“Mental Disease Is So Gripping”: 57-Year-Old Bodybuilding Legend Expresses Grave Concern over the Increasing Suicidal Rate Among Teenagers

Belonging to the Golden Era of bodybuilding, Flex Wheeler was the Sultan of Symmetry. With four Arnold Classics and a lifetime achievement award, his contributions to the field are well known. However, despite the success, Wheeler has dealt with various mental and physical health issues throughout his life. Thoughts of taking his own life have also crossed his mind at some point. However, he survived and fought through it. Now, Wheeler uses his platform to help others fight through their dark times and realize their dreams.

More often than not, he addresses various issues spreading like wildfire in society and suggests ways to tackle them. Recently, Wheeler opened up about the impact social media has on the mental health of teenagers. He also suggested a simple method one can use to help the youth out of the predicament.

Flex Wheeler addresses the mental health issue among teenagers

On 4th May 2023, Flex Wheeler posted a video talking about something that took him years to understand. In the clip, Wheeler revealed, because of the internet he has been able to connect with his fans more. While it is a good thing, he also receives too many messages from people struggling with their mental health. Astonished by the number of people struggling in silence, Wheeler said, “…Mental disease is so gripping and so powerful. It’s just amazing how many people out there are struggling, you know with, suicidal…you know.”

However, he claimed that social media is one of the contributing factors to such issues. He added, “Even now it’s been proven with statistics that suicide among teenagers is so massive now because of Instagram and Facebook…People misleading so. I think some of us need to be a pillar of strength to just being honest. And you alleviate that child from the feeling that they gotta be perfect, ’cause I’m so far from being perfect.”

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Through his caption, he reassured the ones struggling that they are not alone. He wrote, “So much going on, guaranteed you’re not alone!” Wheeler could understand their struggles on a more personal level because he too had dealt with suicidal thoughts in the past.

The bodybuilding legend was severely depressed

Back in 2018, Flex Wheeler appeared in an interview with London Real wherein he gave a detailed account of the time he tried to take his own life. Yes, times. Plural! He attempted it more than once. The first instance he narrated was from the time he walked out on a girl after getting her pregnant. His actions had a devastating effect on his already struggling mental health.

The veteran felt like he had disappointed and embarrassed the one who had raised him; his grandmother. Unable to deal with his thoughts any longer, Wheeler had driven his car off the ramp in a weather full of storms and rain. Despite the car accident he failed to take his own life. All he could do was sit in the car and cry his heart out. The second time was when he consumed half a bottle of aspirin. As the pills were pumped out of his system on time, once again he survived.

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Later, he realized the importance of life and fought through his darkest times. Now he tries to help others, struggling with the same thoughts, to fight their battles and prioritize a healthier lifestyle.