By Kristen Maloney
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
With each weight he lifts, Rob Fessock moves one step closer to conquering his daily battle with depression and PTSD.
Fessock, a retired major in the U.S. Army and Baltimore native, has seen significant improvement in his mental state since participating in the Catch A Lift program at Anytime Fitness in Timonium.
Catch A Lift is a national non-profit organization that provides veterans with gym memberships to work out their mental wounds, including depression, anxiety and PTSD.
“I could stay in the house and drink beer all day but that’s not going help me,” Fessock said. “I have to get out and exercise and do something with my life in order to feel better and get out of that negative state of mind.”
Fessock was diagnosed with PTSD and depression a few months after retiring. That all changed about a year ago when he learned of the Catch A Lift program from his friend, a fellow war veteran.
“I started working out four days a week and doing marathons for Catch A Lift,” Fessock said. “It’s been a huge help for my mental stability. It has kept me at bay with my depression, anger and trouble sleeping.”
Lynn Coffland, a Timonium native, founded the Catch A Lift program after her brother, Cpl. Chris Coffland, died while serving as a soldier in Afghanistan. The organization is a dedication to his life and service to his country.
“I wanted to be able to give something back,” Coffland said. “These veterans risked their lives for us. The least we can do is help them try to live a normal life when they come home.”
After they return home from serving in Afghanistan or Iraq, over 20 percent of veterans have some type of depression or PTSD, Coffland said. Of these 20 percent, over half go untreated.
With this high percentage of veterans with mental instability and funding stemming solely from donations, Catch A Lift created an application process and a set of requirements to receive help.
“They go through a screening process during which we can evaluate each veteran individually,” said Linda Rubeor, an assistant at the Catch A Lift office in Timonium. “They are required to have a mental or physical combat wound. Once they send their information in and make it through our waiting period, they are signed up for a year.”
While the Catch A Lift program is available throughout gyms in 49 out of 50 states across the country, the Anytime Fitness in Timonium acts as its top ambassador, Jonathan Venuti, regional director for Anytime Fitness, said.
“I believe in this program,” Venuti said. “All veterans deserve to be able to work out their emotions and frustrations. If I can give back to them in any way, I’m all for it!”
Although the struggle with PTSD, depression and anxiety is constant for some veterans, Catch A Lift gives them the opportunity to change their lives for the better, Fessock said.
“You have to be consistent and committed to it,” Fessock said. “You have to take care of yourself outside of the gym too, including no alcohol.”
“If I can help someone who’s struggling with depression or PTSD, I will have done my job,” Coffland said. “I know that Chris would have wanted this.”
The issues veterans have with their mental health and stability is a crucial yet sensitive reality that Coffland and Catch A Lift have worked towards improving one weight at a time.
“I still have my ups and downs with depression and anxiety, but Catch A Lift has made me a happier, more functional person,” Fessock said. “I don’t know where I would be today without it.”
To donate to or learn more about the Catch A Lift program, visit their website here.