The Bipolar Hack I Ignored for Years: Our Host’s Personal Walking Story
06/02/25 • 44 min
What if a secret weapon in managing bipolar disorder isn’t a new medication or a breakthrough therapy — but a brisk 20-minute walk? In this refreshingly honest and hilariously relatable episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington take on the least talked about pillar of bipolar stability: lifestyle management, and more specifically, exercise.
During a recent bout of depression, Gabe’s doctor “tricked” him into walking daily by describing it like a miracle pill. Spoiler alert: It kind of was. At first, Gabe thought the idea sounded like a total scam — and he didn’t even own sneakers. (His first walks were in Doc Martens.) But over the past year, daily walks have become part of his recovery.
In this episode, Gabe opens up about what finally got him moving, why he stuck with it, and how something so simple ended up making a real difference. Dr. Nicole, a self-proclaimed workout hater, shares why she still encourages her patients — and herself — to move, even when it’s the last thing they want to do. From the science behind short daily walks to the mental health benefits for people managing bipolar disorder, Gabe opens up about what finally got him moving, how it changed his mindset, and why the smallest step forward can sometimes shift everything.
"When somebody first mentioned going for a walk for bipolar disorder I thought what is this new age garbage? Like, I live with a serious and persistent mental illness. Going for a walk is not going to do anything. But I gotta tell you, I was wrong. Look, I’m not saying that it cures bipolar disorder. But I can say that it helps manage my moods." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included!
Among his many accolades, Gabe received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero,” and had the distinct honor of speaking at Oxford University in England.
To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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What if a secret weapon in managing bipolar disorder isn’t a new medication or a breakthrough therapy — but a brisk 20-minute walk? In this refreshingly honest and hilariously relatable episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington take on the least talked about pillar of bipolar stability: lifestyle management, and more specifically, exercise.
During a recent bout of depression, Gabe’s doctor “tricked” him into walking daily by describing it like a miracle pill. Spoiler alert: It kind of was. At first, Gabe thought the idea sounded like a total scam — and he didn’t even own sneakers. (His first walks were in Doc Martens.) But over the past year, daily walks have become part of his recovery.
In this episode, Gabe opens up about what finally got him moving, why he stuck with it, and how something so simple ended up making a real difference. Dr. Nicole, a self-proclaimed workout hater, shares why she still encourages her patients — and herself — to move, even when it’s the last thing they want to do. From the science behind short daily walks to the mental health benefits for people managing bipolar disorder, Gabe opens up about what finally got him moving, how it changed his mindset, and why the smallest step forward can sometimes shift everything.
"When somebody first mentioned going for a walk for bipolar disorder I thought what is this new age garbage? Like, I live with a serious and persistent mental illness. Going for a walk is not going to do anything. But I gotta tell you, I was wrong. Look, I’m not saying that it cures bipolar disorder. But I can say that it helps manage my moods." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included!
Among his many accolades, Gabe received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an “Everyday Hero,” and had the distinct honor of speaking at Oxford University in England.
To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and TikTok at @askabipolar.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Previous Episode
Frozen Truths: Catatonia in Bipolar Disorder
Imagine being fully awake, yet your body refuses to respond — a terrifying state where time seems to warp as you stand paralyzed. In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the elusive world of catatonia as it intersects with bipolar disorder.
Drawing from special guest host Kit Wallis’s (SchizoKitzo’s) firsthand experiences, including moments of being physically “frozen” while fully aware, this episode unpacks the surprising complexities behind catatonia. Listeners will gain a clear and compassionate understanding of the three distinct presentations as host Dr. Nicole Washington, a board certified psychiatrist, breaks down the symptoms and dispels common misconceptions, while Kit shares intimate details of how these episodes have disrupted her life and ultimately guided her toward better management of her mental health.
Whether you are directly affected by bipolar disorder or seeking a deeper insight into its hidden facets, this discussion promises to be an enlightening journey into one of the most misunderstood aspects of the condition.
We have a guest host for this episode (Don’t worry, Gabe Howard will be back!):
Kit Wallis, who goes by SchizoKitzo, is a content creator who advocates for schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. She uses long-form videos on her YouTube channel and short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her content centers around her personal experience with schizoaffective disorder and often includes deep dives into research topics regarding mental health.
Kit was diagnosed with the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder in late 2020 and has struggled with symptoms since she was in middle school. Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition where someone experiences symptoms of schizophrenia--such as delusions and hallucinations--but also symptoms of a mood disorder--either major depression or, in Kit's case, bipolar. Realizing there was a lack of schizoaffective advocates, she decided to start her SchizoKitzo project to raise awareness for this complex condition.
The mission of SchizoKitzo is to raise awareness of schizoaffective disorder and all of its aspects, from the mood side to the psychotic side. Kit works to bridge the gap between life and science so she can help break the stigma around mental health.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa.
Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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