Aggression Sessions to host ‘Keeping Fitness Healthy’ webinar on mental wellbeing

The free event will see speakers promote the importance of both physical and mental health in sport


The first in a proposed series of webinars hosted by this year’s Aggression Sessions team is set to take place tomorrow evening.

The event, entitled “Keeping Fitness Healthy”, aims to promote the importance of fitness not only on physical health and wellbeing, but also on one’s mental health and body image. Taking on the form of a panel discussion, four guest speakers will offer their take on why exercise is crucial to a healthy mindset.

More on the event’s speakers can be found below:

George Mycock

George Mycock. Image via Instagram @myo_minds

A recent Durham alumnus graduating with a BA in Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity, before receiving a Masters in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough, George Mycock is the founder of Myominds. An online community launched to shed light on mental health issues and stress surrounding sport and exercise, Myominds has become a platform to share information on the importance of mental health education, as well as testimonies from people looking to share their experiences and bring discussions of mental health to the mainstream.

The founding of Myominds follows George’s own lived experiences with poor mental health following a spinal injury sustained at a young age. An incident which prompted his own interest in the mental health of exercisers, now Myominds runs a successful podcast, hosting regular guest speakers with expertise and personal experience on the topic.

Lara Rebecca

Lara Rebecca. Image via Instagram @lara__rebecca

Lara Rebecca is a YouTuber, and the host of the “Keep Smiling” podcast. Focusing chiefly on fitness, mental health and eating disorder awareness, Lara brings in her own prior experiences with anorexia nervosa, anxiety and depression, in order to promote the importance of psychological wellbeing as a component of a healthy, happy lifestyle.

Luke Fullbrook

Luke Fullbrook. Image via Instagram @fullstrength001

An international strongman competitor based in Stoke, Luke Fullbrook works as a personal trainer with both professional and non-professional athletes.

Having formerly spoken about his own adversities in the field, coping with the extreme comparisons associated with being a strength athlete, as well as previous experiences with bullying and suicide within the family, Luke now avidly promotes the importance of a healthy mindset as a complement to physical strength.

Leah Newton

Leah Newton. Image via Instagram @workedoutcampaign

Leah Newton is an occupational therapist and co-founder of the workEDout campaign. Aimed at fitness professionals, the campaign seeks to prompt conversations on eating disorders, and equip trainers with the tools and advice they need to support clients experiencing them.

Matt Reel, a fourth year Maths student and Vice President of this year’s Aggression Sessions, told The Durham Tab: “This year, in light of the global pandemic, we at Aggression Sessions knew we needed to introduce a new event with the goal of educating young people about keeping fitness healthy. We are continued supporters of Papyrus, the UK charity aimed at prevention of youth suicide.

“We have chosen the title “Keeping Fitness Healthy” as we know a lot of young people use exercise as a tool to maintain a good mental health and wish to help people who may be struggling due to restrictions in training due to the lockdown.

“We shall be discussing the positives and negatives of social media in regards to fitness, with panel hosts sharing personal stories and advice on dealing with eating disorders and exercise addiction.”

The webinar is free to attend, and open to all.

“Keeping Fitness Healthy” will take place tomorrow, Tuesday 30th March at 6pm. More information on the event can be found here.