Transform Your Body, Mind & Life at MHEC-Fest 2025!
Which Of The Following Applies To You?
Do you ever struggle with your mental health, and think about what life would look like if you had limitless energy, confidence and body image pride?
Do you ever wonder how it would feel to be fit, healthy and proud of the person staring back at you in the mirror?
Exercise is one of the best tools to transform your mental health, yet exercise classes can often be intimidating and nerve-racking.
The one place where you can improve your anxiety – the gym – can often be a source of new anxiety.
As Stirling's only Mental Health Gym, it is our mission to make exercise more manageable and accessible, and help people become more confident in their own skin.
Rather than just using exercise as a tool to help people ‘look good’ , we use exercise to help people ‘feel good’!
That’s why on Saturday 26th April 2025, the U.K.'s ONLY Mental Health & Exercise Festival is returning for it's second year, due to popular demand!
MHEC-Fest is a free fitness festival that is taking place in approximately 20 locations all over the U.K. this April (including Stirling, Scotland, the birthplace of MHEC)
The goal of MHEC-Fest is to help more people to take up fitness in a safe and supportive environment, and to remove some of the many barriers to exercise, such as:
Gym anxiety.
Body image issues.
Fear of looking foolish or unfit at a class.
Not feeling as if PT’s or gym staff understand you on an emotional level.
Health advice being contradicting and confusing.
Feeling too stressed.
Being a busy parent.
Not knowing who to speak to, what class to join or in general, where to start.
And a big one… COST.
MHEC-Fest is going to remove these barriers, so that you can take up exercise in an accessible environment, alongside others who are looking to begin a health and wellness journey.
At MHEC-Fest you’ll be shown a short, fun, energising workout, and be taught:
The links between exercise and positive mental health.
How to use exercise to improve your confidence, self-worth and resilience.
How to make exercise fun and manageable, rather than difficult and confusing.
How you can build skills that you can transfer to every-day life so that your mood and personal relationships improve.
How to exercise in a way that boosts your daily productivity and positivity!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"This gym saved my life" - Ash
A recent poll has found that 93% of people looking to start an exercise journey would rather hire an MHEC Coach, than a PT that has no MHEC training...
This is your opportunity to be taught exercise for free, alongside fellow members of your community.
I know this may still seem nerve-racking, but overcoming these nerves and transforming your confidence is the exact reason why this event is a must-attend for you!
Your event details for MHEC-Fest 2025:
📆 Saturday 26th April 2025
⏰ 10am - 1pm
📍 The MHEC Gym, 151 John Player Building, STEP, Stirling, FK7 7RP
Everyone is welcome, especially kids (for more FAQ’s, simply make your way to the bottom of this page, where you will also find your pre-exercise waiver).
To secure your free space, please fill out the following form.
You must fill out this form and agree to the waiver if you wish to join us on the day:
Frequently Asked Questions
🙋🏻♂️ Q: How long will MHEC-Fest last?
🗣️ A: The event will run for 3 hours on Saturday 26th April 2025, 10am-1pm.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: Where is it being held?
🗣️ A: In 2024, MHEC-Fest was in over 20 locations across the U.K. by Certified Mental Health & Exercise Coaches! This year, we’re hoping to make it bigger and better than ever. Your 2025 MHEC-Fest is taking place in Stirling.
🙋🏻♂️ Q: Can I bring my kids?
🗣️ A: Absolutely! One of the biggest barriers to exercise is childcare, plus we want to be teaching our young ones healthy exercise habits from an early age! Please just make sure that you let us know who’s attending using the sign-up form, and if there’s any additional information that we need to be aware of.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: My fitness levels aren’t the best, can I still come?
🗣️ A: All fitness levels are welcome. The short workout that will be shown to you only lasts 30 minutes, and it will consist of simple exercises that are easy to do. Previous exercise experience isn’t required!
🙋🏻♂️ Q: I have exercise before and am fairly fit, is this still suitable for me?
🗣️ A: Of course! The workout is tailored towards all fitness levels, meaning no matter your strength or endurance, we’ll make this class the perfect ‘challenging but achievable’ class for you! Plus, the educational talk that I’ll be delivering will be of benefit to everyone.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: Do I have to exercise?
🗣️ A: I’ll never ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. However, if I feel like you’re maybe holding yourself back I will encourage participation, but only if you feel up to it. You’re more than welcome to sit back and watch, or simply accompany a friend or family member who wishes to participate.
