Saying Goodbye With Love: A Gentle Reflection

There are some people who walk into your life quietly and yet leave the deepest imprint. For me, one of those souls was a young man from the gym — a trainer who carried light in his humour, kindness in his presence, and a rare ability to make you feel seen.

He noticed your wins… and he didn’t have to. He celebrated your small triumphs, shared a joke when you needed it, and offered encouragement without ever making a fuss about it.

Last week, we learned that he died by suicide. Even as I write these words, I want to hold this space with gentleness. Whenever we talk about suicide, it’s important to do so with care, compassion, and respect for anyone reading who may have their own experiences, memories, or vulnerabilities. Please read slowly, and only if you feel able.

A Light That Reached Farther Than He Knew

What struck me most about him was his ability to brighten someone’s day without even realising he was doing it. He didn’t just train people — he uplifted them. He’d spot your effort from across the room, give a nod, a grin, a “well done” that stayed with you all day.

That’s a rare gift.

And sometimes… people who carry that kind of light forget to leave a little bit of it for themselves.

We Never Truly Know What Someone Is Carrying

If you are reading this and you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, please know this:you deserve help, you deserve support, you deserve to be here.

Reaching out is not a burden — it’s human.

Honouring His Life With Kindness

This isn’t a blog about the manner of his passing. It’s about the man he was — bright, funny, encouraging, and endlessly generous with his spirit. He touched more people than he ever realised, and that legacy matters.

I hope we can honour him by doing what he did so naturally:

• Noticing others

• Celebrating small wins

• Being kind without needing a reason

• Checking in on people, even the ones who seem “fine”

Especially them.

If This Brings Anything Up For You

If you’re feeling anything stir while reading this, please pause and take a breath. Know you’re not alone.

And if you ever need to talk to someone, please reach out to a trusted friend or family member — or a trained listener who can hold you safely.

Wherever you are in the world, there will be someone you can reach out to.

You are not alone.

Holding Him — And All Who Loved Him — In Light

I keep thinking about the way he made people feel. And maybe that is the reminder for all of us: to look for the light in others, and to nurture it in ourselves too.

To everyone who knew and cared for him — his family, friends, colleagues, and our gym community — please know I’m thinking of you.

He made a difference simply by being himself, bringing brightness into everyday moments and lifting others without even realising it.

May we look after one another in the days ahead, honouring him through kindness, compassion, and the quiet ways we keep his memory alive.

May we remember him with warmth, with gratitude, and with the gentle knowing that love never truly leaves us — it simply changes shape.

With love,

TJ Higgs