Out of the Dark: How Movement and Community Combat Depression in Veterans and Adaptive Athletes
Depression is a common struggle for many in the veteran and adaptive communities. It doesn’t always manifest loudly; sometimes, it presents as fatigue, irritability, physical pain, or emotional numbness. For some, it feels like a disconnection from others, from their sense of purpose, and even from themselves.
Veterans are particularly vulnerable. According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, more than one in ten veterans experience major depressive disorder. This number is even higher for those living with limb loss, especially among individuals also dealing with chronic pain, PTSD, or social isolation. This issue goes beyond trauma; it also includes the aftermath, loss of routine, disruption of identity, and the daily challenges of adapting to a new body or reality.
However, amidst these struggles, something as simple as physical movement can begin to spark change. This change is not just physical; it also occurs on a chemical level. When movement is combined with community support, that initial spark can evolve into a lifeline.
Movement Rewires the Brain, Literally
Depression is more than just "feeling sad"—it is a neurological condition that can be observed in the brain. Imaging studies of individuals with major depression consistently reveal decreased activity in areas such as the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation, as well as a smaller hippocampal volume, the region associated with memory and learning. These physical changes help explain the feelings of fog, hopelessness, and fatigue that often accompany depression.
What is remarkable is that exercise can help reverse some of these effects. Regular physical activity promotes neurogenesis, which is the creation of new neurons in the hippocampus. Over time, this can lead to improvements in memory, emotional resilience, and overall brain function. Research has shown that engaging in physical activity can increase hippocampal volume even in individuals experiencing long-term depression.
How Movement Impacts Mood Chemistry
Let’s talk about neurotransmitters, specifically, the ones that tend to crash during depressive episodes. Movement doesn’t just feel good. It shifts your brain chemistry in powerful and trackable ways.
Dopamine: Often called the “motivation molecule,” dopamine helps regulate attention, drive, and reward. In people with depression, dopamine pathways often go quiet, making even basic tasks feel impossible. Physical activity stimulates the release of dopamine and increases levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, a key enzyme in dopamine production. This gives your brain the raw materials it needs to build that sense of drive again.
Serotonin: Widely known as the mood stabilizer, serotonin affects everything from sleep to digestion to emotional well-being. Roughly 90 percent of your body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, but it is regulated by neural activity. Aerobic movement has been shown to increase the firing rate of serotonin-producing neurons and improve receptor sensitivity. Better yet, regular training improves sleep cycles, which in turn helps stabilize serotonin long term.
Endorphins: These are the body’s natural painkillers, released during stress and effort. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain, dulling pain and creating a sense of calm or even euphoria. What’s interesting is that endorphin release is amplified when you try something new or push outside your comfort zone. So for adaptive athletes who are constantly problem-solving movement in new ways, that challenge can actually be a therapeutic advantage.
One landmark study out of Duke University found that regular aerobic exercise—just 30 minutes of brisk walking or jogging three times a week—was as effective as prescription antidepressants in treating major depressive disorder. Even more interesting, the relapse rate among those who exercised was significantly lower than those who relied on medication alone.
Movement does not just help you cope. It helps you heal.
The Power of Community Cannot Be Overstated
One of the strongest predictors of both depression onset and recovery is social connection. Humans are wired for belonging. And when you lose your team, your unit, or your former self, that sense of belonging can disappear.
Group fitness, adapted sports, or simply moving in a shared space brings that connection back. You do not have to talk about the pain for someone else to understand it. You just have to show up together.
There is science behind this too. Social support during physical activity boosts adherence, reduces perceived effort, and increases endorphin response. In fact, studies have shown that synchronized group movement (like rowing, group lifts, or cycling classes) can enhance pain tolerance and feelings of connection by triggering a shared release of endorphins and oxytocin, the bonding hormone.
Veterans often say they miss the brotherhood more than anything. Movement in community can help recreate that bond—not through words, but through action.
This Is the Mission
Bloc Life was built for moments like this. We know that healing is not linear. We know it does not always start in a therapist’s office or with a conversation. Sometimes it begins with a single workout. A single rep. A single person who sees you trying.
We do not believe in waiting for motivation to return. We believe in movement as medicine, and community as the container that holds it.
If you are living with depression, you do not need to fix everything at once. You do not need to go back to who you were. But you do deserve to feel better in your body and in your mind.
Take the first step. And if you need us, we are here.
Ready to Take Action?
Bloc Life is committed to empowering all individuals to achieve their health and wellness goals through education and support. Join our adaptive and inclusive community to unlock your full potential.