🙋🏻♂️ Q: I have an injury, can I still come along?
🗣️ A: Yes, you can! We may advise alternative exercises for you, or recommend that you sit the class out. Fear not, MHEC-Fest is just as much about education as it is exercise, so you’ll have loads to take away with you even if you don’t take part in the exercise part.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: Do I have to talk about my mental health?
🗣️ A: This is a safe space to talk about your mental health, and this will be the reason that many people attend. You’ll never be forced to talk, and you may benefit simply from sitting back and listening to your fellow attendees talking. If you have nothing you wish to share, please do not worry, the act of listening to others share is a really beneficial and rewarding experience.
🙋🏻♂️ Q: What are your credentials?
🗣️ A: I am a Mental Health & Exercise Coach, meaning that I am trained in the ability to help people improve their mental health through exercise. Whilst I am not a licensed mental health professional, I am trained in the practice of IET (informal Exercise Therapy), which is a process that encourages people to talk about their mental health during or directly after exercise. Although I hold greater capabilities than the average fitness professional, I do also have limitations, and may suggest referring you to speak to a mental health professional or seek another form of mental health support if I believe this is necessary for your health and well-being. I am also First Aid trained.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: What if I feel really nervous?
🗣️ A: Feeling nervous is totally natural! You might want to back out now, or the morning of the event. Just remember that the feeling of anxiety is very close to the feeling of excitement. I can guarantee you that most attendees will be in the same boat, including me! Remind yourself that giving you the tools to overcome your nerves and anxiety is the whole reason why this event has been created in the first place.
🙋🏻♂️ Q: What if I’m only free for part of the event?
🗣️ A: If you can only attend for the first hour or two, that’s no problem. However, unfortunately you cannot attend the event late or miss the introduction. This is to ensure that you are safely looked after and that you understand the event’s agenda.
🙋🏻♀️ Q: Can I just drop in on the day?
🗣️ A: Again, for safety reasons, this is not possible. I’d love to allow drop ins, but this would mean that I don’t know anything about your fitness levels or background, meaning I can’t support you. Everyone who is attending must read and agree to the safety waiver, as well as submit their attendance (plus a few personal details!) in the attached sign-up form.
🙋🏻♂️ Q: Can I bring a friend along with me?
🗣️ A: Please bring as many friends or family members as possible. The more people who benefit from this event, the better. Please just make sure that they also submit their attendance using the sign-up form.
MHEC-Fest Waiver
Confidentiality.
All information you give me will be kept in confidence. Your personal details and medical information will not be made available to third parties unless permission to do so is granted by you.
Recommendations.
Using my judgment and experience, I will suggest certain exercises and other lifestyle advice that I believe will help you achieve your personal goals.
Disclosure of information.
Please disclose all health information as requested on your sign-up form and keep me updated and informed of any changes to your health status. This includes all medical conditions; physical and mental, injuries, allergies, and medication you are taking. If necessary, you may need to seek clearance from your doctor before participation in the exercise class at MHEC-Fest.
Accepting potential risks.
Whilst for most people exercise is hugely positive with many health benefits, there remains some risk that I require you to be aware of. By agreeing to this waiver, you are accepting that you are aware that exercise can cause:
Dizziness
Nausea
Breathlessness
Fatigue
Aches and pains
Muscle soreness
Acute and chronic injury
High heart rate
My professional obligation to you.
I am a trained Mental Health & Exercise Coach, meaning that I am trained in the ability to help people improve their mental health through exercise. Whilst I am not a licensed mental health professional, I am trained in the practice of IET (informal Exercise Therapy), which is a process that encourages people to talk about their mental health during or directly after exercise. Although I hold greater capabilities than the average fitness professional, I do also have limitations, and may suggest referring you to speak to a mental health professional or seek another form of mental health support if I believe this is necessary for your health and well-being. I am also First Aid trained.
Videography, photography and distribution of content.
Videos and photos will be taken throughout the day at MHEC-Fest. By agreeing to this waiver, you are in acceptance of this content being captured and shared on social media for marketing purposes without compensation. Images will not be used for any other purpose that marketing MHEC-Fest on my social media channels, nor distributed elsewhere. If you do not wish imagery to be captured of yourself or a fellow participant (for example a child), please state this in your sign-up form.
Attendance.
If you are unable to attend, you agree to let me know at your earliest possible convenience so that I am fully aware of the number of participants taking part.
The MHEC Gym
151 John Player Building
STEP
Stirling
FK7 7RP
