Health & Wellness - Articles

RUGGED

Nutrition and Mental Health Part 3: The Neuroscience Behind It All

Achieving the right balance of neurotransmitters and hormones through healthy eating habits can help our bodies thrive.

December 29, 2025

Explore the neuroscience of nutrition and mental health—how diet, gut health, neurotransmitters, and hormones shape mood, energy, and emotional balance—in this in-depth article by Kalea Abernathy, LPC, and Peter Yibo Pan.

RUGGED

Cruelty Has a Cost – How Bullying Harms Mental Health and Business Performance

The construction industry can be especially vulnerable to workplace bullying tactics such as hazing, pranks and verbal abuse.

December 29, 2025

Learn how Bill Heffernan, LCPC, CEAP, co-founder of ScreenSafe, is helping organizations build safer, drug-free workplaces through customized consulting and comprehensive Drug-Free Workplace Program solutions.

Rugged

Filters and Finish Lines: One Building Engineer’s Unexpected Passion for Running

Empire State Building Engineer Lianna Faber shares how running has improved her mental health and performance on the job.

December 29, 2025

Nicole Meyer

Discover how Empire State Building engineer Lianna Faber found running to be a powerful tool for improving mental health, building endurance, and staying fit in the trades, as she shares her journey and advice for fellow tradespeople looking to get more active.

Rugged

Treating the Physical Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with Acupuncture

Due to their unpredictable nature, jobsites may easily create triggers for tradespeople living with PTSD.

December 29, 2025

Learn how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help tradespeople manage PTSD symptoms, calm the nervous system, and restore balance in daily life, according to insights from Dr. Andrea V. Danti, L.Ac.

RUGGED Mind and Body Magazine

It’s All in the Preparation: One Plumber’s Approach to Family and Food

Through meal prepping and simple home cooking, Omar Harris is saving time and teaching his children valuable life skills.

December 16, 2025

Nicole Meyer

In Part 1 of our interview with Omar Harris, we discuss his love of cooking and family — and how meal prepping has changed his life on the jobsite.

Making Safety Personal: The Human Side of Risk and Responsibility

December 16, 2025

At the 2026 Safety & Health Conference in Austin, keynote speaker David Ward challenges leaders to move beyond compliance and embrace safety as a commitment to people, culture and accountability.

Construction Dive: Woman Welder’s Workplace Murder Prompts Calls for Change

December 15, 2025

The killing of 20-year-old Amber Czech in Minnesota has spurred trade groups to advocate for better protections for women and transparency in harassment reporting.

PHCPPros Celebrates Successful First Year of RUGGED Mind and Body Initiative

December 5, 2025

Formally established in Fall 2024, RUGGED aims to bring more awareness to mental health and wellness to improve the overall well-being of tradespeople.

RUGGED Mind and Body Magazine

Hardship, Healing, and Hope for the Trades

Nate Agentis strives to help fellow tradespeople find health and wholeness after discovering the hardest part of building a business is taking care of yourself in the process.

December 3, 2025

Nicole Meyer

A third-generation plumber thrust into leadership after family tragedy, Nate Agentis scaled his contracting company to millions — only to discover the real work was rebuilding himself. Now, he’s on a mission to help other tradespeople find health and wholeness.