Day Eleven: Burpees, Birthdays, and the Spirit of Willingness

Date: August 28, 2025

What up world? What up world? Today marks day eleven of the Just Do Ten Burpee Challenge, and it also happens to be my niece Kiara’s birthday. I started the day by singing her happy birthday — probably not in perfect pitch, but all love. Later, as I worked through my sets, I reflected on how much of this challenge is about family, connection, and the unexpected lessons life throws at you.

Shoulder Strength and Lessons from Law School

Back in my first year of law school, I hurt my shoulder at Florida State. One of the trainers taught me how to turn my wrist out at about a forty-five degree angle to work the muscle safely. Decades later, that tip came back while I was rehabbing my shoulder this morning. It’s amazing how knowledge you nearly forget shows up exactly when you need it.

Technical Glitches and Persistence

Yesterday my audio failed. I still did the challenge, still called out my people — Tracy Papoon and Sophia Danvers — but the sound didn’t carry through. It reminded me that the work is still valid even when the technology falters. Just like in fitness, in life, we keep showing up. The message may stumble, but the movement continues.

Looking Ahead to Washington, D.C.

I also shared a big announcement: this September, from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-sixth, I’ll be in Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Black Caucus Author’s Circle, repping with my brother Sean Pittman and his book Disaffected!. We’ll be bringing the Disaffected Movement into the heart of policy conversations. That’s purpose beyond push-ups. That’s vision bigger than burpees.

Plumbing Problems and Life Lessons

Now, let’s talk about the real storytelling moment of the day: our clogged kitchen sink. I tried five different fixes, five different trips to the store. I’ll admit it — I failed. So we called the plumber. Enter the coolest plumber I’ve met since 1992. His name is Luis, and not only did he clear the pipes, he dropped wisdom while he worked.

As Luis repaired the sink, he told me about his daughter’s school assignment. She had to write an essay on “willingness.” He shared with her his own story: years ago, he watched other plumbers retrofit piping in a California house. Instead of just watching, he leaned in with curiosity and willingness. He decided to pursue the trade, invested in an apprenticeship, and committed to the craft. That willingness carried him from bystander to professional. And now here he was — the one I called when all my DIY attempts failed. Knowledge, willingness, and discipline pay off.

Later, Luis showed me pictures of his kids. His son looks just like him. His daughter is beautiful, and she also looks just like him. I told him, “It’s amazing because genes are like they’re just making copies.” We both laughed at the obvious truth, but it’s more than biology. It’s legacy. It’s about passing on who we are, not just what we look like.

Generational Chic and Accessibility

Speaking of legacy, today I called out Generational Chic — my mom, my, and my niece. These ladies came together in 2020 and became micro-influencing superstars in their own right. I challenged each of them: Just Do Ten. Not necessarily burpees — because my mom has had double knee replacement surgery and accessibility matters. Just Do Ten is about movement, consistency, and choice. It could be ten jumping jacks, ten minutes of walking, or ten stretches. Whatever fits your life. The movement is about inclusion.

The Mime and the Message: “No Change”

I also reflected back to a birthday party in Miami in the 1990s. Kiara and I were there, and a mime entertained the kids for hours. As he left, he leaned into me and whispered words you don’t expect from a mime: “No change.” That moment became a banner for my life, a reminder that change doesn’t just happen on its own — it happens when you act, when you commit, when you are willing.

Closing Sets and Closing Thoughts

I wrapped up my three sets today with those lessons in mind: willingness, accessibility, family, and persistence. This challenge is not just about burpees. It’s about the discipline to move forward daily, even when your shoulder aches, your audio fails, or your sink clogs. It’s about the willingness to learn from others — like Luis — and the joy of seeing how our actions ripple across generations.

Motivational Close

If you can do ten, do ten. If you can’t do ten, do five. If you can’t do five, do two. If you can’t do two, do one. But do something. Just Do Ten is about momentum. It’s about building change into your life one rep, one breath, one choice at a time. Day eleven is in the books, but the journey continues.

Namaste. Double biceps coming in.