World Mental Health Day: NHS Wales and charity helped runner beat fitness addiction

A Powys runner who became consumed by a fitness addiction has told how he found life-changing support through Newtown-based charity, Ponthafren.

Wayne Davies, 40, spiralled into anxiety and lost sleep as he obsessed over race times, training plans and fitness data.

But through Ponthafren’s ‘blended’ service, which combines one-to-one support with NHS Wales’ online mental health platform, SilverCloud, he learned practical techniques to manage his thoughts and regain control of his wellbeing.

Speaking out ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Wayne said: “I was constantly worrying and felt like the rug had been pulled from under my feet.

“I was at a real low point, but the support I had from Ponthafren and SilverCloud helped me put things into perspective.

“I still love running, but it no longer defines my happiness. I can finally enjoy it again and I'm managing my anxiety. I feel like I've got my life back.”

Wayne, a sales engineer, started running around 10 years ago and quickly progressed from casual jogs to marathons and then ultra-distances, including a gruelling 75-mile race around the Llŷn Peninsula.

But what began as a way of keeping fit gradually became an unhealthy fixation.

"I became obsessed with trying to do longer and longer distances," Wayne said.

"Then I started focusing on times. I was never happy, and always chasing the next challenge or trying to get a better time.

“If I didn’t succeed, it felt like the end of the world. If I did, I was always looking for the next goal.  I never stopped to appreciate what I’d achieved.”

Wayne’s struggles intensified following a heart scare during a training run.

He was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, which causes an irregular heartbeat.

Although he returned to running after treatment, he constantly worried the condition would recur.

Wayne, from Newtown, explained: “At first, I thought I’d never run again. The more I got back into it, gradually building up my fitness, the more it became an obsession.”

As his focus on performance grew, Wayne found himself constantly checking fitness data and comparing himself with other runners on social media.

His sleep suffered, his concentration declined and anxiety began affecting other areas of his life, including relationships.

Concerned friends and family encouraged him to seek help through his GP, who signposted him to Ponthafren.

"A lot of men think talking about how they feel is a sign of weakness, and I admit I did feel a bit ashamed at first,” Wayne said.

“But taking that first step was probably the best thing I ever did.”

Wayne enrolled on SilverCloud’s ‘Space from Anxiety’ programme and worked through the 12-week course with support from a Ponthafren practitioner.

Said Wayne: “I learned how to manage my thoughts and let things go.

“The techniques made me feel much calmer. The breathing exercises were a particular help, and I still use them now.”

He is currently training for the Snowdonia Marathon in two weeks’ time – but with a very different outlook.

"I'm not worried about times anymore," he said. "I just want to do the best I can on the day and enjoy it."

Wayne believes more men should feel comfortable reaching out for support when they need it.

“You’ve got to be brave enough to say, 'I need help'," he said.

"People do want to listen and there are tools out there that can help. It's not as scary as you think."

SilverCloud Wales offers free online support for common mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, stress and poor sleep, to people aged 16 and over across Wales.

Ponthafren's blended service combines SilverCloud alongside guidance from a trained practitioner.

Published: 09/10/2026