Week 1 Down. Three to Go. Why I'm Taking on 1,654 Squats for Mental Health.

One week down.

Three to go.

My legs are definitely aware of it.

This month, I'm taking part in The Push-Up Challenge, but with a twist. Because I'm recovering from a shoulder injury, I've swapped the push-ups for 1,654 squats.

The goal remains exactly the same: raising awareness and funds for mental health initiatives across Australia through Lifeline.

For me, this challenge is about much more than exercise.

In the work I do, I see the impact of mental health struggles every single day. I meet people carrying stress, anxiety, grief, overwhelm, self-doubt, and emotional burdens that often go unseen by those around them.

Many people suffer silently because they feel they need to have it all together. They worry about being judged if they admit they're struggling. Yet reaching out for help is one of the bravest things a person can do.

That's why I wanted to get behind this challenge.

Why Squats?

Anyone who has done a high volume of squats knows they can be surprisingly challenging.

One squat is easy.

A thousand-plus squats? That's a different conversation.

But that's also where the lesson lies.

Big outcomes are rarely created by one heroic effort.

They're created by small actions repeated consistently.

One squat at a time.

One workout at a time.

One healthy choice at a time.

The same principle applies to mental health.

Recovery, resilience, and personal growth rarely happen overnight. They are built through daily actions, support, self-awareness, movement, connection, and sometimes simply making it through one more day.

Movement is Medicine

I'm always encouraging my clients to move their bodies.

Not because everyone needs to become an athlete, but because movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.

Exercise helps regulate stress hormones, improve mood, support better sleep, increase energy, and create a sense of achievement and momentum.

When life feels heavy, movement often becomes the first thing we stop doing.

Ironically, it's often the thing we need most.

This challenge is my way of practising what I preach.

Mental Strength and Physical Strength Have a Lot in Common

The first week has been a reminder that strength isn't built when things are easy.

It's built when you continue despite discomfort.

When motivation fades.

When excuses show up.

When you're tired.

When you'd rather do something else.

Mental resilience works the same way.

Every difficult conversation.

Every time you ask for help.

Every time you choose growth over avoidance.

Every time you get back up after a setback.

Those moments build strength that can't be measured in kilograms or repetitions.

Let's Make Mental Health Easier to Talk About

One of the biggest reasons I'm supporting this challenge is because mental health should never be a taboo topic.

We all know someone who has struggled.

Many of us have struggled ourselves.

The more we normalise these conversations, the more people feel safe seeking support when they need it.

A simple check-in with a friend, a conversation over coffee, or encouraging someone to reach out for help can make a bigger difference than we realise.

How You Can Support the Challenge

If you'd like to support this cause, I'd love your help.

Every donation contributes to Lifeline's vital work supporting Australians experiencing mental health challenges and crisis.

Donate Here

And if a donation isn't possible right now, please consider sharing the page or simply checking in on someone you care about.

You never know how much that conversation might mean.

Week 1 Complete. 75% To Go.

There are still plenty of squats ahead of me this month.

Some days my legs will be enthusiastic.

Some days they'll be negotiating.

Either way, I'll keep showing up.

Because mental health matters.

Because movement matters.

And because every squat completed is another reminder that small actions, performed consistently, can create meaningful change.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Sometimes, it begins with a single squat." 💙🧠🦵