Finding The Missing Piece: Mindfulness, Running and Mental Health

The “one big breakthrough” story is a myth. Nita Sweeney shows how tiny, repeatable actions - a five-minute walk, a short meditation, one page of writing - can become a lifeline when depression, anxiety, or burnout makes everything feel impossible.Host Favour sits down with Nita Sweeney, award-winning author, mindfulness coach, meditation teacher, mental health advocate, and ultra-marathoner, for a deeply human conversation about healing that actually fits real life. Nita shares how a random social media post, a hesitant first run, and a willingness to try something she’d never done before helped her find a missing piece in her mental health journey.You’ll discover:- Why “depression hates a moving target” is more than a slogan- How Couch to 5K became the doorway to confidence, community, and longer distances- The role meditation played in easing stress, pain, anxiety, and reactivity- How running can become a moving meditation, not just exercise- Why journaling and free writing help process emotions when your mind feels stuckNita also opens up about the limits of self-help and the importance of professional care, especially when mental illness becomes severe. Her honesty makes this episode especially valuable for anyone who has tried to “think” their way out of pain and needs a gentler, more practical path forward.If you’re looking for realistic support, not quick fixes, this conversation offers a grounded framework for building resilience through movement, mindfulness, and self-expression. Essential listening for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to make one small change that could shift everything.Connect with Nita via her website https://nitasweeney.com/ she’s also on instagram https://instagram.com/nitasweeney as well as LinkeIn https://linkedin.com/in/nitasweeney