Massage therapist Steve wa Massage has opened up about his mental health journey following a period of personal and financial hardship. He described a time when he felt completely overwhelmed with no hope for the future. In this period, anxiety and depression consumed his daily existence, making simple tasks and future planning seem impossible. He noted that the loss of stability caused him to withdraw from society and experience profound emotional distress. At one stage, he retreated to his rural home in an attempt to rebuild his life from scratch.
Steve disclosed that his mental state deteriorated to the point where he experienced suicidal ideation and needed professional medical and psychological intervention. His mother decided to travel to Nairobi and bring him back to their village for recovery in a more tranquil setting. During this time, he participated in counseling sessions in Mathare and was prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. He considered this phase among the most challenging of his life, as he perceived himself as a failure despite his career-building efforts. This experience compelled him to directly confront his mental health issues in a deeply challenging way.
He recounted a contentious episode during his darkest period when he shared a video online expressing willingness to sell his kidney. He clarified this was not a rational choice but an indication of his profound hopelessness. At that moment, he believed he had reached the end of his life’s journey and viewed the video as a final expression of his despair. The statement garnered online attention and subsequently became widely discussed. He now regards that incident as evidence of how severe his depression had become.
His circumstances improved after receiving unexpected recognition from media personality Maina Kageni. Steve mentioned his social media content, which featured his massage services and business promotions, had already been gaining traction. When it received radio mention, he noticed a significant increase in phone calls and messages from potential customers. Initially, he associated this response with his previous viral kidney video, but later realized it was due to business interest. He attributed this exposure to transforming his life trajectory and aiding his financial recovery.
In addition to media attention, Steve highlighted the importance of emotional and spiritual backing from his family. He stated that his mother and grandmother continuously prayed for him and supported him throughout his recovery. Their assistance helped him stay grounded while undergoing treatment and attempting to revive his professional path. He characterized the journey from total loss to gradual reconstruction as agonizing yet life-changing. Currently, he perceives his experience as a lesson in how rapidly life can transform and how support and opportunity can open doors even after significant personal crises.