"Men's mental health isn't talked about enough in Derry" - Darren McCauley opens up on his decision to do #1YearNoBeer
TRIP OF A LIFETIME The 27-year-old, who has been with Coleraine for four years, travelled to Dharamshala in India last month for an intense 200-hour yoga teacher training course. With yoga playing a major role in his life, it’s an experience that he said was truly life-changing. “Physically and mentally – it’s the toughest thing that I’ve ever done,” the Gobnascale man admitted. “You’re surrounded by people all the time and it’s difficult, but it was without doubt the best thing I have ever done. I pushed myself beyond anything I have ever experienced. “I had so many thoughts beforehand about what people would say – would they think I was crazy? Would they say that’s not something a footballer should be doing? I just had to forget about that, and I’m so proud looking back. He continued: “I would encourage others that have that voice of fear within them and that have experienced those same feelings not to listen to it and to go towards your positive thoughts. Having courage is so tough, but to anyone who is thinking of doing the same thing and is being held back – just go for it.” With that teaching qualification under his belt, the Coleraine winger is now looking ahead to a new chapter in his life – both on and off the pitch. “Yoga and meditation have been such a big help to me mentally in terms of dealing with depression and anxiety and becoming the person that I want to be. I really benefit from it because it takes away my limitations and it has expanded my awareness,” explained the 27-year-old. “Now I’m starting to say, ‘why don’t I deserve to be the best I can be as a footballer and as a person?’ Through meditation I’ve been able to open those doors and going forward I think my football and yoga will really tie in with one another. It’s easy to relate the two, so they work in conjunction. I’ve been offered a job as yoga teacher as well, so I’m excited for the future," he concluded. Anyone interested in receiving football or yoga sessions from Darren can contact him on Facebook at ‘Darren McCauley Fitness’ or on Instagram at ‘ayogifootballer’.