🧠 Mental Health, PEDs & Fatherhood — Real Talk Before Father’s Day

[aimanabolic]

With Father’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to show up — not just as a man, but as a dad, a partner, and someone who’s supposed to keep it all together.

I’m on PEDs, like a lot of guys here. I train hard. I push myself. But I also take Vyvanse, Fluvoxamine, and Lamotrigine — prescribed by my psychiatrist — because mental health doesn’t just “sort itself out,” especially when you’ve got the added stress of being a provider, husband, and father.

PEDs can enhance a lot — strength, focus, drive — but they can also magnify anxiety, irritability, and inner chaos if you’re not on top of your mental game. That’s why I stay consistent with my meds and check in with myself regularly.

I also want to shout out my coach @Meetketchup — he’s opened the door for me to talk to him anytime I need, and that kind of support makes a huge difference. Sometimes just having someone in your corner who gets it is everything.

This isn’t about weakness — it’s about staying present for my wife and kids. Being strong in the gym doesn’t mean anything if I’m not emotionally available at home.

To the other dads out there: if you're struggling, you're not alone. DM me anytime. Sometimes just talking to another guy who's been there makes all the difference.

Happy early Father’s Day. Take care of your mind like you do your body.

 

[Big_Jimmy434]

I also have become a big advocate for men's mental health and I've had the privilege of being able to talk to men over the last few years and hopefully even help a few. Whether it's a long term issue or something acute, anyone can feel free to reach or to me, as well. You're right, mental health doesn't sort itself out.

I ask men all the time, if you don't mind telling people you're going to the gym to work on your physical health, you're not ashamed to go to church and work on your spiritual health, then why should you be ashamed to work on your mental health.

Diet takes work. The gym takes work. It all takes hard work and effort to get better, healthier and stronger. We, as men, know this, but then neglect the most important aspect of our lives... our mental health.

I'll ask anyone on here, would you tell the next member seeking advice on how to get healthy to "toughen up and ignore it?" I'm sure your weight problem will go away if you just ignore it." It kinda sounds dumb when used in that context.

Your not alone, we all struggle, we all have problems, we all have difficulties, and we all have emotions. We all know the courage it takes to grab a heavy ass barbell and put in the work. It's the same with mental health.

@aimanabolic I really appreciate this post, and I hope it encourages someone that's struggling to reach out to someone.

 

[zwhit]

Good post brother. It's something all the father's should think about.

I struggle with how much I put into this lifestyle. I get up at 4am. Make a small breakfast and head out to the gym before anyone else is up. Hit it again after work for cardio every day of the work week during a lot of months. I'll hit it on the weekend if I miss a workout due to work or kids' practices, etc. I don't even compete and it's still a lot of time spent on a hobby, for vanity's sake at that.

Guess it's an addiction at this point. But it's something I started after my athletic career was over and I started partying too much in my early to mid twenties. Guess it's better then the alternative addictions I could've picked up though. And it keeps me sane. Training is my antidepressants and my mental health isn't as good when I don't do it, so I guess I'll keep going as long as I can balance it with being a good dad/husband.

 

[Startingover]

It defiantly can be a diffacult balancing act for sure!
And as men,we're always ok.
Right? Controlling our emotions and reactions to them is key!Being a Father,husband,friend,provider can be alot of hats for us at times,no matter how strong or tough we perceive ourselves man!!

 

[aimanabolic]

Really appreciate all the feedback from you guys — this is exactly why I wanted to post it.

We push so hard physically, but the mental side gets left out too often. If this helped even one person feel a little less alone, it was worth sharing.

 

[Bronjohn]

With Father’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to show up — not just as a man, but as a dad, a partner, and someone who’s supposed to keep it all together.

I’m on PEDs, like a lot of guys here. I train hard. I push myself. But I also take Vyvanse, Fluvoxamine, and Lamotrigine — prescribed by my psychiatrist — because mental health doesn’t just “sort itself out,” especially when you’ve got the added stress of being a provider, husband, and father.

PEDs can enhance a lot — strength, focus, drive — but they can also magnify anxiety, irritability, and inner chaos if you’re not on top of your mental game. That’s why I stay consistent with my meds and check in with myself regularly.

I also want to shout out my coach @Meetketchup — he’s opened the door for me to talk to him anytime I need, and that kind of support makes a huge difference. Sometimes just having someone in your corner who gets it is everything.

This isn’t about weakness — it’s about staying present for my wife and kids. Being strong in the gym doesn’t mean anything if I’m not emotionally available at home.

To the other dads out there: if you're struggling, you're not alone. DM me anytime. Sometimes just talking to another guy who's been there makes all the difference.

Happy early Father’s Day. Take care of your mind like you do your body.

Great post. Everyone should feel free to share what they feel helps them manage life - whether PEDs, psychitatric drugs, therapy, the gym, whatever it is that helps you become a better man and handle your responsibilities. I’ve been prescribed every ADHD drug out there and until Test was taking an anti depressant (Bupropion). I think Test resolved more than just depression for me (Test is magic) but you never know what life will hold.

It’s important to remember that everyone has phases in life. Seeking a therapy now doesn’t mean you’ll need it forever, and just because you aren’t in need of a therapy now, doesn’t mean you won’t be in the future. Gotta keep putting one foot in front of the other. No one else knows what your life is like.

We as men ought to be more open about sharing these things. Sharing contributes to all men’s knowledge of how to handle challenges, how to manage these therapies, and how to manage life, successfully. I, for one, appreciate the wealth of knowledge on this forum and especially appreciate hearing from the older guys about what life is like, the good, the bad, and the ugly, so I’m better prepared for what’s ahead.

Thanks for sharing. If I can help anyone here feel free to reach out. Happy Father’s Day fellas!

 

[Ponygod]

Great post Aim! I often put my mental health to the side as "it doesn't matter, I'm a guy, just deal with it" and it can get overwhelming for sure. There shouldn't be a stigma over it and I hope that changes soon.

Can we hug it out now?

 

[SouthernR]

Bump for a Great post! Maybe someday I'll share my story, but the Struggle is Real! My kids are the only reason I chose to fight the struggle everyday!

 

[aimanabolic]

Great post Aim! I often put my mental health to the side as "it doesn't matter, I'm a guy, just deal with it" and it can get overwhelming for sure. There shouldn't be a stigma over it and I hope that changes soon.

Can we hug it out now?

I'd love to