Turning Pain Into Purpose

Derek Gallup knows first-hand the challenges many face with mental illness. A fitness industry veteran and the former executive vice president of UFC Gym, Gallup endured a series of personal losses during the Covid pandemic. Among them was Carla, his wife of 30 years, who lost her battle with mental illness, her life ending with suicide in 2022. Along with Derek, Carla is survived by the couple’s children, daughter Christina and son Tyler.

In 2023, Gallup established SPARKLE–the Carla Gallup Foundation. SPARKLE is an acronym for Suicide Prevention through Activity, Relaxation, Kindness, Laughter, and Education. Physical activity is central to SPARKLE’s approach to addressing the challenges of mental wellness, and Gallup has partnered with many in the fitness industry to build a program that provides resources and education to help those in need.

Gallup is now vice president of consulting services for fibr, a digital fitness community platform, and works with other industry groups, including the Health & Fitness Association, as a consultant. (Gallup is a former chair of the HFA board of directors.) As he continues his work with SPARKLE to raise awareness of the challenges of mental illness, he shares his perspective on the growing importance of mental health within the fitness world, the power of community, and innovative approaches to holistic well-being.

MENTAL HEALTH IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TOPIC IN THE HEALTH AND FITNESS INDUSTRY. HOW SHOULD THE INDUSTRY APPROACH THE TOPIC?

The first thing is recognizing the undeniable connection between physical and mental health. For too long, we’ve focused almost exclusively on physical well-being. If we’re truly going to embrace wellness, we must address the mental component.

People are becoming more aware of this connection, and there’s a growing comfort level in discussing mental health. It’s about proactively improving mental health before it reaches a crisis point. We need to create a culture where talking about mental health is as normal as discussing fitness goals.

THE MENTAL WELLBEING ASSOCIATION (MWA) HAS CREATED A TRAINING PROGRAM TO HELP ADDRESS MENTAL WELLNESS. DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO GROW THE AWARENESS OF THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH?

Absolutely. I’m closely involved with Vic and Lynne Brick from the MWA now, and I’m certified as a Mental Well-being Coach through them. You’re starting to see more certifications emerge. Beyond the Mental Wellbeing Association, there’s another one called My Steady Mind, which offers Mental Fitness Coach certification. These resources are becoming more accepted, and I believe people will increasingly look to their fitness facilities for guidance on how to positively impact their mental health.

They’ll want staff who can talk openly about addressing areas of depression and anxiety, whether for themselves, clients, members, or team members. Especially when you’re someone who’s had experience with mental illness personally or with loved ones, that’s when certifications like the Mental Well-Being Coach really speak to you.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHYSICAL RECOVERY MODALITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS?

One of the first recovery modalities we introduced at UFC Gym was cryotherapy. Initially, we thought it was great because it helps reduce inflammation and aid with physical recovery.

But one of the side benefits—which I now consider the primary benefit— is what it does for mental fortitude. The experience of putting yourself through a treatment that doesn’t necessarily feel good, but then experiencing the increases in dopamine and adrenaline afterward, develops your ability to face challenges in daily life. It started as a physical modality but became a powerful tool for mental health as well.

DO YOU SEE THIS AFFECTING OVERALL COGNITIVE HEALTH BEYOND MOOD AND DEPRESSION?

Absolutely. From my personal experience, one thing I do during cryotherapy is focus on my breathing. I’ll use box breathing or different Wim Hof techniques to get through it.

Your ability to focus during these sessions translates outside the cryochamber. Whether it’s controlled breathing or remaining still, these practices really help with focus throughout your day. With our phones, social media, and constant internet access, our attention spans have become so short. Focused breathing and cold exposure treatments work on your physical health, mental health, and especially focus, which is a huge component of cognitive function.

DO YOU THINK FITNESS FACILITIES SHOULD OFFER SPECIFIC PACKAGES
FOR MENTAL HEALTH, OR KEEP IT UNDER THE RECOVERY UMBRELLA?

We’re moving in that direction. As more certified coaches and trainers emerge in these areas, it can become a message that facilities lead with. The biggest challenge is how to market it. May is Mental Health Month, January is Mental Wellbeing Month, and the Saturday before Thanksgiving is Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. There are mental health days, weeks, and months throughout the year that facilities can use as focal points to rally members and team members and create comfort in discussing these issues.

It’s becoming more accepted to talk openly about mental health, though stigma still exists. As recovery becomes a focus, people are understanding that whether it’s cold therapy, heat treatments, red light therapy, massage, compression, meditation, or yoga— these aren’t just for physical recovery but for mental health recovery as well.

People approach recovery—whether it be cold, heat treatments, red light massage, compression, meditation, yoga—as being physical recovery, but more and more, they’re seeing that as mental health recovery too.

AFTER THE PANDEMIC, COMMUNITY SEEMS TO HAVE BECOME A REAL FOCUS. CAN YOU SPEAK ABOUT THAT?

Isolation is one of the absolute worst things for mental health, especially when combined with a lack of activity or movement—it’s a recipe for disaster.

