Hi! I’m Jason. I live in Perth, Australia with my beautiful wife and two children. I’m the brains (possibly brawn?) behind Mood & Muscle.
The idea was born out of my own journey and battles with both mental and physical health, and the eventual realisation of how closely linked the two really are. I, like many men have struggled with depression for most of my adult life, but only came to realise how much of an issue it was when it all became too much. You see, in October 2022 my world fell apart. But not in the way that most peoples do, there was no massive traumatic event or loss. Everything simply became too much. I broke down and didn’t want to be around anymore. I couldn’t shake the feeling that fundamentally I was a failure and that would never change. I’ll never forget the feeling of not being able to look at my 10 month old son because I was overwhelmed with shame and fear. He didn’t deserve a dad like me, he deserved so much more.
I was lucky when this occurred that I had my wife and family to support me and keep me safe, otherwise I don’t know if I would be here now.
When this happened I went to the doctor with my wife, and the doctor promptly put me on antidepressants and referred me to a psychologist. Unfortunately the psychologist and I just didn’t click and after one session I just continued as normal. Medication did (and still does) help me manage everything, but it wasn’t a stand alone solution.
I didn’t realise this until about 18 months later, when I the same cycle started to rear its ugly head and I started drowning again. I was struggling with suicidal thoughts and I knew I had to do something about it. I couldn’t let my kids down. So I try therapy again, saw a different psychologist who had a different approach that really clicked with me.
It was at the same time that I decided to try therapy again that I decided to completely overhaul my physical wellness as well. I completely changed my diet and started working out 3-4 times a week.
I firmly believe it was this combination of therapy to help understand my inner turmoil and physical wellness that helped me to come so much further. Throughout the next 12 months I shed 23kg and was the fittest I think I have ever been. Now I’m on a journey to continue finding this balance in the chaos of life and I want to help others find it as well.
Come on a journey with me. If I can connect with even one person to help them then this will all be worth it.