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• My Rock Bottom Story

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• Mental Break

• Last Word

Hi! I’m Chris. Welcome to the Rock Bottom Rising community, and thank you so much for being here. I’m truly glad you’ve joined us. My hope is that by sharing my experiences, the stories of others, and the tools and resources that have helped me, I can offer support and guidance during your time of need.

About 18 months ago, I hit my rock bottom. The downward spiral began during the pandemic in 2020. Though life wasn't exactly stellar before then—prior to COVID, I could at least stay busy enough to avoid confronting the serious issues that were simmering beneath the surface.

I lost two-thirds of my income due to COVID-related cuts and closures. My already fragile marriage unraveled completely. In the aftermath, I rushed into a new relationship that quickly turned toxic. I experienced a painful falling out with some of my closest friends, and my mental health deteriorated severely. Eventually, I had to take a leave of absence from work, which ultimately led to losing my job. For the first time in my adult life, I was unemployed. Alone, isolated, and completely broke, I felt trapped in a fog of helplessness and despair.

What came next is hard to put into words without unraveling a box of trauma I’m not ready to share. Let’s just say, life didn’t just knock me down—it kept kicking while I was already on the ground. Everyone has a breaking point, and I had finally reached mine. The weight of my world had become more than I could bear.

My circle—the few people who still cared—shrunk dramatically as everything unfolded. At my breaking point, I sent out a desperate SOS to my closest family. Without their support, I don’t know where I’d be today. Honestly, I’m not sure if I’d still be here at all.

Fast forward to today—I’m still standing. While I’m no longer at rock bottom, there’s still a long journey ahead. I’m determined to keep climbing, and I’m passionate about helping others rise alongside me.

Throughout my journey, I have gained invaluable insights. Should I ever find myself in a similar situation again—God forbid—I hope to be better prepared, equipped with the knowledge and tools I’ve acquired. I am eager to share what I’ve learned, with the hope of helping others. One thing I’ve learned for certain is that the descent is far quicker than the ascent. The road ahead may be long, but road trips are always more enjoyable with good company. I hope you find that company here, for you are never truly alone.

-CP

What's your story?

Share your experience by emailing [email protected].

Your story can inspire others and remind them they're not alone.

No matter where you are on your journey, I highly recommend trying this app. It’s an excellent tool for tracking your mood, emotions, triggers, activities, and more—while revealing how they connect and shift over time. The app’s charts, stats, and graphs offer valuable insights that I found incredibly helpful for understanding and managing my mental health.

Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and a new ADHD diagnosis—each arriving within a whirlwind three months. Suddenly, my life started to make sense: the patterns, the struggles, the relentless chaos in my head. Even the ongoing challenges in my marriage with my wife felt illuminated, like puzzle pieces falling into place.

Yet, I wish none of this had happened. I wish the ring had never come to me.

So do all who live to see such times.

Those words resonate deeply today. More than ever, I feel the weight of inadequacy, the nagging thought that nothing I do for the people I love will ever be enough. I overthink. I overcompensate. And in trying so hard, I often mess things up. Take my wife, for instance—when I try to do something thoughtful, it seems to backfire more often than not.

But I have to let go.

I am not the sum of every mistake I’ve ever made. I am free. I am me. Unapologetically.

Still, the waves of depression are like an undertow, pulling me down, deeper than I ever expect. It’s exhausting. It’s relentless. But even as I struggle, I remind myself that I am more than my worst days. And though the storm may rage, I am learning to navigate it one step at a time.

This is my story, and I am still writing it.

-JT

Jake Tyler, a 31-year-old living with depression, undertook a 2,000-mile walk across the UK to manage his mental health. Using exercise, nature, and sharing his journey online, he connected with a broad community and gained recognition from the BBC and the Royal Family. Through his TEDx talk, Jake explores how openness and engaging with others helped reshape his relationship with depression.

To create a supportive community that provides hope, resources, and guidance for individuals recovering from life's lowest points, helping them rebuild and rediscover their strength through shared experiences and practical support.

Millions of people—of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world—have experienced, are experiencing, or will experience hitting rock bottom at some point in their lives.

What does it mean to hit rock bottom? While some call it a midlife crisis, each person's experience is unique. It might be an overwhelming battle with depression or other mental health challenges. It might be severe financial hardship. It might be a marriage or relationship crumbling beyond repair. It might be an addiction that feels impossible to overcome. It may be the insurmountable grief from an unexpected loss. Often, it's a combination of these struggles.

Here’s what’s coming in next week’s newsletter.

• 7 Simple Strategies to Fight Depression That Truly Work

Sometimes, despite your efforts, life knocks you down.

@barstoolsports

Bro kept going 🤣 @Barstool Outdoors (via:@wen ♡)

Thank you for making it this far—I truly appreciate it. I hope you found something valuable in what I shared. If you have feedback, suggestions, a story to share, or would like to contribute in any way, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out at [email protected].

Your support means the world to us and helps us grow and evolve. If you know a friend or loved one who might find this content valuable, please share this link: https://rockbottomrising.beehiiv.com/subscribe.

Until next time, keep rising.

-CP