June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the silent struggles many men face and the ways we can support each other. At our gym here in St. Louis, we’ve always believed that fitness is about more than just how you look in the mirror. It’s about how you feel inside and out.

While a solid workout builds strength, endurance, and confidence, it also does something deeper. It helps your mind.

The Science of the Sweat

When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins, natural mood boosters that help relieve stress, reduce pain, and spark that “good” feeling after a tough session. You might’ve heard people call it a “runner’s high,” but it’s not limited to running. Lifting weights, biking, boxing, or even a 30-minute walk on the treadmill can do the trick.

Exercise also helps regulate cortisol, the hormone linked to stress. If cortisol levels stay too high for too long, it can lead to anxiety, fatigue, or even depression. Movement helps bring those levels back to balance.

And then there’s your brain. Physical activity increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients. Over time, this supports better focus, sharper thinking, and emotional regulation. Simply put: the gym doesn’t just strengthen your muscles it rewires your brain to handle life’s challenges better.

More Than a Gym, A Safe Space

For a lot of guys, opening up about what’s going on inside isn’t easy. We’re taught to be strong, to tough it out, to keep things to ourselves. But the truth is holding everything in can get heavy.

That’s why the gym matters.

It’s not just a place to train. It’s a place to release, reset, and reconnect. The gym is where you can be quiet or loud, focused or frustrated, alone or around others, without having to explain yourself. It’s where effort is respected, struggles are understood, and progress, physical or mental is always celebrated.

We’ve seen it here firsthand, a fist bump after a hard set, a casual “you good?” that means more than it seems, a coach who knows when to push and when to just listen. These small moments add up. They make the gym a place where showing up, even on your worst days, is enough.

And maybe most importantly, there’s no judgment. You don’t have to have it all together. You don’t need to be the strongest in the room. You just need to be here. Showing up for yourself. One rep, one breath, one day at a time.

A Note to the Guys

We see you. We know “I’m fine” doesn’t always mean you are.

You don’t have to fight your battles alone. Whether you’re walking in to crush a workout or just need a quiet corner to breathe it all counts. This space is yours.

You are not weak for needing a break. You’re not less of a man for having emotions. You’re human. And being strong isn’t about staying silent it’s about showing up, even when it’s hard.

This June, let’s lift more than weights. Let’s lift each other.

"Depression is a war you fight alone, but don't have to win by yourself"

-Justin