The Fitness Era: Overcoming Depression Without Medication

 A couple of years ago, I found myself in the lowest emotional place I had ever been. I had lost my job, had no partner or anyone to support me, and had no friends, I had moved to a new place, far from home, with no familiar faces around.  It was winter, and both my body and mind  completely collapsed.

I’ve never been a fan of psychiatric medication (although I respect all choices)  but believe me, I was so lost that I even started considering it.

To give you a bigger picture, I’ve been a rock climber for many years, champion of my country for several years—an example of strength and determination. So what happened to that “invincible” Gaby? What was the bit that broke all the pieces?

The answer was… the pressure. Holding the pressure to live up to my own expectations for years, and to support my daughter, because as a single mom, as it wasn’t enough—I had to do it all alone. I didn’t have a choice; I was the only one who could save me. But suddenly, my “superhero” decided to take a break. And there I was—tired, broken, drained, and completely lost.

Luckily, I found support in my sister, who lives in the USA. We kept calling each other, and she was constantly checking up on me. Since I still felt very vulnerable, she gave me a ticket to the US to go visit her, and I have to admit—it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. She didn’t just support me emotionally; she also introduced me to an incredible world that changed my life—or at least helped preserve it!

One afternoon, she invited me to a L.A Fitness center near Clearwater, Florida. I have to admit, coming from an extreme outdoor activity background, it wouldn’t have been my first choice. But over time, I was genuinely surprised by the results.

Many people asked me why I didn’t use climbing to improve the situation. The reality is that climbing is incredibly physical but also very mental—and my mind was so disturbed that I needed a systematic way to alleviate my condition. So, I got a gym membership back home and continued working out very diligently. I soon decided to follow a structured training program and experienced incredible changes, both physically and psychologically.

To be honest, I wasn’t aware of the science behind it all; all I knew was that I went from being clinically depressed to feeling like an empowered, reborn woman. Now, I am aware of my weaknesses and understand that life is full of ups and downs—but the difference is that I now have a tool to help align my thoughts and emotions, all while simply getting stronger and hotter than never before!

Finnally,  I became so passionate about fitness that I decided to get certified as a personal trainer. I’ve already designed and followed my own training programs. I don’t have official clients yet, but there’s potential for a happy ending. Story to be continued…






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