A couple of weeks ago I went to watch Every Brilliant Thing. One woman, one spotlight, and one hell of a message. It starred Minnie Driver (yes, Good Will Hunting Minnie Driver) and to be honest had you on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster, one minute laughing, the next checking above you as your cheeks are wet and you think there is a leak.

The premise? A child begins making a list of every brilliant thing in the world — small, joyful things — to help their mum see the point of living when she’s struggling with depression. And over the course of an hour or so, that list becomes a lifeline, a map of hope in the fog of despair.

It’s not a play about fixing people. It’s a play about holding on. And that… hit right in the feels.

Especially now. Especially when the world’s on fire and we’re all running around trying to hold it together with gym classes, oat lattes, and memes about self-care.

Because mental health isn’t just a hashtag. It’s messy. It’s real. It lives under the skin. And sometimes, we need a reminder to just keep going — not because life is suddenly perfect, but because somewhere in the chaos there’s still something worth staying for.

CALM’s Movement – Stay

That message ties in with something I’ve been watching unfold recently — CALM’s (Campaign Against Living Miserably) ongoing campaign: “Stay.”

It’s not about sugar-coating pain or pretending everything’s fine.

It’s about staying for:

• Your dog wagging its tail like you’re the one thing in the world that means something.
• That post-workout high when it finally feels like something has clicked.
• Sunday roast with your family.
• A gig where the band plays that song and you dance like no one is watching.
• Your next beach holiday with crisps and beer on the sand.
• The movie you’ve been waiting for ages comes out and doesn’t disappoint.
• The feeling of being seen, heard, and cheered on — even on a shit day.

It’s the little things that add up. Not everything, but the brilliant ones. The moments that pull you back from the edge, however close you’ve been to it.

And trust me, I’ve been there.

My Mental Health Story — Buried on the Fox Den Website

I’ve spoken about my own mental health before. It’s on the Fox Den site — buried a bit deep because, let’s be honest, writing it was tough and I wrote about it a long time ago. But it’s there. Because we need to normalise talking about this stuff.

No “just think positive” bullshit. No pretending it’s all fixed with a cold plunge (I mean really!) or another 5K. Just raw honesty. The kind where you admit some days feel heavy as hell, and others are full of hope and kit kats.

Running the Den isn’t just about lifting weights or smashing races. It’s about building people up. It’s about creating a space where you can come in carrying the weight of the world — and leave feeling a bit lighter.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is just show up.

The Fox Den Way – Why We Stay

We’ve seen it here.

We’ve had members walk through the doors when life’s falling apart. When grief is fresh. When anxiety’s screaming. When depression makes everything grey.

And they’ve moved. They’ve lifted. They’ve laughed. They’ve cried. They’ve connected.

This place isn’t just about fat loss and fitness. It’s about community. It’s about having someone nod and say “I see you,” without judgment.

Members pushing limits not for Instagram clout, but because movement helps them stay grounded. That’s what we’re about.

So, here’s what I want you to take from all this:

• If you’re struggling, stay for something. Find your list.
• If you feel like you’re not doing enough, showing up is enough.
• If your head’s a war zone, move your body, speak your truth, and lean on your people.

And if you’re someone who hasn’t felt like yourself for a while, talk to someone. We’re not therapists. But we’re damn good at listening between reps and reminding you how strong you really are.

The world’s a mess. But maybe, just maybe, we get through it by noticing some brilliant things — and helping each other stay for them.