ANTONIS' STORY: ''GOING TO THE GYM HAS HELPED ME SURVIVE FROM DEPRESSION BUT ALSO BECOME STRONGER''

At Athlos gym we care about our members personally. We encourage them to work hard and love their self. We help them to focus and stay motivated. This month we interview Antonis Marangu who had depression problems as his father had serious health problems. As a result of exercising, he has gained self-confidence not only in but also out of the gym. But his most important achievement was the fact that he overcame depression through training and fitness.

THE INTERVIEW:

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Antonis Marangu and I’m 24 years old. I'm currently studying architecture at TEPAK and I have joined Athlos Gym around a year ago. After my dad got really sick I suffered from depression which was a really but phase in my life. You know, not wanting to talk to anyone, feeling sad all the time which was damaging my health. After a lot of supporting from my mother she pursued me to join the gym to start improving my condition and health.

So, when did you decide it was time for you to work on improving yourself?

It was a hard time for me. It was a time when I was thinking that there is no way out. My father had diagnosed with a serious health problem. Back then I spent so much time hating myself. Because I couldn’t help him in any way. I love my father and he is my hero and my best friend. Thus, I thought that it was a good turning point for me to change the way I was thinking and do something to escape from that hard-daily routine. I wanted to find a way to express my feelings without talking about my problems. After a lot of encouragement from my mother she convinced me to go to a gym and that it will be good for my condition. That was the time I found out about Athlos gym. It is near my house so I wouldn’t be far from my father in case he needed anything.

We are glad that you were able to channel that feeling and turn it into something so positive! What was your exercise routine and diet like before?

I played a variety of different sports games at school. My favourite was football. But when my father diagnosed with health problems, I dropped them all. I gave up on everything. I just wanted to be next to him and helping him and taking care of him. Ans after he died, I wasn't eating as much as I used to eat before. I have stopped caring about university, I wasn't studying, I was sleeping all day doing nothing about myself.

Everyone needs a fresh start when things don’t go well. How joining a gym assisted you in improving your overall health mentally and physically?

After about a week in the gym, one of the Personal Trainers, Konstantinos Konstantinou, at Athlos Gym approached me if I need any help and asking me if I want a personalised exercise program depending on my previous experience at a gym. He approached me with a very friendly manner having as a consequence to open up with him and telling him about what I was going through. I started doing weekly sessions with him and followed the training programme he put together for me. Not only he stood by me improving my fitness levels, but also he was there as a friend. He was very sympathetic and supportive; the gym was no longer a place that was frightening me. Athlos Gym now is like a second home for me. There I am able to completely forget my day to day problems and be stress-free as everyone is so supportive.

That’s awesome! I’m glad we were able to be so supportive to you on your journey. One last thing to ask you Antonis. Do you have any tips or anything else you want to share with people from your journey?

For the first time I talked with Konstantinos, he made me think differently and he played the most important role in this hard journey I had to face. I always had standard throughs in my mind.

Be realistic, set small goals, succeed them and then set new ones.

Take your training as a lifestyle and not as another activity in your busy day.

If you are facing any difficult problem in your life and you need to do something to escape. Go to the gym and develop yourself. Athlos Gym offers great facilities and great trainers but really any gym will do! Going to the gym has helped me survive from depression but also become stronger! INVEST IN YOURSELF! You will never regret it, man.

Use your training as a psychologist meeting. You will pay less, and you will gain more. TRUST me! The only thing you need to do is to believe in yourself!