Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 10
Growing up Manen Jamir was always the “brilliant student and an academic success,” not until he reached his eighth and ninth standard. From an outspoken and active one, he slowly became an introvert and reserved person. His school grades also dropped and most of the time he was confined to the four walls of his room.
The worried family tried everything they could in their strength to intervene and help Manen to overcome his “personal struggles.”
“Anxiety and depression were taking over him. Our entire family tried to get all sorts of help but nothing was working. We were even misguided by superstitions assumptions making the issue even worse,” recollects Imcha Jamir, one of his cousin brothers.
It came to light only later that Manen had been bullied and ragged during his high school days. “In order to escape from the bullies and the trauma, he started to hide from everyone. It was a very difficult time for his loved ones and we almost gave up all hope,” Imcha adds.
Around the year 2015, things started to take a fresh turn. Manen was slowly getting back to his active personality and becoming less socially awkward. His miracle came in the form of his younger brother Rongpangnichet and their passion for fitness.
“I was always into fitness and so I started working out inside the room,” shares twenty-six year old Manen. “My brother was always there to encourage me. He started to drag me out of the room to go the gym and gradually the workout helped me to regain my confidence and self-esteem. I met people in the gym who are now my friends,” Manen says in a grateful note.
“His brother is the strongest pillar for Manen. He never gave up on him,” adds Imcha while bearing witness that the young lad was slowly rebuilding relationship with his family and making friends. “We could see that the workout and going to the gym was helping Manen overcome the depression. It was the greatest blessing from God for our family,” Imcha notes.
With the new found self-belief and dream to “pursue something” meaningful in life, Manen has opened “Iron Ground” gym located at Immarong II, Lane 5 near Sangtam Church, Duncan Basti, Dimapur.
With the support of his parents and relatives, Manen hopes to make “Iron Ground” a place of healing and rebuilding young people facing depression. With the aim to reach out to more people in need, the membership fees are also minimal.
“Fitness is not just about the physical but it is also about the mental. It should be part of our daily life,” the fitness enthusiast affirms.
