RUN OVER DEPRESSION
Why distance-running you ask?  Ah, such a wonderful question!!!  

The primary reason is because through medication and talk-therapy - once I was able to once again achieve that "balance" that was lacking
during the three months leading up to my diagnosis of depression (when I had no clue why I was feeling the way that I was) and the months
following my "diagnosis" during which time I started to feel better, I did a lot of reading on depression - I was going to beat this thing "hell or
highwater" as they say.  In fact, thanks to the wonderful research that is available thanks to the medical world, I read a lot about how exercise,
in particular running, would give one that "runner's high" feeling - confidence, self-esteem, "let me take on the world" sorta feeling that I was
lacking so much.  

Well one day during the summer of 2001, I started to run 1 mile, which led to 2 miles, which finally lead to me training for a "Run Through The
Gap" which took place in the fall of 2002 in Delaware Water Gap, PA.  Then the most "interesting" thing happened.  I LOVED how I felt
following a run.  I would take that opportunity - whether it was a short 15 minute jog or a 5-hour training run - to reflect and essentially be
introspective.  Wow, did it work wonders!!

During the next summer - that of 2003 - I found out about this awesome marathon called the "
Steamtown Marathon" that was being held near
me in Scranton, PA.  A marathon, eh?  26.2 miles/42 km of "all the time running."  Gotta love it!  

I remember being scared out of my wits going into the marathon, although thanks to the greatest supporting group in the world (some of whom
you can see if you click on the
race calendar - seeing their faces throughout the race gave me such an endorphin rush that I complete it!  And
from then on, my "running world" has never been the same....

In 2004 and 2005 I competed in Steamtown; and this past November 2005 ALSO competed in the
Philadelphia Marathon.  

Running has certainly helped me to personally overcome depression - now having been off anti-depressants for close to three years now - I see
running as my new "drug."  

As a result, that's why we're here today.  I have learned on mission trips that I've been blessed to take in the third world and even within the
United States, that we require FOUR things to survive.  1) Your faith in God and in yourself; 2) Your family and friends; 3) Your health 4) Human
Dignity.  Obviously not feeling well mentally means that your mental health is lacking; and that can unfortunately lead you to doubt your faith
in God and yourself.  Heaven forbid that a person feeling depressed would ever take their own life; but if they did, they leave their family and
friends without an awesome person that they cared about, wondering what went wrong.  Finally, I see an attack on mental illness as an attack
on human dignity; because I personally cannot tell you how HAPPY I was to know that how I was feeling 'had a name." So for someone to say
that mental illnesses don't exist and that how I felt wasn't real..... well, that is a SERIOUS attack on human dignity in my opinion.

On a final note; as funny as this may sound - I used to HATE to run.  I was and continue to be a soccer player, but play in the goal.  I can even
remember telling myself that I could NEVER run for the sake of running.  

Funny how God works, eh?  As a result, I'm dedicating my life now to running (something I thought I would never do) - and letting you - the
person feeling symptoms of depression or maybe already diagnosed, know; that you're not alone.  Keep your chin up, get on your sneakers and
if you're not into running, just go for a mile or two walk!  You'll be surprised how much better you feel.

Thanks for stopping by!  Now let's get you feeling better so you can join me on one of these 1 milers, 5k's and eventually a marathon!  
Have a beautiful day! Don't let it get away!          God Bless, Jim  
jim@runoverdepression.com

FOLLOW US = Facebook (RunOverDepression);
Instagram = RunOverDepression;
Twitter = @HelpYouOvercome

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AC/DCs "Thunderstruck" is off the
"Razor's Edge" album (c 1990) from
Epic Records.  AC/DC is now signed
by Atlantic Records.  Go to their official
website by clicking
here.
HOPE
To read Jim's general biography, please
click
here. To read his biography on his
experience with depression, please
click
here.  Finally, to read about Jim's
mission biography (a passion of his),
please click
here.  He is open to
speaking with groups about either!
COULDN'T CATCH
HISTORY CHANNEL'S
RECENT BIO ON
PRESIDENT LINCOLN
AND HIS BOUT WITH
DEPRESSION? BUY IT
HERE
Is your group or
organization looking
for a guest speaker?
Drop me an e-mail
through the "Contact
Us" link and we'll set
something up!
STAY ON TOP OF ALL
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
FROM JIM & "RUN OVER
DEPRESSION" - GET ON
HIS PRESS RELEASE
MAILING LIST TODAY!  
GO TO THE "CONTACT
US" AREA AND GIVE US
YOUR E-MAIL.
KELLY & RUN OVER
DEPRESSION FEATURED
IN THE DAILY TIMES.  
CLICK
HERE FOR MORE!
2016 WILL BE A BIG YEAR for TEAM RUN OVER DEPRESSION!

