RICHARD Fogarty has seen all types of men step into his gyms over the years, each battling their demons.
Some might be struggling with substance abuse, alcohol, anger issues, gambling or going through a relationship breakdown.
Some are former athletes who just require new social connections.
Finding an outlet is often the first step.
"People come in and they go, 'I'm a bit embarrassed and I'm going through some stuff', and I get them on the boxing bag or slapping tyres and then they start feeling a part of it and they start opening up," Fogarty said.
"It's more of a mechanism or a tool to use for these guys to open up and just minimise the suicides."
Combining physical fitness and mental health is proving popular too.
At least 60 men and boys, from primary school-age to middle-age, turned out on Sunday for the grand opening of Fogarty's Bro Fit gym in the Steel River industrial estate at Mayfield West.
The opening featured free classes, fitness demonstrations and talks from the likes of Lake Macquarie's Todd Ennis, the brother of NRL star turned Fox Sports commentator Michael Ennis.
Todd Ennis has endured his own battles with drugs, the law and family breakdown and has since turned his life around through fitness.
He runs his own wellness and mentoring business, Love Ya Mind Australia and has launched a podcast.
UFC fighters Tai "Bam Bam" Tuivasa, Ross Pearson and James Te Huna, who co-owns the original Bro Fit gym in Penrith, were also among the special guests on Sunday.
The quietly-spoken Tuivasa cut a unique figure as he stood cradling his five-week-old miniature poodle, Snuggle, while men lifted weights and hit tractor tyres with sledgehammers around him.
"Fighting has helped me release a certain thing," Tuivasa said. "It's kept me good, I suppose, and out of trouble.
"It's a great aspect [Bro Fit]. Boys being with boys. Boys helping boys."
The 31-year-old is ranked No.12 in the UFC heavyweight division, but has endured five consecutive defeats over the past two years to leave his career record at 15 wins and 8 losses.
"There's the highest of highs and lowest of lows with fighting," he said.
"I suppose if you're surrounded by good people then everything will work out. That's all it's about and that's what Bro Fit is about as well - being around like-minded men."
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