done in 2018, over 44% of adults reported no moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Physical inactivity is not only correlated to physical health problems, but also mental health problems as well, like poor resilience to stress, depression, and anxiety.

And there is a correlation between sedentary behavior, mental health, and suicide risk.

In a world less sedentary than our ancestors, physical activity is more of a chore than a necessity.

In a country like the United States, many of us no longer have to move physically to survive or earn a living.
This is why it is so much more crucial today to get active.

The importance of physical activity goes beyond physical health.

A more active lifestyle is, in my opinion, an honorable or respectable goal for yourself in a multi-faceted way.

Many will look at exercise as vain… and some people pursue it SPECIFICALLY for vanity purposes.

But that’s such a one-dimensional look at improving your health.

I look at the pursuit of exercise as a ritual oradventureyou can embark on.

And this type of adventure is life-altering.

Pursuing physical goals that not only transform your body but your mental and spiritual self… that’s something life-altering.

It challenges you with goals you may find are worth fighting for.

Something like squatting or deadlifting hundreds of pounds.

Something like hitting a six-minute mile.

Something like mastering your discipline of Martial Arts.

These are honorable goals for yourself because they not only improve you physically, but they bring some meaning in the struggles we all live in today.

I talked about exercise and meaning in one of my more popular reads.

To some, this may sound like a stretch.

But for those who feel hopeless, who feel like there’s nothing for them: living a more active lifestyle is SOMETHING worth pursuing.

And it will evolve into something greater.

To my younger readers who struggle to build an identity… or struggle to find meaning in their life, exercise is such an honorable pursuit for yourself.

It saved me from taking my life.

As a result, my life has changed for the better.

All because exercise gave me hope in a world where I thought there was nothing for me.

And that hope was the catalyst I needed to change the trajectory of my entire life.

Aim at one thing to work towards.
That thing will continue to transform with time.

Where I started with exercise is not where I am now.

My preferences are different, but I never would’ve gotten here without starting small and building up.

Remember: exercise is a venture worth pursuing for the entirety of your being.

Please just do it, even if it’s 5 minutes every day.

It can potentially save you.

Until next time!


PS: If you need an extra kick in the ass on your fitness and mental health journey, you can grab our 3 Hacks That Boost Mood Fitness Startup Guide. You can get it by signing up to our mental health email list here!

Check Out Our Fitness For Mental Health YouTube Channel!

Exercise For Depression Discord Accountability Group

Tony Gjokaj
Tony Gjokaj

Tony is the Owner of Reforged. He is a PN1 Certified Nutrition Coach and has been in the fitness space for over a decade. His goal is to help millions exercise their way out of depression and anxiety.



Also in LIFT Your Mood

5 Ways To Make Exercise Meaningful To You
5 Ways To Make Exercise Meaningful To You

by Tony Gjokaj April 25, 2023 3 min read

Exercise can feel like a chore, and even if you know it’s good for your health, the motivation to get moving sometimes just isn’t there.

But it doesn’t have to be a burden - by making exercise meaningful to you, it can become something fun and rewarding!

Here are five ways to make exercise more meaningful!

Read More
5 Best Weight Loss Tips For Overweight Men: Why You Should Lose Weight
5 Best Weight Loss Tips For Overweight Men: Why You Should Lose Weight

by Tony Gjokaj October 07, 2022 4 min read

Men, I know what it is like to be overweight and depressed.

Not having the energy to do anything but relax and sleep.

While relaxation and sleep are incredibly important, they can make us feel like we are not making progress in our lives.

And when depression hits, it’s very difficult to push through with exercise and weight loss.

But did you know that even though it takes time and some effort, you don’t need to get obsessively crazy over it?

In fact, with just a few small adjustments, you can lose weight, fight back against depression, and take your life back.

If you're serious about shedding pounds and pushing away those depression demons, here are five tips that can help get you started. 

Read More
5 Fast Food Hacks For Healthier Eating In 2022
5 Fast Food Hacks For Healthier Eating In 2022

by Tony Gjokaj September 05, 2022 4 min read

A few weeks ago, my buddy Grant and I talked about nutrition.

We talked about how he's lost over 120 pounds so far with the weight loss progress he's been making.

This is all because he has been making healthier decisions over time.

One of the newest challenges he's facing right now is he's got a new job. He's working 10 to 12 hour days with physical demanding labor.

And what's been happening for him is that he's been super exhausted, he's not motivated to meal prep, he's having trouble trying to sit down and cook foods doesn't have the energy doesn't have the time.

So what I propose is five tips that you can use to live a more on the go fast food healthy eating lifestyle.

Read More