It’s easier today to isolate than ever before because you can go down rabbit holes on your phone and don’t completely feel “isolated,” but you’re really alone with your thoughts. The fitness center, gym, or wellness hub has become such an important space for community gathering.

After the pandemic, I noticed class attendance growing, which was fantastic. With that growth comes the opportunity to not only have the social component but also to incorporate mental health focus during class.

Another important community aspect I’ve noticed is obstacle course racing or road racing—events like Spartan Race, HYROX, and Ragnar Races. These team focused activities create opportunities for gyms to lead experiential classes preparing for events that members do together. These approaches beautifully combine physical, mental, and social components.

TELL US ABOUT SPARKLE AND WHAT LED YOU TO CREATE IT.

I experienced a lot of loss through Covid. My dad passed away in 2021, and I wasn’t able to see him for the last year of his life because he was in an assisted living facility where visitors weren’t allowed. And then I lost my brother in 2023 to interstitial lung disease.

The hardest loss was my wife of 30 years, Carla. During Covid, she developed severe medication-resistant depression and anxiety. We tried numerous treatments—I say “we” because I was alongside her every step of the way. Unfortunately, the treatments weren’t enough to quiet her pain, and Carla lost her battle with mental illness in 2022.

I needed to turn pain into purpose, so I founded SPARKLE–the Carla Gallup Foundation for suicide prevention through activity, relaxation, kindness, laughter, and education. I called it SPARKLE because when I looked at Carla during her deepest struggles with depression and anxiety, I felt that what was missing was the sparkle she’d always had.

AS A CAREGIVER FOR SOMEONE WITH SEVERE DEPRESSION, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS?

People living with someone with severe depression for six months or more have a 90% likelihood of developing depression themselves. The mental health of the caregiver is tremendously important. You must make time for self-care—physical activity, recovery, relaxation, and community. You have to give yourself permission to take care of yourself.

I think the airline safety message got it right: put your own mask on first before helping others. That’s a perfect analogy for caregivers dealing with mental health issues. If we don’t put our mask on first, instead of one person suffering, there will be two.

WHAT DO FITNESS FACILITIES NEED TO DO DIFFERENTLY TO SUPPORT
MENTAL WELLNESS?

Fitness centers need to establish relationships with mental health professionals, and mental health professionals should have fitness partners as part of their practice. They go hand-in-hand, and the relationship should flow in both directions.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON ADDRESSING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?

This work is deeply personal. As someone goes through severe mental health challenges like depression and anxiety, they’re not the same person you’ve known. You do your best to help them, but sometimes that isn’t enough.

Globally, we lose 2,000 people daily to suicide, and each person lost typically touches a hundred other lives. The reach of this issue is at epidemic levels. But I know the work is important and needed, and I’ve found that this is my best way to process grief—seeing what I can do to help others.

We need to keep talking about mental health, educating people, developing proactive approaches, and supporting those left trying to put the pieces back together after tragedy. Through dialogue and education, we can make progress.

SPARKLE: Finding Light in Darkness

SPARKLE–the Carla Gallup Foundation was founded in 2023 following a profound personal loss. Carla and Derek were married for 30 years and raised two children together—daughter Christina and son Tyler. Before choosing to become a stay-at-home mom who successfully raised two amazing children, Carla had worked in the fitness industry for 10 years.

In 2020, Carla, like many others during the pandemic, began suffering from depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Derek recalls that during this difficult time, “what was missing was the sparkle she’d always had.” Despite fighting valiantly for two-and-a-half years, Carla sadly lost her battle with mental illness in October 2022.

As Derek and his family searched for ways to cope with their grief and loss, they discovered that none of the existing survivors’ and mental health organizations focused on activity, fitness, and nutrition as key pillars for prevention and support. This realization sparked their mission to turn pain into purpose.

SPARKLE’s three key focus areas:

1. Improve mental health
2. Prevent suicide
3. Provide community and support for survivors of suicide loss

Gallup says, "I can’t stress enough the importance of these elements—activity, relaxation, kindness toward yourself, finding humor each day, and educating yourself about what your loved one is experiencing and what you need as a caregiver."

The foundation has established partnerships across the fitness industry, adds Gallup.

"We’ve partnered with Hidden Gyms in Dallas, UFC Gym, and Fitness World Canada. It’s a fun, challenging approach with revenue, charitable, and educational aspects."

To learn more about SPARKLE–Carla Gallup Foundation or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit sparklecgf.org and follow sparkle_cgf on Instagram.

Career History

In a fitness career of more than 30 years, Gallup has served as vice president of fitness at 24 Hour Fitness, executive vice president of UFC Gym, and global executive vice president of fitness and retail at New Evolution Ventures.

Current Position

Gallup is vice president of consulting services for fibr and serves as a consultant for HFA.

Connection to Mental Wellness and Recovery

Gallup introduced a number of recovery modalities into the mainstream fitness industry from his work at UFC Gym, Crunch, and Fitness World Canada. After losing his wife, Carla, to suicide in 2022, he founded SPARKLE— the Carla Gallup Foundation. SPARKLE stands for Suicide Prevention through Activity, Relaxation, Kindness, Laughter, and Education.