The holidays are supposed to be joyful — but for many people, they’re the hardest weeks of the year.
Stress increases.
Old wounds resurface.
Loneliness hits differently.
Expectations rise.
Mental health often dips.
And statistically, this season brings some of the highest rates of anxiety, depression, relapse, and emotional overwhelm.
That’s why this presentation is different.
For the past few months, we’ve been sharing the Suffer To Tougher message through community presentations — but this event at Ackerman Fitness is a special, one-of-a-kind session focused specifically on coping during the holidays.
Join Kelsey Dunbar and Marc Rogala, founders of Suffer To Tougher, for an evening of connection, tools, and honest conversation.
In this interactive 2-hour experience, we’ll cover:
The real emotional and psychological load of the holiday season
Why this time of year intensifies mental health challenges
Rituals, habits, and grounding practices we personally use every day
Tools to stay emotionally stable during stressful gatherings
How to set boundaries without guilt
How to navigate loneliness, pressure, and family dynamics
Strategies to protect your mental wellness through the season
How the Suffer To Tougher system helps you build inner strength long after the holidays are over
We’ll also share key insights from our book Suffer To Tougher, including the identity shifts, resilience patterns, and survival mechanisms that often resurface during emotionally charged seasons.
This is more than a presentation — it’s a place to breathe.
A place to be honest.
A place to realize you’re not the only one who finds the holidays heavy.
Whether you’re dealing with stress, mental health challenges, recovery, or simply trying to stay grounded through it all — this session was created for you.
Join us Wednesday night from 5pm–7pm at Ackerman Fitness in Glen Ellyn.
Come get support, tools, and a community that understands what this time of year can bring.
You don’t have to carry the holidays alone this year.
Also check out other Health & Wellness events in Glen Ellyn.