1.
Ocean Drive (NJ) Marathon well represented by ROD!
This is a point to point marathon beginning in Cape May &
ending in Sea Isle City.  (3/20)


2.
Garden Spot Village (PA) (4/9)





Garden Spot Village begins and ends at Garden Spot Village in New Holland,
PA in beautiful Lancaster County!


3.  
Pocono (PA) "Run for the Red" Marathon. (5/15)

This point to point marathon begins at Pocono West
High School in Pocono Summit, PA and ends at
Stroudsburg High School.

-The above Three would be Jim's 18, 19 & 20th marathons for Mental Health!

4 & 5 - The potential for marathons run in the Mid-Atlantic and/or New England
states in June and July exist.  Please check back for details!  Three in Three
months for certain with the possibility of Five in Five months!!!
HELP ME TO HELP YOU!!  CLICK
BELOW MY PICTURE ON THE
DIFFERENT LINKS TO FIND OUT
MORE INFORMATION ON CURRENT
MENTAL HEALTH RELATED TOPICS!!
*Depressed Young Adults More Likely to
Abuse Substances*
*Exercising Your Demons (Men's Health)*
*Soldiers suffer from stress after coming home*
*Most depressing jobs ranked*
*Elderly at highest risk for suicide*
*Depression may do more damage than diseases*
*Suicide rate jumps for kids, young adults*
*Depression, Obesity Go Hand in Hand*
*Treating Depressed Moms Benefits Kids' Mental
Health*
*Learning How to say no can make you happy*
We are now on FACEBOOK!!  Just do a quick search for "RunOverDepression" and like
us!   We are here to help you!!
Some information on most types of mental illness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) info
Info on PTSD from the National Center for PTSD
Veteran's Talk about their battle with PTSD
LOOK HERE PLEASE!!!!!!

2
016 is hopeful of being the
BIGGEST OF ALL YEARS FOR
RUN OVER DEPRESSION.

Two years ago, we did three
marathons in three months for
mental health awareness.  Last
year we did two marathons in two
months.  

2016 will be different.  Reaching
unprecedented heights - Three
confirmed marathons in Three
months.  Four marathons in Four
months is close to becoming a
reality.  The potential for Five in
Five is very real.

This time, at a soon to be set up
"gofundme" account, I am asking
those who feel called to do so to
please donate to two worthwhile
causes.  

1) raising money for cancer research in
children

2)  raising money to help support a
Pocono Mountains pet rescue from
where the Run Over Depression
Founder "rescued" his dog Sadie.  
More like Sadie rescued him!
 














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Thanks For Stopping By!!!

Welcome to "Run Over Depression," the website where together, we can change the world - your world, and the world of those around us!

It is the goal of "Run Over Depression" to, through competing in distance-runs of 1 mile fun runs, 5k - marathon and beyond to:

1. Help people suffering from depression and other mental illness to feel better.  When you exercise, your body releases natural SSRI's
(what are in most of today's anti-depressants) and makes you feel better!
(sometimes that's all you need; however in some cases, such as my own, I
needed the assistance of anti-depressants and talk-therapy to help me achieve balance, and sometimes just get out of bed in the morning!!)

2. Make the communities around us aware of mental health illnesses.

3. Remove the stigma behind mental health illnesses; in particular depression.

4. Raise money and awareness for non-profit organizations working toward improving the lives of:
A. People suffering from mental illness.  These include non-profit organizations such as "
Hopeline," as well as your local mental health
organization.

B. Those less fortunate from the United States and around the world.  This includes organizations such as the Christian Foundation for
Children and Aging (
CFCA), CARE , DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), Second Harvest, and more!

The Opportunities are endless!  Thanks again for stopping by!

On another note, I am most willing to speak with groups about my personal bout with depression, as well as how I used running to help
overcome it!  You can contact me
here.

Have a beautiful day!  Don't let it get away!

God Bless,








Jim "Thunder" Shoopack
"Run Over Depression" Founder/Depression "Survivor" (March 2001 - June 2001)
Distance-Runner to promote awareness of Mental Health Illnesses/Remove Stigma
Guest Speaker on Mental Health Awareness and Overcoming Depression
In Memory of Run Over Depression friend,
Joseph Gormley.  May he Rest In Peace and
his adventurous and kind spirit continue to
inspire us all, yet those in particular who
choose to help improve the lives of those
around us.