The Push-Up Challenge
From February 5-27, I will attempt to do 4,000 pushups to help raise money to support mental health initiatives across Canada.
From February 5-27, I will be participating in the Push-Up Challenge to help support mental health in Canada. 2,000 people lose their life to suicide worldwide, and this fundraiser is to help raise funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association in supporting people experiencing mental health struggles across Canada.
Last year was my first time doing the challenge, and I did 3,522 pushups across the 23-day challenge (~153/day) and together the people who contributed to my page raised $672 for mental health initiatives.
This year I am setting myself the even more ambitious goal of trying to raise $941 dollars for mental health and will try to not only hit the 2,000 pushups for the fundraiser, but personally attempt to double it and complete 4,000 push-ups across the 23-day challenge this year.
I work in mental health and witness firsthand the depth of suffering experienced by individuals with suicidal thoughts, as well as the profound and enduring grief carried by those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Because of this, it is a cause I am proud to support and champion each year.
If you are able to donate & want to support the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), you can do so by clicking on the link below that ties directly to my push-up challenge page:
Push-Up Challenge Donation Page
Donate to the Basic Apple Guy 2,000 push-up challenge
You can also always donate to agencies in your local area or provide your time for mental health initiatives. Most importantly, make sure you take care of your mental health and check in with those closest to you who might be struggling: listen to them, take them seriously, ask directly about suicide, and help them access support or emergency help. In whatever way you can support yourself and those around you, thank you.
Helping me achieve this goal is the Canadian made app Pushups Tracker: OneMore, which automatically counts and tracks the number of push-ups you do and logs it in Apple Health.
Progress Tracker
February 05 - Target: 63 | Achieved: 311 | Total: 311/4000
February 06 - Target: 75 | Achieved: 200 | Total: 511/4000
February 07 - Target: 100 | Achieved: 150 | Total: 661/4000
February 08 - Target: 0 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 661/4000
February 09 - Target: 87 | Achieved: 200 | Total: 861/4000
February 10 - Target: 50 | Achieved: 100 | Total: 961/4000
February 11 - Target: 46 | Achieved: 100 | Total: 1,061/4000
February 12 - Target: 140 | Achieved: 140 | Total: 1,201/4000
February 13 - Target: 89 | Achieved: 100 | Total: 1,301/4000
February 14 - Target: 120 | Achieved: 120 | Total: 1,421/4000
February 15 - Target: 0 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 1,421/4000
February 16 - Target: 75 | Achieved: 100 | Total: 1,521/4000
February 17 - Target: 64 | Achieved: 100 | Total: 1,621/4000
February 18 - Target: 143 | Achieved: 143 | Total: 1,664/4000
February 19 - Target: 70 | Achieved: 0 (travelling all day)
February 20 - Target: 85 | Achieved: 202 | Total: 1,864/4000
February 21 - Target: 170 | Achieved: 170 | Total: 2,034/4000
February 22 - Target: 0 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 2,034/4000
February 23 - Target: 53 | Achieved: 215 | Total: 2,249/4000
February 24 - Target: 160 | Achieved: 60 | Total: 2,309/4000
February 25 - Target: 60 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 2,309/4000
February 26 - Target: 200 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 2,309/4000
February 27 - Target: 150 | Achieved: 0 | Total: 2,309/4000
Note: The Push-Up Challenge website limits the number of push-ups you can log daily, as shown in the Target above. The Achieved number represents the total push-ups I completed each day.
Final Note
I’m really disappointed that I fell so far short of my 4,000 push-up goal, even though I surpassed the challenge’s 2,000 push-up target. I committed to a number and underestimated how exhausting and difficult this would be while travelling for most of the challenge.
Toward the end, I also got hit with intense jet lag that took me out for 2 to 3 days, along with a heavy stretch of work and family stress. Not an excuse, just an explanation.
I’m sorry for missing the mark, but I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who donated. You helped raise an incredible $346 for mental health. You have made a real difference, and even though you’ll never meet the person your support helps, their life will hopefully be better because you showed up for this.
Suicide Crisis Helplines
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing suicidal thoughts and want support, here is a list of international agencies to call for support:
🇨🇦 9-8-8 (phone or text)
🇺🇸 9-8-8
🇦🇺 Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
🇬🇧 Samaritans: 116 123
🌍 Other
