Mental Health Can Be Fun: Warrior Lessons from Bananas, Sandbags and the 3 Food Rules
- Bruce Schutter
- May 21
- 5 min read
Today, my wife Lee and I headed over to Shippensburg University for our usual lunchtime ritual: the Mental Health Warrior Sandbag Workout.
If you haven’t tried one, imagine combining physical and mental training in one fell swoop. You grab a sandbag, carry it, sweat with it — and in the process, you strengthen both your body and your mind.
The campus is the perfect place for it. Students wave, ask questions or sometimes just stare like, “Why is that couple lugging sandbags across campus instead of sitting in the cafeteria like the rest of us?”
Fair question.
By now, many of them know us as Bruce and Lee Schutter — the couple hauling sandbags across campus as part of the Mental Health Warrior Program.
But today, something unexpected happened — and it reminded me that mental health does not always have to be heavy.
Sometimes, the best lessons come in the most surprising, and even fun, ways…
The Warrior Solution
But before I go any further, let me share why this matters.
For 20 years, I battled Bipolar Disorder, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. Those struggles left me feeling so powerless that I tried to end my life. But in my darkest moment, I discovered something life-changing: Mental health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
Armed with that realization, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program — a bold SELF-HELP approach that puts YOU in charge.
So you can take charge of your emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life you really want.
And an important part of the program is understanding the connection between food and mental health — something I explore in my book, 3 Food Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Back to the bananas.
When Sandbags Met Bananas
So yes, I’m the guy walking across campus with a 120 lb. sandbag on his shoulders — not because I lost a bet, but because I found my purpose.
But today? Today was a little different.
Because today, we ran into… a bunch of bananas!
No, not the metaphorical kind. I mean actual bananas — a whole student group decked out in bright-yellow banana costumes, promoting their bingo night and handing out fruit.
Picture this: a dozen bananas waddling across the quad, cheering, laughing and high-fiving anyone brave enough to accept fruit from a human-sized peel.
Of course, Lee and I had to stop. I mean, how often do you get sandbag reps and a photo-op with bananas in the same day? (And yes — that’s the picture attached to this blog. Proof I’m not making this up.)
But here’s the part that stuck with me.
That silly, unexpected moment reminded us of something powerful: mental health doesn’t always have to be heavy.
Sometimes… it can be fun and still teach us powerful lessons.
So let’s break it down. Here are three simple lessons from our banana encounter that can help you strengthen your mental health starting today.
Lesson 1: Food Fuels Your Mental Strength
As silly as the bananas looked, they couldn’t have chosen a better symbol.
Because food and mental health go hand in hand — something I dive into in 3 Food Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.
Here’s why the banana moment mattered: they were handing out real food. Natural food. Food people recognized without needing a chemistry degree or a magnifying glass to read the label.
Compare that to vending machine snacks — sugary treats and neon drinks that give you a quick buzz… followed by a crash.
When you choose real food — vegetables, proteins, healthy fats and minimally processed options — you’re not just feeding your body. You’re fueling your mind.
Those dancing bananas were showing us a simple Warrior truth: Every bite is a chance to build your mental strength!
Your Turn:
Next time you’re hungry, pause and ask: Am I fueling my brain for resilience, focus and strength — or making this day harder?
Then make one better choice.
Maybe broccoli.
Maybe a handful of nuts.
Maybe a salmon fillet if you’re feeling fancy.
And yes, maybe even a banana when it fits your day.
Your mental health will thank you.
Lesson 2: Connection with Food Fuels Mental Health
One of the best parts of our Sandbag Workouts is the chance to connect with students. We share laughs, answer questions and sometimes just exchange a quick nod between classes.
But stopping to chat with a group of students dressed like bananas reminded me of something even bigger: Food does more than fuel the body — it can bring people together.
Think about it. Meals, snacks, coffee, cookouts, family dinners, tailgates, lunch breaks — food often becomes the bridge that helps us slow down, talk, laugh and connect.
That matters because connection is a core Mental Health Warrior principle. We do not heal in isolation. We grow stronger when we are supported, seen and reminded we are not alone.
And sometimes, that connection starts with something as simple as accepting a banana from a human-sized peel.
Your Turn:
When life starts to feel heavy, do not isolate.
Use food as a connection point.
Invite someone for coffee (or diet soda).
Grab a healthy snack with a friend.
Sit down with your family instead of eating on autopilot.
Even a small moment of connection can shift your entire day for the better.
And hey… if you happen to find people dressed like bananas, stop and say hello.
Lesson 3: Fun Fuels Your Mental Strength
Here’s the kicker: while Lee and I take our workouts and food seriously, we also take fun seriously.
Because today was a reminder — fun isn’t just helpful for mental health… it’s essential.
Laughing with students, posing with bananas and enjoying a moment of pure silliness — that’s what makes life feel lighter.
Fun breaks tension.
Fun restores perspective.
Fun reminds you that life is worth fighting for.
So yes, sandbags and tools matter. But so do laughter, joy and unexpected moments of fun — even if they show up in banana suits.
Your Turn:
Next time life feels heavy,
take 10 minutes and do something fun.
Blast your favorite music.
Watch something that makes you laugh.
Do something that lifts your mood — even just a little.
Because fun isn’t a distraction… it’s a powerful Warrior tool.
Wrap Up
Today’s workout at Shippensburg University and those bananas reminded me of two things:
First, what you fuel your body with impacts your mental health. And the path to building stronger mental health one bite at a time is found in my book, 3 Food Rules of a Mental Health Warrior.
Second, fun is an important part of taking care of your mental health. Our banana encounter proved that — especially because we are still talking about it today.
So the next time life feels heavy, apply one of these Warrior lessons. And if you run into a bunch of bananas… stop and laugh.
Because that’s what Warriors do. We don’t just conquer challenges — we celebrate the journey!
Bruce Schutter ⚔️
Every day is a chance to choose strength — because YOU'RE IN CHARGE!
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