[tippitippi]

My depression level on a day to day basis seems to change dramatically depending on how I feel about my value towards others.

Background: I'm trying to start a fitness training business. Technically I've been doing it for a long time but not consistently due to the effects of depression on my general functioning. Anyway I know what I'm doing with fitness training and I'm good at it I think but when no one wants me I feel like maybe I'm an idiot at it. The external truth is probably different but my emotions overwhelm me. I'm at a serious financial breaking point and I need to work through this.

Lately I've been more open about my struggles and I've noticed that most of my clients suffer from depression and anxiety to some extent and that's why they hire me in particular ( I don't work in a large gym). I feel like this is good for me. I feel like maybe I would actually be helpful and feel helpful in the world.

I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts about this. I wish I could do it for free so I wouldn't have to worry about feeling guilty. I won't do that (I've done it in the past-bad idea), but maybe I could do some online training/advising / listening for free? This isn't healthcare so there isn't the same kind of risk / regulation involved although I am very cautious about things. In the realm of personal trainers I'm very low key. I guess I'm talking about an informal advice situation or even " I'm here to listen and let you check in with how you are caring for yourself." Like when you get a fitness tracker app or a meal planning app and it mostly is there as a place to be held accountable or get very general guidance.

Anyway just wondering because I spend a lot of time on these forums and I want to be normal. Which to me means socially responsible and not just making small talk. With depression it doesn't help so much. I need action.

Thanks for listening

[Fuzzybear]

[*Laurie*]

Hi, I'm not absolutely sure I understand what you're asking. I have two thoughts right off...hope I'm in the ballpark. First off, guilt can be a symptom of depression and often is.

Secondly, have you thought about volunteering to, in some way, help others?

[mountainstream]

[Skeezyks]

Hello tippitippi: I probably don't really have any useful suggestions for you with regard to this. I do know there have been, probably still are, a number of YouTubers who have done this sort of thing to one extent or another. (I don't know how familiar you are with YouTube of course.)

One YouTuber who doesn't offer to work directly with individuals but who has struggled with depression & is a weightlifter is "BignoKnow" (Noah):

https://www.youtube.com/user/bignoknow

Another YouTuber who I recall did actually try to start something similar to what you're thinking about is idranktheseawater (Melissa... I believe...):

https://www.youtube.com/user/idranktheseawater/videos

I don't know if she's still doing anything like that. But I know she's still active on YouTube.

Yet a third YouTuber who actually I believe has, or at least has had, something of a practice he refers to as a "depression counselor" is Douglas Bloch:

https://www.youtube.com/user/healingdepression

And then, of course, in a professional therapist vein, there's Kati Morton whom you're probably already familiar with:

https://www.youtube.com/user/KatiMorton

I don't know if any of this will be of any use to you as you contemplate your options. But they are what I thought of as I read your post.

[tippitippi]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Hi, I'm not absolutely sure I understand what you're asking. I have two thoughts right off...hope I'm in the ballpark. First off, guilt can be a symptom of depression and often is.

Secondly, have you thought about volunteering to, in some way, help others?

I think I'm talking about volunteering yes. Not sure how to do it as a trainer

But you're right about the guilt