Tom
Larry
Doing the Circle of Control v Circle of Concern Exercise, “I notched up 32 concerns, 10 of which I could do nothing about. Made a matrix for the control circle from the headings you gave me and have started working on them straight away. It’s a brilliant exercise Darren, putting all those concerns on paper gives you a chance to look at what is bothering you, and gives you a chance to see exactly what you can change, and what you can’t. Glad to be able to support someone Darren, however little it may be, I know form experience it is good to get it form as many people as possible. So glad I joined this group mate, I feel like I am getting my head sorted in some way now.”
Anonymous
“Hi Darren, I just want to let you know that, since joining Kaizen, participating in gym sessions and reading your material on mental health, I have begun to change my outlook on many aspects of my life, both physically and mentally.
I don’t know where you got the energy, drive and mental capacity to start a group like this, but I personally am so glad you did. I still have a bit to go, and I know the fight continues, but I have better tools to carry on that fight now. It is no exaggeration to say you have helped change my way of looking at my life and how I go about doing things. Joining the group is the best thing I have done for myself in years. Keep up the excellent work mate, cheers!”
Paul
“I’ve known Daz for over twenty five years having served together in the same regiment. Over two years ago I saw that he was speaking on social media about fitness, mental health and how that the two go hand in hand together. I thought I’d give it a go and went to one of the classes. I’ve been going ever since! Not only do you get a decent workout, afterwards you are then taught ways to cope with the stresses of modern life, personal issues along with ways to focus on yourself. Daz will even stay behind afterwards when everyone else has left and gladly have a chat with you if there is something that you want to get off your chest. Daz taught me that an event that had occurred a few years previously was in fact grief and not anger that was consuming me whenever I thought about it. I now look at it differently and have moved forward with it. Even prompting me to go on and further develop my own knowledge around the Kaizen ethos and what he is teaching. The physical training is built around varied abilities, which is good due to the different ages that attend. There are alway alternative exercises for those of us with older knees, showing that Daz is conscious that not everyone is at the same level of fitness. Being part of Kaizen has without sounding cheesy given me a sense of purpose, being a member of a group that is not just there for each other but will also give back to the wider community that may need help on occasion. This being one of the Kaizen ways. For those wanting something more than just turning up to a circuit class, getting sweaty then going home should really have a look at Kaizen. Having been going all this time it’s easy to see why Daz is so passionate about Kaizen in everything that he does for it and all those involved in whatever capacity. Well done Daz!”
Anonymous
“I joined Kaizen because I was struggling with anxiety and depression. From the first session with Darren Holmes I felt I had finally found a platform to help me with my mental health, along with a physical programme that was suited to me. The gym sessions certainly test you, but you go at your own pace and Darren is always there to advise you on techniques and use of gym equipment. There is always a friendly atmosphere in the gym, everyone just seems to get on so well. Being part of Kaizen has given me a platform to help with my mental health, along with a chance to improve my physical fitness. It has shown me how the two combine to give me an opportunity to improve my life. Since I have joined Kaizen, I have learned techniques in breathing and stretching exercises which really help me cope with any stress or anxiety in my everyday life. I have found Darren to be very approachable if I have any questions and very knowledgeable in matters of physical and mental wellbeing. I would thoroughly recommend anyone struggling with a mental health issue to join Kaizen wellness. It has helped me to change my attitude and the way I feel about myself, and with the wealth of information on the Kaizen website, it has given me tools to cope with my issues.”
Brian
“I’ve been a member of Kaizen for over 2 years now and the opportunity to get involved came about at just the right time for me as I was going through a difficult period and having a somewhere that I could go and find support and learn strategies to help me to manage during this period was huge. The added bonus of the platform is the support and friendships that you build with the other people in the group, we are all genuinely there to help and support each other which is brilliant. I’d definitely recommend the platform to anyone that is looking for tools and strategies to help them to better deal with the stressful situations that we find ourselves having to manage and overcome on a regular basis, I’ve seen the positive impact that it has had on me over the time I’ve been involved and I’d love to see others benefit from that too.”
