Ashley Riley: Running, mental health and fighting depression

About this episode

Ashley Riley discusses his journey through mental health challenges and how running has played a crucial role in his recovery.

Ashley Riley has seen first-hand how running can help people with both their physical and mental health. As an outgoing, comfortable, loud, business owning and confident middle-aged man, Ashley had few obvious worries in life. But that was before he experienced his first ever panic attack. It was followed by another one. And another. Within a month, Ashley's panic attacks had turned into bone crushing anxiety and deep, dark depression. Despite four courses of medication, the NHS couldn’t help and a psychotic Ashley was taken into psychiatric care. Two weeks later he suffered two strokes. Ashley's recovery has been powered by many things - the love of his family, therapy, routine... and running. These days, via his male mental health support group, Blue Soul Shoes, Ashley shares his story regularly, talking honestly and openly to businesses and other groups. Running, and in particular parkrun, have played a deeply meaningful part of his recovery. He runs at the 5k event every week with his 11-year-old son Teddy, taking time to share how physically, emotionally and spiritually, parkrun provides an amazing opportunity for anyone battling their mental health. Running Tales spoke to…

People in this episode

Hosts: Michelle Lewis, Craig Lewis

Guest: Ashley Riley

Topics covered

• mental health
• running
• depression
• anxiety
• recovery
• parkrun

Keywords

• running
• mental health
• depression
• anxiety
• parkrun
• recovery
• Blue Soul Shoes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Blue Soul Shoes, NHS

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