S4 E16 Victor Brick on Exercise and Mental Health

Beyond Theory

In this episode of the Beyond Theory Podcast, Victor Brick, co-founder of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation and CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, shares his personal journey of losing his brother John to complications from schizophrenia. Victor's story highlights the devastating impact of serious mental illness and the limitations of conventional treatment approaches that rely heavily on medication, psychotherapy, and hospitalization.

Determined to honor his brother's legacy, Victor and his wife founded the John W. Brick Foundation to promote a paradigm shift in mental healthcare. The foundation advocates for integrating evidence-based lifestyle interventions such as exercise, nutrition, and mind-body practices alongside traditional treatments. This holistic approach empowers individuals to take an active role in their mental wellbeing.

A cornerstone of the foundation's work is the groundbreaking "Move Your Mental Health" report, which collates over 1,000 studies demonstrating the efficacy of physical activities like yoga, cardio, and strength training in supporting mental health. By making this research accessible, Victor aims to encourage healthcare professionals and individuals to incorporate lifestyle medicine into their mental health toolkits.

Victor emphasizes the importance of balancing self-care and professional healthcare in optimizing mental wellbeing. He shares his own daily practices, including Qigong, cold showers, breathwork, and infrared saunas, which provide "positive stress" to build resilience. Victor also highlights the critical role of connectivity and coping skills in preventing mental health issues, particularly in light of the isolation and loneliness exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through initiatives like the "Never Alone" summit in collaboration with Deepak Chopra, Victor seeks to reduce stigma, foster community, and provide practical strategies for improving mental health. His vision is a world where integrative, person-centered, and evidence-based approaches are the norm in mental healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

1. Integrative Mental Healthcare: Combining conventional treatments like medication and therapy with evidence-based lifestyle interventions such as exercise, nutrition, and mind-body practices can enhance mental health outcomes.

2. Empowering Self-Care: Encouraging individuals to take an active role in their mental wellbeing through self-care practices and education can complement professional treatment and improve resilience.

3. Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine: The "Move Your Mental Health" report demonstrates the efficacy of physical activities in supporting mental health, highlighting the importance of incorporating lifestyle medicine into mental health treatment plans.

4. Positive Stress for Resilience: Engaging in practices that provide "positive stress," such as exercise, cold showers, breathwork, and infrared saunas, can help build mental and emotional resilience.

5. Connectivity and Coping Skills: Fostering social connections and developing coping skills are critical factors in preventing mental health issues and promoting wellbeing, particularly during challenging times like the Covid-19 pandemic.

6. Reducing Mental Health Stigma: Initiatives like the "Never Alone" summit aim to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness by sharing diverse stories and providing practical strategies for improving mental health.

7. Advocating for Change in Mental Healthcare: Victor Brick's personal story and the work of the John W. Brick Foundation serve as a powerful call to action for behavioral health professionals to adopt more holistic, person-centered, and evidence-based approaches in mental healthcare.

This thought-provoking interview serves as a powerful call to action for behavioral health professionals and anyone committed to advancing mental wellbeing. Victor's insights challenge us to expand our understanding of what truly promotes resilience and reminds us that even in the darkest times, we are never alone.

Victor Brick is the co-founder of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation and CEO of Planet Fitness Growth Partners, LLC. Find out more, including details of the report we discussed, at johnwbrickfoundation.org.