Joe Wicks has opened up about his mental health following the third lockdown announcement, explaining he’s struggling to stay positive.
After Boris Johnson announced that strict lockdown measures will once again be put in place in England, the fitness guru got emotional as he reflected on the pandemic and families who have struggled to cope.
The dad-of-two said he wants to be open and honest about his feelings in the hopes that he could help others, explaining: ‘For me personally, I’m so emotional.
‘I’m thinking about all the people out there that are struggling and that have got families and kids, living in tiny little flats, who can’t afford healthy food and heating.
‘I was one of those kids, I was living in a council flat 30 years ago when I was a kid. I was one of [those] people and I can’t help but feel for these families and businesses that are struggling.’
Tearing up, Joe, 34, spoke about his daughter Indie, who he shares with his wife Rosie.
‘I was sitting there with Indie and she was on my lap and I’m like, we’re in this lovely house and I can look after you, I can keep you warm, I can keep you everything you want,’ he said. ‘And there’s so many parents out there that can’t do that right now…and that breaks my heart.’
‘It’s really hit me now tonight, how long this has gone on,’ Joe pointed out. ‘I’m trying to let you know that it’s okay to be upset and feel down right now, and it’s okay to not be this really strong person all the time.’
He also urged people to speak about their feelings and reach out to loved ones.
After the third lockdown was announced, the Body Coach star revealed he’s set to bring back his workout series PE With Joe, which he began last year when the schools closed for the first time.
With new YouTube workouts coming on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, he’s again hoping to keep the country fit and active.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘PE with Joe is back ❤️🙌🏽 Starting Monday the 11th January at 9am on my YouTube channel.
‘I am committing to 3 live sessions per week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9am(UK time) They will be 20 minutes long and designed for children.
‘Please please share this with as many families as you can and let your schools know so they can notify the parents ASAP and we can get as many young children taking part. This is so important for our children’s emotional and mental health 🙏🏼🌍 Lots of love Joe 😀’.
Elsewhere, Joe has seen huge success with his new app, with The Sun reporting that 130,000 people took out a subscription between Christmas and New Year.
A source told the publication: ‘Joe’s Body Coach programme has always been hugely popular but the app version is a runaway hit.
‘The usual price is £89.99 but it was on a discount, meaning it was even more appealing, especially as Brits started looking to get into shape after Christmas.
‘The app was taking around £46,000 an hour.’
The Prime Minister laid out the new restrictions for the third lockdown this week as he addressed the nation, and announced they will remain in place until mid-February.
Schools and colleges will revert to remote learning, and will only remain open to vulnerable children and those with key worker parents.
People will only be allowed to leave home for limited reasons – to go to work if they cannot do so from home, for food shopping, for medical reasons, to exercise or to escape domestic abuse.
Clinically vulnerable people have been advised to begin shielding again. All pubs, restaurants and cafes will be shut.
Need support for your mental health?
You can contact mental health charity Mind on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463.
Mind can also be reached by email at info@mind.org.uk.
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