Donard McNally was left hospitalised back in 2019 after falling into stress-induced psychosis
A Belfast boxing coach is hoping to help others after bouncing back from a mental health breakdown five years ago.
"I wanted everything right for the baby. And something like that can be unpredictable. I was overthinking things as well. Becoming a parent for the first time, work pressures, finances. General stuff that was impacting my life at the time." "My medication also changed which didn't seem to work. So I ended up going back to the hospital for another three weeks."
Donard recently shared his story on social media, after hosting his first-ever boxing coaching workshop at his own gym facility, The Unit Fitness and Performance situated at Kennedy Way in West Belfast. "They wanted that wee bit more experience and guidance, so they signed up to the workshop. I had about 16 coaches come along on the day. It was a one-day event, a three-hour workshop where we talked about the fundamentals of boxing. We also talked about ways to progress as a one-to-one coach.As well as running his own business and working as a coach at Holy Trinity Boxing Club, Donard hopes he can use his own life experiences to help others in need.
"And when they get that, then they can look at other coping mechanisms. When I was unwell, I had to meet up with a psychiatrist and psychologists. I have a support worker who still calls out once a month to check in with me and have a conversation. And it is important. "When I went through it, sometimes you are talking to professionals who have not lived the experience. I have lived the experience. So I believe I could offer a lot.People can relate to that. I can be empathetic and relatable, and I understand what people are going through."
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