Immersing himself in ice was part of Stuchlik’s self-prescribed therapy to get out of depression. — Photos: Pavel StuchlikUnlike cancer or heart disease where scientific tests can reveal what is wrong, mental health problems are challenging to diagnose and treat.These can have serious and distressing effects on their lives, which may continue for years unless help is sought.An athlete from the Czech Republic, he became a professional road race cyclist at 16.
“I woke up in the hospital. And in addition to the first two diagnoses, the doctors said I also had strep infection, which explained why I always had a sore throat.In his early 20s then, Stuchlik went into depression and had suicidal thoughts because he didn’t know what to do next. “It was not easy, but I had the most profound experience, which told me I had to use music to impact the world,” says Stuchlik, who had dabbled in deejaying when he was 14.
“Suddenly, I had this new personality and was being featured in many US media platforms for being a young entrepreneur. He would spend a week to a month in these places in his search for truth and peace.It was during another 10-day darkroom retreat that Stuchlik found some answers to realigning his life.
“Thankfully, my frame of mind was stronger, so I told my team of three to make use of the opportunity.“We changed the fitness centre into a testing centre and introduced Covid-19 vending machines,” he says.The pandemic also offered a good “break” to transform his body and mind.He says: “I would DJ at a night party, then binge drink the whole night, which was damaging my life and the decisions I made – it was destructive.