Episode 5
On the latest episode of Anxiety Unraveled, ARC Podcast Host Mike Maddox sits down with Brendan Kelly, owner and CEO of The Well Being Counseling and Fitness Center, to understand the importance of physical exercise for mental health.
Kelly shares about his unique practice in Grand Rapids, MI where therapists use exercise and movement as a primary form of treatment for common mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. Clients receive open access to the fitness center at no additional charge when they are receiving counseling services.
The Well Being, opened in 2011, as the first outpatient mental health facility in the United States to provide clientele with an on-site fitness center, specifically for their use, while directly incorporating exercise and physical activity as a means of mental health treatment.
“Research has proven conclusively that regular physical exercise, physical activity, may very well be the best thing we can do for our mental health,” Kelly says.
Maddox shared stories from his personal journey with anxiety and how the use of physical exercise greatly impacted his life. Exercise provides an opportunity he said, to actually do something physical to combat anxiety.
“I personally believe it’s the world’s best mental health medication available today with the world’s best side effects,” Kelly said.
About Our Podcast Guest:
Brendan is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker who’s been working as an outpatient therapist since 2003. Brendan received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Western Michigan University in 2003. He is passionate about the idea of utilizing movement and physical exercise as a direct source of mental health treatment and has given numerous presentations over the years on this subject. He strongly believes The Well Being’s treatment model presents as a potential paradigm shift in traditional outpatient mental health services.
