Success Stories
75% of people who complete the 8 Week Program report a positive improvement in mood and/or fitness!
At the end of last year, I went for a routine check-up with my GP and I was diagnosed suffering mild depression and anxiety.
I am the primary carer for my son, who has autism, and I am also studying to become a social worker. It was hard to find a balance. My sleeping patterns were very disrupted and I thought that my low mood might be caused by this, but in fact, this was one of the symptoms of my depression and anxiety.
It took me a while to acknowledge that I was feeling depressed, and a counsellor that I visit suggested that I might want to try Mood Active’s 4-week wellbeing program. I haven’t exercised since I was a child and the 4-week program was a really excellent way to get started.
I was able to try various exercise options. With the 4-week program, we also received a booklet with information about different types of exercise and simple things I could do on my own to keep active.
I enjoyed the program so much that I then signed up for the 8-week program. I’ve tried most of the types of exercise and particularly enjoyed the cardio tennis.
Since I’ve started the Mood Active programs, my sleep quality is so much better and this has made all the difference to how I feel. It has been fantastic. I’ve also seen a lot of other benefits to my overall well-being – my fitness level is up, I have lots more energy and I’ve even lost some weight!
I’d really encourage anyone to sign up for one of Mood Active’s programs. I’d really recommend starting with the 4-week Wellbeing program. It’s a great introduction to the 8-week program and a good way to build up a regular exercise habit.
In 2016 I experienced a depressive episode where I couldn’t properly function physically or mentally.
It disrupted and changed the life I had quite drastically. With the help of medication, my depressive symptoms improved in 2017 but I was far from knowing how to rebuild a life for myself. In August 2017 I was given a funded place in Mood Active and started attending regular exercise classes.
Within the first weeks, I felt the effects. My body was healthier, and my mind and thoughts followed suit. I was calmer. My mood was better after each session. Getting up and going for a class in the mornings gave me a simple sense of routine and direction. Getting to know the trainers and the other participants is also incredibly supportive. All these things added up and made me feel more integrated and less isolated. In December I started volunteering with Mood Active.
It feels great being able to simultaneously participate and contribute back to the program that has helped me so much in so many ways. I owe a huge part of my well being to Mood Active.
I was in a position of weighing around 124 kg and leading a very reclusive life. My depression was controlling me. My psychologist suggested I contact Mood Active (Cardio Tennis) which I did. At first, it was a real battle just to turn up at the events. Cam (trainer) was very open and has fostered this openness with the group. As such mutual understanding of the difficulties with mental health are understood by the group making it not a problem to speak about your own situation.
As a result of the exercise regime, I have been able to maintain some regular exercise despite a lot of work on for 2 months. Now I don’t have work for 6-7 weeks I will get back into the cardio tennis.
My motivation as a result of the mood active groups has been so much better. I now weigh about 116 kg.
Overall I attribute increased confidence and work activity, weight loss, higher motivation, increased social activity (could still improve a lot) to Mood Active.
Thank you, Lewis, for this opportunity and once again thank Clubs NSW for assisting me at a time that I most definitely needed it! It enabled me to climb out of a very deep hole. Also, thank you all at Mood Active and especially to Cam.
I’ve struggled with mental health since adolescents, clinical depression, then I had kids and it was PND, then a diagnosis of Bipolar.
The year leading up to my Mood Active experience I was on my knees with crippling anxiety and feelings of suicide. The medication was getting upped and upped, SSRI, antipsychotics and the side effects where terrible.
I was walking out of a meeting with my psychologist my husband picked up the leaflet and then began my journey. Since I’ve been attending “Mood Active” and my life has turned around. I’ve started working p/t, volunteering, gave up the smokes and drastically reduced my medication.
Everything has just been falling into place. I seem to be able to handle what life throws at me, I have found this new form of discipline I thought I had lost many years ago.
Exercise I don’t take it seriously, just regularly. Thanks, Cam and Mood Active crew and of course the Clubs that financed this Charity. Really appreciated and hope your support will continue in the future to change lives!
Tamara L.
Program Participant
Thank you, Cam and Mood Active for a wonderful fitness program. Starting the day with exercise has made a difference.
When I moved to Australia I thought my dreams would come true and my problems would go away. I didn’t prepare for the possibility I may become unwell, I didn’t take out health insurance, seek a therapist or a doctor. I didn’t know how to pay for all that and it took me months to get around to setting up Medicare. However, the reality was that I did become unwell, very unwell, and was held on a psychiatric ward under the mental health act within weeks on moving to Sydney.
Luckily, I had been in touch with Mood Active in a bid to find an affordable alternative to expensive doctors and pricey gym memberships. At first, I joined as a means of staying active but in reality, the program became much more. It created routine, support and motivation to stay active and stay well. I went from a couple classes a week to 4,5 sometimes 6.
Whilst living with type 1 bipolar disorder is, for me, still a daily struggle, I have found through the program a non-judgmental support system and, of course, access to fun means of keeping fit. Thank you to the City of Sydney for enabling me to gain so much.
Ready to get started?
Isabella Siera
Program Manager
Mood ActiveIf you or your business would like to sponsor Mood Active, please get in touch.
Accreditation
We’re not a registered NDIS provider ourselves, however we work with NDIS Providers.
Unfortunately we are not a Medicare funded.
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