COLORADO SPRINGS — As we work to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, we’ve all struggled with the new reality. From masks to working from home, to not seeing friends or family for months on end it’s been difficult.
For those battling even deeper issues, addiction, depression, and more, it can be even harder to forge ahead.
But for one gym owner in Colorado Springs, he’s doing his part to help those recovering and build a stronger body, mind, and soul.
“About 13 years ago I tried to take my life,” Rob Decker said.
Rob Decker broke his back, arms and both lungs collapsed, and had to learn to walk again after that suicide attempt. He also continued battling drug and alcohol addiction.
What he found during those tough years was his spirit.
Through his journey, he became a health and fitness coach, peer and substance abuse coach, and owner of Kingdom F.I.T. That stands for Faith In Training. He works to help others get their lives back, not just physically, but spiritually and mentally. They all go hand in hand.
“I work with a range of people. I’ve worked with people who have depression or are suicidal. I’m working with a young lady who suffered major traumas in her life,” Decker said.
Decker has seen firsthand how the pandemic has made things even worse for those already struggling.
“What I’ve seen is an increase in abuse, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, suicide, death. All that is happening right now. And to kind of step in and help people struggling in those realms is pretty much what I’m all about, Decker said.
Christopher Potter was introduced to Rob while coming out of a toxic, life-threatening relationship.
“I kind of fell into a deep depression and was having the thoughts of taking my own life,” Potter said.
Potter received Kingdom F.I.T.’s Marc Scholarship. It is named after Decker’s friend who lost his life to mental health issues.
The scholarship is funded by clients and other donors to help those struggling mentally, emotionally, physically, or financially to get two months of free personal training sessions.
Potter said it was hard work rebuilding from the ground up, “It was a struggle at first. But I was able to push through and I’m here today.”
Potter has since recovered from the dark times and is back on his feet with a whole different mindset, “Fitness helped me build confidence in myself. It helped me realize what I need to do. It helped me realize that if you put your mind to something you can achieve it.”
Decker said the community is something we all need.
“This is way bigger than fitness. This is about other humans. This is about hope. This is about mental health. I think right now where we’re at as a culture, a society, a lot of us are struggling,” Decker said.
To learn more about Kingdom F.I.T. click here.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs some help, call Colorado Crisis Servicesat 1-844-493-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255.
