STRONGER THAN MY ILLNESS
This is the story
of a long-time personal friend, local strongman competitor and mental health
battler and survivor, Dean Finegan, whose biggest battle, wasn’t how much
weight he could lift on the bar, but in fact the one within his own head.
Over the years Dean
has always been involved in various competitive contact sports such as rugby
and various forms of mixed martial arts, something that has always helped Dean
with his mental illness albeit not realising just how much at the time.
In 2019, Dean gave
his mental strength a massive boost with his success in the land of the giants
and the world of Strongman competitions.
Originally born in
Wolverhampton, with Irish roots, Dean grew up in Manchester and St Anne’s, now
residing in Blackpool, North Shore, Dean only began competing in the world of
strongman approximately nine months ago, during which time he has not only set
himself goals but obliterated them in such rapid progress. Currently boasting a
320kg deadlift, 305kg squat and 145kg overhead press in such a short amount of
time.
Dean now has raised hopes of qualifying for the big stage of UK’s
Strongest Man event which involves vehicle-pulling and lifting such objects as
cumbersome kegs and Atlas Stones all of which have made for compelling viewing
on television for a number of years. To compete in the UK’s biggest event would
crown an amazing journey for 31-year-old, 6’3, 26 stone strongman.
At the beginning of
2019, Dean was struggling to cope, following a mental breakdown, one which he
admits was almost the end of the line for him. Dean’s story resonates with me
in a huge way as he deals with things similar to myself, keeping himself to
himself and not giving much away. Putting on a brave face whilst battling his
PTSD and depression, but not wanting it to define him and instead looking to
turn his past negatives into something positive.
Refusing to be defeated
and with the support of his closest friends and family, which includes his
fiancé and two sons, Dean soon discovered a talent for lifting heavy ass
weights with little experience, which gave him a new passion and new challenge,
‘lifting’ his life to a new level.
As previously
mentioned, having always been a keen rugby player with Blackpool, Thornton
Cleveleys and Orrell, his time in the 15-a-side sport was cut short due to
numerous knee injuries. Following this blow, it wasn’t just Dean’s sporting
activities which came off track, admitting, “I didn’t do much after that and I
lost my way. I hit breaking point just over 12 months ago and had a bad
breakdown. I work for the NHS at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and knew about the
mental health services, and they helped me massively.”
Dean cut himself off from the outside world, becoming less sociable and his confidence plummeting he knew something had to change. “I was not socially active and was struggling to leave the house, but I started to go to the gym with my earphones on as therapy and started doing deadlifts.”
Dean cut himself off from the outside world, becoming less sociable and his confidence plummeting he knew something had to change. “I was not socially active and was struggling to leave the house, but I started to go to the gym with my earphones on as therapy and started doing deadlifts.”
Other than his
beloved and devoted family, this soon became Dean’s reason for waking up each
morning. He continued...“I soon realised I
was naturally strong and a friend of mine was going in for a Strongman event in
Atherton, (Greater Manchester) and invited me down. I entered at two weeks’
notice as a first-timer and won the event. I then entered the Lancashire Strongest
Man event for more experience, albeit injured, I still gained a lot of from it.
Two months ago I did another competition in Atherton – an open event against
experienced strongmen competitors and gym goers with a no weight limit catch,
and I won again!”
Due to Dean’s remarkable rise, he has earned himself a place at the North of
England Strongest Man event in Hartlepool this March, where he hopes to qualify
for the National Championship.
Wanting to give
back to the sport and illness he continues to battle to this day, Dean has
opened and runs his own gym full-time, Defiance Strength and Conditioning in
Poulton.
Dean decided he wanted to give others who suffer with mental health, a
place to go, a place to learn and a place to lift. He plays a huge part in not
only encouraging others to chase their goals but also in being someone who is
willing to listen to their troubles and inspire them to use any negative energy
and turn it into a positive.
However, his career
unfolds, Dean is looking forward to a far brighter future. He added: “I hope my
story not only brings light to the sport of Strongman but also shows the mental
health benefits of being involved in such a sport.”
Thank you to Dean for bravely sharing your story.
Best of luck in all that you do, moving forward, both in the world of strongman as well as with your on-going battles against mental health.
We hope anyone reading this can relate to Dean's struggle and find a way to turn their negative energies into something positive.
Mark 💪
Please find attached links to both Dean's strongman and gym pages.
www.facebook.com/fineganstrongman
www.facebook.com/defiancesc
Best of luck in all that you do, moving forward, both in the world of strongman as well as with your on-going battles against mental health.
We hope anyone reading this can relate to Dean's struggle and find a way to turn their negative energies into something positive.
Mark 💪
Please find attached links to both Dean's strongman and gym pages.
www.facebook.com/fineganstrongman
www.facebook.com/defiancesc
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