Though Vanessa Proden is no stranger to pushing herself, this year she’s taking on a challenge that goes far beyond physical fitness. The St. Claude resident has committed to doing 100 push-ups a day in support of mental health awareness, turning a personal goal into a powerful statement of advocacy.
“My whole family has struggled with mental health at one point or another,” Proden says. “Recently, a family member was seeking help, and it was a really poor experience. When I heard about the push to make mental health a human right, it just made sense. Why wouldn’t you do it?”
Proden is participating in The Push-Up Challenge, a nationwide event connected to the Canadian Mental Health Association that invites people of all ages and abilities to complete 2,000 push-ups over the course of the challenge period while learning about mental health and encouraging conversation around it. It’s free to participate, and people can take part as individuals, on teams or even through workplaces, gyms or schools. Alternative exercises like sit-ups or squats are welcomed for those who need a different approach.
Originally started in Australia in 2017 by four friends who wanted to get fit together, The Push-Up Challenge has grown into a global movement for mental health awareness, with millions of participants and millions of dollars raised worldwide. In Canada, the event has continued to expand, with thousands signing up to support improved mental health outcomes across the country.
Proden says this is her first year participating, and she admits she got a head start.
“I actually thought it started in January, so I’m ahead of the game now,” she laughs. “And it’s getting easier. I can do about 10 proper push-ups in a row and about 20 on my knees.”
Despite never considering herself good at push-ups, she notes that consistency has made all the difference.
“On days two and three, I could barely lift my cup of coffee. But now, any little break is push-up time. It’s turned into a healthy habit, and I’m actually excited to keep going.”
Alongside the physical challenge, Proden is also raising money in support of the cause through thepushupchallenge.ca. She set a modest fundraising goal of $200 and says the early response has been encouraging.
“I’ve already received my first donation of $65 from another participant. It’s awesome, and it really shows that people believe in this idea,” she adds.
For Proden, the push-ups represent something much deeper than exercise.
“I hope it inspires people to advocate for themselves. When people see me doing this at work or on breaks, it becomes clear that I’m pushing for change. I’m not sweating to get fit; there’s a bigger reason behind it.”
The experience has also reshaped the way she views challenges in general, especially ones that seem overwhelming at first.
“Two thousand push-ups sounded impossible. Even 100 a day felt out of reach, but even if you can only do one to start, that’s still a start. The next time, maybe you do two. Progress is progress. And if you need to do them on your knees, that’s okay. Every bit counts,” she explains.
By the end of the challenge, Proden hopes to complete the full 2,000 push-ups while continuing to raise awareness and spark conversations around mental health in her community.
“Honestly, this has been incredibly empowering. I’d love for it to become a habit I keep long after the challenge ends. I don’t know how much money I’ll raise, but every dollar helps. I believe in this cause, and I’m willing to put in the work.”
As February approaches, Proden encourages others who may be considering the challenge to take that first step.
“You don’t have to be perfect. Every push-up counts, and every effort makes a difference.”
