New Jersey Man Helps People Around The Country Deal With Depression

A man from New Jersey is traveling the country in the hopes of doing something good to help people deal with depression.

Tim Manthey said all it took was one punch on a punching bag and he felt an instant relief from his depression.

Now, he’s dedicated his life to helping others find the same healing.

"The first time that I hit that bag, I felt a physical release of things that I could not put into words because there were no words for them," said Manthey, who started “Sack Life.”

When he noticed some of his symptoms of depression go away, he knew it wasn’t something he could keep to himself.

"I saw it impacting lives like my friends, my family, people that I didn't know,” said Manthey. “I saw it doing, making massive positive change, so it's more like I had to share it. Like, how could I keep this to myself? It's saved my life and allows me to continue to save my life for 1,087 days."

He holds virtual technique classes each day, with the goal of helping other people.   

His students said they were attracted to the daily routine.

"The consistency that he had, because he's on there every day, and it was just something that I saw that could definitely help snap out of whatever situation I am in,” said Brett Collins, who trains with Manthey. “He comes on everyday at 5 [p.m.] regardless if it was a bad day I would show up with him at 5 and I would just start hitting the bag.”

Collins said the punching bag has helped him in ways nothing else could.

"But there's just something special about hitting that bag,” said Collins. “About being angry about the world, about being angry about situations, whenever you hit that bag, you feel that weight come off your shoulders.”

Manthey hopes people who are struggling with depression will find an outlet, whatever that might be.

"To find the tools that work for you,” said Manthey. “Find the mental health tools that work for you as an individual, because we're all individuals and we all resonate with different things."

Manthey will spend the rest of this month training in Tulsa, both virtually and in person. All of his classes are free.

For more information about the classes Manthey hosts or to donate to his cause, you can visit https://www.sacklifeofficial.com/.