When I started the *Just Do Ten* challenge, I knew it wasn’t just about burpees. It was about something bigger. It was about building consistency, embracing the grind, and creating a movement where anybody, anywhere, at any level, could get up and do ten of *something.*
That spirit came alive on Day Sixteen, which unfolded under the hot Florida sun in Jupiter, right after a whirlwind travel day and a long night of fellowship. It would have been easy to skip—but that’s not what this challenge is about. The burpees had to be done.
The Disclaimer That Matters
Before I even get into what went down, I always want to acknowledge something: I come to this challenge as someone who is physically fit and able-bodied. Not everyone starts from that same place, and I honor that truth. That’s why *Just Do Ten* is built for everybody. My “ten” might be burpees. Your “ten” might be walking. Someone else’s “ten” could be stretches, chair exercises, or yoga poses.
And of course, before starting any new routine, it’s smart to check in with your physician. This challenge is about encouragement, not exclusion. It’s about celebrating *your* effort, not comparing it to mine or anyone else’s.
The Setting: South Florida Heat
September 4th. Jupiter, Florida. The sun was blazing, the humidity was thick, and the energy was high. I laced up my shoes, strapped on my gloves, and stepped outside with nothing but my willpower.
The day before had been packed. Sean Pittman and I attended the National Championship kickoff luncheon, because this year’s championship is coming to the Orange Bowl in South Florida. Later that evening, in Riviera Beach, the city council and Mayor Douglas Lawson honored Sean Pittman for his work and his book *Disaffected.*
I had the pleasure of sitting in between Mayor Lawson and Florida Bar Association President Sia Baker-Barnes, along with her husband, Edrick Barnes. That table wasn’t just filled with titles—it was filled with leaders, people of impact, and people who represent excellence in their fields.
And the night didn’t end there. We wrapped it up at a cigar bar in Riviera Beach, where I met a sixty-eight-year-old man built like he was twenty-five.
“A clean diet and consistent weight training, working each body part only once a week.”
– Wisdom from a 68-year-old built like 25
I even snapped a picture with him to remember the moment.
So even though I traveled, had a full day, and a late night, when the sun came up again, we clocked in at Club #NoExcuses and got to work.
Because that’s what the *Just Do Ten* challenge is all about—finding a way, no matter what.
Honoring a Brother: Quasim’s 50th Birthday
This particular day wasn’t just about me or the burpees. It was about honoring a friend and brother: Quasim, pronounced Kah-Some—the creative force behind Paper Brown Bag Art.
September 3rd was his birthday, and he had just crossed into the legendary 50 Club. That’s a milestone worth celebrating. So I dedicated my Day Sixteen *Just Do Ten* challenge to him.
Quasim is an incredible artist. He creates wearable art—one-of-a-kind pieces that carry soul, story, and style. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the Eagles, he’s built a reputation not only for his craft but also for his character.
When you hit fifty, life shifts. You start looking at your health differently, your legacy differently, your future differently. And that’s why I wanted to make sure Quasim knew he had a brother in this journey. This wasn’t just about me knocking out burpees. It was about sending him—and everyone else watching—the message: Welcome to fitness over fifty. Welcome to the grind that never ends.
The Structure: Three Sets of Twelve
Normally, I talk about ten. Ten burpees. Ten push-ups. Ten minutes of walking. Ten of anything that gets you moving. But on Day Sixteen, I decided to push myself a little harder. Instead of stopping at ten, I went for three sets of twelve.
Twelve reps isn’t about breaking the rules—it’s about proving that once you start with ten, the sky’s the limit. Ten is the entry point. Ten is the floor, not the ceiling. If you feel good enough to go beyond, you absolutely should.
And let me tell you—those three sets of twelve hit different under that Florida sun. Sweat pouring, lungs burning, lactic acid filling the legs. I was stalling between sets, catching my breath, but I kept going. That’s the grind. That’s the challenge.
Lessons from the Day
- Consistency beats convenience. Travel days can throw everything off. Red eyes, luncheons, ceremonies—it’s easy to say, “I’ll skip today.” But consistency means you find a way, even when it’s not convenient.
- Dedication creates community. Dedicating this day to Quasim wasn’t just symbolic. It was real. It turned a personal grind into a shared celebration. This movement is bigger than me—it’s about all of us pushing each other forward.
- Adapt and honor your limits. Maybe burpees aren’t your move. Maybe you’re walking ten minutes. Maybe you’re stretching. That’s fine. Your body, your rules, your journey.
- Celebrate milestones. Entering the 50 Club is no small feat. Every birthday, every milestone, every achievement deserves recognition. This challenge is about more than muscles—it’s about mindset and moments.
- Seek wisdom. That sixty-eight-year-old in Riviera Beach wasn’t just giving me fitness advice—he was modeling longevity. Sometimes the biggest gains come from listening to those who’ve walked the path longer.
Closing Out Day Sixteen
By the time I hit that last rep, I was exhausted but proud. I threw up the double bicep pose—because sometimes you just gotta flex on yourself. That shoulder that once gave me trouble is stronger now. The body feels better. The discipline is building.
Day Sixteen wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy. But it was progress. And at the end of the day, that’s what the *Just Do Ten* philosophy is all about. Progress, not perfection. Movement, not excuses. Community, not isolation.
Just do ten. Ten burpees, ten push-ups, ten jumping jacks, ten minutes of walking, ten stretches. Do ten, and watch how your life changes.
Namaste.
