Prioritizing Mental Health: Insights from Peloton Instructor Kendall Toole

Introduction

In this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, host Amy Morin, LCSW, engages in a captivating conversation with Kendall Toole, a renowned Peloton instructor and mental health advocate, on the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts for the complete episode.

Meet Kendall Toole

Kendall Toole, with a massive social media following of over 400,000 on Instagram, is a prominent Peloton instructor and a vocal advocate for mental health. While sharing fitness tips, she passionately emphasizes the importance of addressing mental well-being. Her role as an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) further demonstrates her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for mental health.

Kendall Toole's Mental Strength

Kendall Toole sets an exemplary model by being open about her personal struggles with mental health, including OCD and depression. She challenges societal norms by acknowledging that her mental health journey is an ongoing process, highlighting the need for continuous investment in self-care. Her resilience and willingness to share her experiences inspire others to prioritize their mental well-being.

Podcast Episode Highlights

• Recognizing the challenges of prioritizing mental health in a hectic world
• Understanding the connection between physical and mental fitness
• Strategies for self-motivation when feeling uninspired
• Kendall Toole's journey of receiving treatment for OCD as a child and severe depression as an adult, including her hospitalization due to suicidal thoughts
• The importance of seeking help when needed, overcoming the stigma associated with mental health issues, and embracing empathy for others
• The significance of having a toolbox filled with healthy coping strategies
• Kendall Toole's techniques for monitoring her mental health and knowing when to invest more time and effort in self-care
• The interdependence of self-care and effectively supporting others

Mental Health Insights

Kendall Toole's courageous vulnerability in discussing her mental health journey challenges the stigma still associated with mental health issues. She emphasizes the reality of mental health as a continuum, recognizing that it can fluctuate over time. Toole promotes building mental strength as a preventive measure against mental health problems, while acknowledging that mental strength alone cannot guarantee immunity to mental illness. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are not signs of weakness, but conditions that require appropriate treatment. Moreover, seeking help is a sign of bravery as it involves acknowledging the need for support.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

For individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides support through phone calls and chat services. Callers can reach the hotline at 988 or chat with a trained counselor online. The organization also offers chat services or relay services for those with hearing impairments. Veterans can utilize the text service by sending a message to 838255 or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website for chat support.

Kendall Toole's Quotes

• "I've found physical activity and physical fitness to be such a fantastic tool to help me with my mental health and vice versa."

• "The act of investing in yourself—even if it is for 2 minutes or 5 minutes or a full hour or an hour and 30 minutes—that's a brave move."

• "When I need that motivation, I always remind myself to just commit to it for 2 minutes or 5 minutes or 10 minutes maximum."

• "Continue to find better tools and better mechanisms and better ways to help yourself."

• "I kind of wrote a note to myself and said, 'It's so funny because two years ago you wished you had these pressures on you. You wished you had these opportunities. You are growing, you can handle this.'"

Additional Resources

• Listen to the full episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast with Kendall Toole on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others prioritize their mental health.