Testimonials
Catherine
I came to Kaizen originally to rent the gym space; I had not long left the British Army, and I was trying to make it within the fitness world.
I had my struggles during my time in the Army, with the mentality that I could not show stress or weakness. When I left the Army, I did not feel I belonged anywhere, I did not fit in and no-one understood my ‘ways’. Having served 10 years, I had travelled far and wide, but the most triggering was Afghanistan Op Toral 8. There were many occasions and situations that I relived over and over, consistently asking myself ‘what if’ I did not have the answers and I knew I would not be able to get those answers. I was struggling to sleep, go out to the shops without feeling on edge or on high alert ready to jump into action at any given point, I struggled socialising but mostly I struggled to talk to people about what I was thinking or feeling, through the fear of judgment that I was this tough soldier. I also struggled to accept that I am a Veteran, I was fearful that those Veterans who had served through the worse times in history would put me down or tell me I was not a real Veteran.
All the above became too much for me to handle and I had reached my breaking point, having already previously gone through a breakdown I knew I had to speak up. I spoke with Darren, and he invited me to the Veteran and Blue lights service that he provides on a Tuesday and Thursday as I was on sick leave from my current place of work, I attended both sessions for a month. During that time, I spoke about the deepest, darkest moments with Darren, and he made it make sense, he helped me seek the answers I needed by digging deeper into myself. Working through the Poly Vagal nervous system, he helped me understand why I would respond the way I was and how to overcome those stress responses. He taught me the importance of accountability with myself, and others close to me, enabling me to find the strength within me to push through emotional dysregulation with positive outcomes.
The physical sessions Darren does are second to none, he educates while giving us a ‘blow out’, pushing us to be 1% better always.
I am now back at work and because of how positively impactful the sessions are I have made it part of my conditions that I can attend at least one of the sessions a week, to keep accountable and to work through everyday life.
These sessions have changed my life dramatically, for the better. I was lost and isolated myself to avoid contact with others, now I can regulate myself, recognise triggers and respond to those triggers positively through the various coping strategies Darren has taught me over the last several months. I highly recommend these sessions to anyone struggling, I honestly don’t have enough words to explain just how amazing Darren has been throughout, he has a wealth of knowledge and an abundant amount of life experience to help others in similar situations.
I cannot thank Darren enough for how he has helped me and continues to help me.
John
Like so many men, I have tried many different gyms and even some PTs over the years (probably getting on for 30 now!). I have rarely stuck at them because I need motivation.
Over this time, I realised, and my wife confirms, that I am generally in a better frame of mind, happier, and nicer to be around, when I am going to the gym regularly.
Bumping into Darren over a drink with friends and chatting about the mind & body connection and keeping fit with mental wellbeing modalities, Darren invited me to join Kaizen. Initially I baulked at the early start but, also like most men, I decided I wasn’t going to let the thought of getting up early a couple of times a week stop me from giving it a go. That was in October 2022, and I am still loving it.
It isn’t just the feel-good factor of exercise that has kept me there, it is the strong camaraderie within the group coupled with the constantly changing, and challenging nature of the circuit training we do. Add to this the support we give each other, both in training and outside of the gym - I know I have a great band of people who will be there if I need them.
Last August was my first Tyre Flip and, although I was due to be away for the weekend, I didn’t want to let the side down and so came home a day early and told all my friends about it. Raising so much money for mental health on Wirral was close to my heart.
During the past year Darren has grown the concept of delivering this unique form of blended physical and mental health and wellbeing and achieved CIC status and so I jumped at the chance to join the Kaizen Leadership Team; this means that I am not only benefiting myself from being part or the Kaizen Family but I am giving back to the community and enabling others to benefit through fund raising so we can deliver even more.