Tyson Fury, a Mental Health Advocate: Everything You Need to Know About His Inspirational Journey of Overcoming Drugs, Anxiety, and Depression

Tyson Fury has referred to himself as a fighting man several times. What does he mean by that? A two-time heavyweight champion or something more profound? Well, Fury has been fighting both inside and outside the ring. After winning the heavyweight championship and achieving his dream in 2015, Fury succumbed to depression and anxiety.

As a coping mechanism, he resorted to alcohol and gained weight. Subsequently, at one point, he was 300 lbs and his boxing career was almost over. But he was cut from a different cloth and fought through his mental battles to become a champion once again. But how did he overcome his mental challenges to once again become the most noteworthy heavyweight of the modern era?

The dark phase of Tyson Fury’s life

The 35-year-old has experienced a life that is worthy of a biopic. He has witnessed the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Moreover, the dark phase of life commenced after he became a heavyweight champion by defeating Wladimir Klitschko. The boxing world at the time did not give him much of a chance. Klitschko was in a legendary undefeated legion and, ‘The Gypsy King,’ had yet to prove himself. However, destiny had it for him to become a heavyweight champion, and he did just that. Moreover, after achieving his dream, the heavyweight champion did not know what to do with his life and became a victim of mental health issues.

Although he has been undefeated inside the ring, for a brief while, he was losing an internal battle. In 2016, for over 18 months, Fury was in a deep depression. A depression of sorts that made him suicidal. On the Joe Rogan podcast, while recounting his mental health troubles and being suicidal, he remarked, “Wanted to die so bad.”

Despite having it all: money, fame, glory, and a beautiful family, ‘The Gypsy King,’ lacked interest in anything, and his suicidal thoughts were continuing to prolong. As per The Guardian, he even once drove his car and attempted suicide. He stated, “I didn’t care about nothing. I just wanted to die so bad. I gave up on life but, as I was heading to the bridge.” However, he thought of his kids and family, which prevented him.

He added, “No, don’t do this Tyson. Think about your kids, your family, and your daughter growing up without a dad.’” At was at this stage, Fury decided to turn his life back on track. So let’s take a closer look at his resurgence.

The renaissance of Tyson Fury

Fury is a fighting man through and through. The Sweet Science was his first love, and he knew getting back in shape and the sport would help him come out of mental health issues. Subsequently, he decided to make a comeback and be in the ring. Training for his comeback provided some structure and discipline to his life. Not to mention, he had a healthy diet that assisted him in losing the unwanted weight he had gained.

Read more: Despite Offering Them a Hefty Paycheck, Real Reason Why $65 Million Worth Tyson Fury Failed to Halt Netflix Docuseries Mid-Way

On the Joe Rogan Podcast, he credited this structure to helping him come out of depression and anxiety. He stated, “I don’t suffer from mental health when I’m active and I’ve got a goal, if you suffer from mental health problems you tend to suffer when you’re on your own and you have a lot of time to think, but when you’re busy daily, you don’t have much time to think about mental health.”