A former Scotland's Strongest Man has candidly spoken about his biggest mental health battle after losing his mum to suicide as a child.
Dean Mcvie, 32, who placed third in the 2022 World's Strongest Man competition, told how his personal life began to spiral out of control last year and he found himself battling suicidal thoughts.
The ex Royal Marine, from Edinburgh, said he became isolated after he broke up with the love of his life, lost £50,000 in investments and suffered an injury that left him unable to train.
Speaking on the Hostile Strength podcast, he said: "There were too many adversities at one point. I became isolated in my house. Then I became injured and I started questioning myself and my career. I thought 'Am I out of the game now? Is this it?'
"I was so vulnerable. It brought up other [things] that I had kept bottled up.
"I tried to stop my mum from killing herself when I was nine. My mum then took her own life. [They were] the memories that would haunt me.
"I thought 'I don't think I can handle any more of this'. I had nothing left in me. I genuinely thought about suicide.
"It was alarming."
The three-time Scotland's strongest man title holder is now in a better place after returning from competing at Official Strongman Games in Florida, USA, where he placed third. He credits exercise with saving his life but believes he was able to bounce back by talking to friends and giving back to those who need help most.
He continued: "I manage my mental health now with exercise, competing in weightlifting competitions and training my PT clients.
"I would be at rock bottom but I knew I had to turn up to work. Sometimes just turning up is a distraction but I'm grateful to have had one. I've helped a lot of clients with their own mental health.
"I've been raising money for charity and I adopted my two cats from Romania. I saved my cats and they saved me.
"It's nice to be nice. I do try and give back to the world. I think people take too much these days and don't give enough back."
He also addressed 'toxic masculinity' and encouraged other men who find themselves in a dark place to seek the help they need.
Dean added: "To all the men - don't give into toxic masculinity. Talk to your friends, talk to your family. Go to your doctor.
"I had to take a few hours to myself or I would really close myself off to everyone. But time heals all. It's about how you manage it."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
