Depression and PTSD Recovery Journey: From Darkness to Growth with Paul Marlow

What happens when everything you thought defined you suddenly crumbles? For Paul Marlowe, a former professional athlete and personal trainer, the losses of a parent and a relationship, combined with anxiety and PTSD, led to years of depression and an inability to feel joy.

In this conversation, Paul shares the reality of living with depression—the nights filled with racing thoughts, mornings curled up crying in the shower, and the daily effort of faking wellness just to get by. But his story doesn’t stop there. Paul also opens up about how he began to rebuild: creating morning routines, embracing therapy, prioritizing sleep and nutrition, and—most importantly—learning to speak honestly with himself and others.

His journey is a reminder that while depression can strip us down, it can also create the space for a stronger, more authentic self to emerge.

Paul Marlow's Never Alone site: https://weareneveralone.co/

Primary Topics Covered:

• How grief, PTSD, and anxiety combined to trigger Paul’s depression
• What depression’s “loss of joy” (anhedonia) really feels like
• The hidden toll of faking wellness while struggling inside
• The impact of holidays and seasonal triggers on depression
• How Paul rebuilt his life through therapy, routines, and lifestyle changes
• The role of honesty—with oneself and others—in recovery
• Why he now views failure as growth instead of defeat

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and welcome
 01:03 - Terry shares a story about stigma in depression stereotypes
 02:33 - Introducing Paul Marlowe and his background in sports
 03:36 - Paul’s descent into depression after major life losses
 04:36 - Daily reality of anxiety, sleepless nights, and morning breakdowns
 06:10 - Hiding depression in public and faking wellness
 07:17 - Anhedonia: the inability to feel joy
 09:05 - The “old Paul” versus the person he is today
 10:34 - Growth through vulnerability, failure, and honesty
 11:45 - Seasonal depression triggers during the holidays
 13:03 - Building new habits: therapy, routines, sleep, and nutrition
 14:22 - How honesty with himself fueled lasting change
 16:23 - Reflection on stripping away old facades and rebuilding authentically
 17:23 - Bridget and Terry’s reflections on Paul’s journey
 18:00 - Upcoming webinar on mindful self-compassion
 19:00 - Closing thoughts and resources

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options at recovery.com
Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/GivingVoiceToDepression/
Terry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/givingvoicetodepression/