Why Tiago created Steps

In 2015, something terrible happened to my family. The trauma developed into Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The kind where you wake up and dread is already waiting.

My psychiatrist prescribed SSRIs. They helped. But getting off them? That was hell. I tried four times. Each time, the anxiety came roaring back.

"Try walking consistently," my psychiatrist suggested. I noticed it helped regulate my mood. But I couldn't stay consistent. That's why I created Steps.

The Problem: Knowing vs. Doing

But knowing isn't doing. Good intentions fade. Life gets busy. Days turn into weeks.

I needed structure. Not motivation. Structure.

What Actually Worked

I made walking non-negotiable. Added financial stakes—$1 penalty when I skipped. My wife gets notified on bad weeks.

That combination worked.

The money kept me honest. The human oversight prevented excuses. Walking became daily. The anxiety lifted. Lost weight as a bonus.

9 years later, still walking.

Why I Built Steps

The system worked for me. Others needed it too.

People know they should walk more. The apps exist. Trackers work. The missing piece is accountability that gets you moving even when motivation fails.

I still use it myself. Walk 5 days per week. Pay when I skip. The system works because the stakes are real.