Why I Ride

 

WHY I RIDE – ADAM C. 

Two years ago, due to Type 2 diabetes and obesity, I was in a serious low spot, with depression and anxiety at an all time high, and clocking in at over 400 pounds, I couldn’t walk or exercise for more than 15 minutes at a time before nerve pain become unbearable, and so I did the only thing I could do. I started slow. What I learned early on was that my journey wasn’t just physical. It was emotional and mental as well, and along the journey I began to realize that movement of any kind can act as such a powerful healing tool. Last year I travelled over 1500 km’s on my bike from May to November to prove to myself that I could do it. This year for our community, I’m taking on the CMHA Ride Don’t Hide event with a 100 km goal over the course of June, and my sights set on 2,021 km’s completed by the end of November. I want people to know that wherever you currently are in your journey, is the perfect place to start investing in where you want to be, sometimes getting started really is the hardest part.

 

 

 

 

 

WHY I RIDE – MILISSA W. 

Hi!!!! 👋

My name's Milissa and I'm from Leamington, Ontario. 🙂 I've had the pleasure of working at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch for more than thirteen years. I am a proud supporter of mental health and a participant in Ride Don't Hide since 2016🙌 

Here are a few of the many reasons Why I Ride:🚴‍♂️

To raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. 💕

Because mental health is important and affects us ALL.  🤗

For the mental and physical benefits. 🧠🤟

Because I believe in the work I do and the people I serve. 🤩

For the social benefits and the laughter along the way. 😄😂

To challenge myself to reach goals I never felt were achievable. 👊

For my family, friends and anyone who has a mental illness. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👦‍👦👨‍👨‍👦‍👦👩‍👧👨‍👧‍👦

To honor my brother who suicided in 2020. 💔👤

For others who have lost someone to suicide. 😢💔

To honor everyone who is trying to better their mental well-being and get up to face another day. 🧠💪

Lastly, to sit back and enjoy the ride🚴‍♂️.........cause it's good for mental health too 😉

Cheers and I hope to see you out this June too!🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️😀

 

WHY I RIDE – STEVE F.

I think most people intuitively understand that there’s a fundamental connection between physical health and mental health.

The problem, I believe, for most people - myself included - is that when we get anxious, down or depressed, we tend to forget about that connection. Getting motivated to get up and exercise, or just go for a walk, becomes a colossal burden, so we don’t do it. And when we let that part of our lives lapse, the mental health issues seem to worsen.

During the current pandemic, this has never been more true. There are so many circumstances occurring around us to increase our anxieties, and it’s easy to become caught up in that downward spiral.

So, I ride, not just for my own mental health, but to support the initiatives of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Among all of the programs they offer to help those who are struggling with mental health issues, they do a tremendous job of reminding people about that critical connection between physical health and mental health.

During the Ride Don’t Hide initiative, I do my best to provide updates on my progress towards achieving my goal via social media. It’s my little way of hopefully encouraging and motivating other people to get active and take the necessary steps to support their own mental health by staying physically active.

The bottom line is that I just feel so much better about myself when I’m active, so by supporting the CMHA-WECB and by trying to be a good example, I’m just hoping that others will feel that too.

Cheers,

Steve