RUN OVER DEPRESSION
Why distance-running you ask?  Ah, such a wonderful question!!!  

The primary reason is because through medication and talk-therapy - once I was able to once again achieve that "balance" that was lacking
during the three months leading up to my diagnosis of depression (when I had no clue why I was feeling the way that I was) and the months
following my "diagnosis" during which time I started to feel better, I did a lot of reading on depression - I was going to beat this thing "hell or
highwater" as they say.  In fact, thanks to the wonderful research that is available thanks to the medical world, I read a lot about how exercise,
in particular running, would give one that "runner's high" feeling - confidence, self-esteem, "let me take on the world" sorta feeling that I was
lacking so much.  

Well one day during the summer of 2001, I started to run 1 mile, which led to 2 miles, which finally lead to me training for a "Run Through The
Gap" which took place in the fall of 2002 in Delaware Water Gap, PA.  Then the most "interesting" thing happened.  I LOVED how I felt
following a run.  I would take that opportunity - whether it was a short 15 minute jog or a 5-hour training run - to reflect and essentially be
introspective.  Wow, did it work wonders!!

During the next summer - that of 2003 - I found out about this awesome marathon called the "
Steamtown Marathon" that was being held near
me in Scranton, PA.  A marathon, eh?  26.2 miles/42 km of "all the time running."  Gotta love it!  

I remember being scared out of my wits going into the marathon, although thanks to the greatest supporting group in the world (some of whom
you can see if you click on the
race calendar - seeing their faces throughout the race gave me such an endorphin rush that I complete it!  And
from then on, my "running world" has never been the same....

In 2004 and 2005 I competed in Steamtown; and this past November 2005 ALSO competed in the
Philadelphia Marathon.  

Running has certainly helped me to personally overcome depression - now having been off anti-depressants for close to three years now - I see
running as my new "drug."  

As a result, that's why we're here today.  I have learned on mission trips that I've been blessed to take in the third world and even within the
United States, that we require FOUR things to survive.  1) Your faith in God and in yourself; 2) Your family and friends; 3) Your health 4) Human
Dignity.  Obviously not feeling well mentally means that your mental health is lacking; and that can unfortunately lead you to doubt your faith
in God and yourself.  Heaven forbid that a person feeling depressed would ever take their own life; but if they did, they leave their family and
friends without an awesome person that they cared about, wondering what went wrong.  Finally, I see an attack on mental illness as an attack
on human dignity; because I personally cannot tell you how HAPPY I was to know that how I was feeling 'had a name." So for someone to say
that mental illnesses don't exist and that how I felt wasn't real..... well, that is a SERIOUS attack on human dignity in my opinion.

On a final note; as funny as this may sound - I used to HATE to run.  I was and continue to be a soccer player, but play in the goal.  I can even
remember telling myself that I could NEVER run for the sake of running.  

Funny how God works, eh?  As a result, I'm dedicating my life now to running (something I thought I would never do) - and letting you - the
person feeling symptoms of depression or maybe already diagnosed, know; that you're not alone.  Keep your chin up, get on your sneakers and
if you're not into running, just go for a mile or two walk!  You'll be surprised how much better you feel.

Thanks for stopping by!  Now let's get you feeling better so you can join me on one of these 5k's and eventually a marathon!  
Have a beautiful day! Don't let it get away!          God Bless, Jim  
jim@runoverdepression.com
Thanks For Stopping By!!!

Welcome to "Run Over Depression," the website where together, we can change the world - your
world, and the world of those around us!

It is the goal of "Run Over Depression" to, through competing in distance-runs of 5k - marathon and
beyond to:

1. Help people suffering from depression and other mental illness to feel better.  When you exercise,
your body releases natural SSRI's (what are in most of today's anti-depressants) and makes you feel
better!
(sometimes that's all you need; however in some cases, such as my own, I needed the assistance of anti-depressants
and talk-therapy to help me achieve balance, and sometimes just get out of bed in the morning!!)

2. Make the communities around us aware of mental health illnesses.

3. Remove the stigma behind mental health illnesses; in particular depression.

4. Raise money and awareness for non-profit organizations working toward improving the lives of:
A. People suffering from mental illness.  These include non-profit organizations such as "
Hopeline,"
as well as your local mental health organization.

B. Those less fortunate from the United States and around the world.  This includes organizations
such as the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (
CFCA), CARE , DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade,
Africa),
Second Harvest, and more!

The Opportunities are endless!  Thanks again for stopping by!

On another note, I am most willing to speak with groups about my personal bout with depression, as
well as how I used running to help overcome it!  You can contact me
here.

Have a beautiful day!  Don't let it get away!

God Bless,





Jim "Thunder" Shoopack
"Run Over Depression" Founder/Depression "Survivor" (March 2001 - June 2001)
Distance-Runner to promote awareness of Mental Health Illnesses/Remove Stigma
Guest Speaker on Mental Health Awareness and Overcoming Depression


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AC/DCs "Thunderstruck" is off the
"Razor's Edge" album (c 1990) from
Epic Records.  AC/DC is now signed
by Atlantic Records.  Go to their official
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HOPE
To read Jim's general biography, please
click
here. To read his biography on his
experience with depression, please
click
here.  Finally, to read about Jim's
mission biography (a passion of his),
please click
here.  He is open to
speaking with groups about either!
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ON CURRENT MENTAL
HEALTH RELATED TOPICS!!
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*Treating Depressed Moms Benefits Kids' Mental
Health*
*Learning How to say no can make you happy*