Introduction: Catching Up and Owning the Moment
What up, world? What up, world? What up, world?
I’m here talking about August 27th on August 28th because life threw me a curveball—my original video had no sound. Instead of skipping a day or pretending it didn’t happen, I decided to own it, adapt, and record a voiceover to prove that the work got done. That’s the spirit of the Just Do 10 Challenge: consistency, adaptability, and accountability.
This is Day Ten, and it comes with more than sweat—it comes with stories about logos, roommates, Florida State track legends, my parents’ wisdom, and what it means to know your worth.
Back to the Beginning: Logos That Tell a Story
In the video, I talked about a logo that says “2001.” That was when I thought I created my first T-shirt design. But then I remembered something deeper.
Back in 1994, me and my roommate Eric—“Big E”—started a company called 5am Designs. We designed a shirt to celebrate Florida State being ranked number one in the nation. We called it Head of the Nation Again.
That shirt wasn’t just cotton and ink—it was about pride, creativity, and learning the power of expression through design. Today, as I continue building brands and storytelling through apparel and content, I trace that DNA back to Big E and 5am Designs. Sometimes we forget our own history until a memory reminds us: the seeds were planted long before we noticed the roots.
Navy SEAL Burpees: The Work Gets Done
Day Ten wasn’t just about storytelling—it was about putting in the reps. I tackled Navy SEAL burpees. For those who don’t know, this variation includes a push-up and then a mountain climber after the push-up. It’s brutal, it works the core, and it makes you question your life choices around rep number seven.
I lost count a few times (honesty first), but the message stays the same: it’s not about perfection, it’s about effort. The mat slipped, my earbuds fell out, but I stayed locked in.
The Challenge: Passing It Forward
At challenge time, I had to decide: who’s next?
I reached back into my Florida State family and called out two incredible women who’ve kept our track team connected through reunions: Sophia Danvers and Tracy Pepoon. Sophia was part of our All-American 4×4 team, and Tracy was a distance runner who also happened to be my college neighbor, along with her sister Monica.
These women represent excellence, community, and perseverance. They’re the type of people who remind you that the circle is bigger than yourself. So I challenged them: Just Do 10.
Access and Inclusion: Why “Just Do 10” Is For Everybody
Here’s the thing: not everyone can do a burpee. And that’s okay.
The Just Do 10 Challenge is not just about burpees—it’s about doing something. Ten push-ups, ten squats, ten minutes of walking, ten deep breaths, ten sips of water.
I want this challenge to be accessible to as many people as possible. Movement looks different for every body. Some people are recovering, some are limited by injuries, some are just starting out. The point isn’t to fit one mold—it’s to build momentum in your own lane.
Inclusion matters. If you can’t do burpees, you can still be part of this. If you can’t do ten, do five. Can’t do five, do two. Can’t do two, do one. But do something. You belong here.
Shoutouts, Wisdom, and Foreshadowing
One thing I’ve noticed—if I say your name in one of these videos, it might be foreshadowing. That’s not an accident. These shoutouts carry weight because they connect the past to the present.
My mom’s wisdom: “Get yourself together. Keep yourself together.” We’re working on a shirt to honor her saying because it’s truth for fitness, life, and legacy.
My dad’s wisdom: “Know your worth. Then add tax.” He taught me early on that if you don’t assign your worth, someone else will—and it will always be less.
Big E’s legacy: He wasn’t just a roommate. He went on to become Dr. Chambers, proving that focus and hard work build legacies beyond athletics.
Lessons from the Workout
Burpees are humbling. At rep seven, the darkness sets in, and your body whispers, “Quit.” But if you push through that voice, you find another gear.
My cousin Rashida always says, “You can’t outrun a bad diet. You can’t out-burpee a bad diet either.” She’s right—the foundation isn’t just the workout; it’s the lifestyle choices. Still, the effort matters.
At the end, I hit a double bicep flex—something I didn’t even realize I had in me with my shoulder acting up. That’s the reward: little surprises when you don’t give up.
Celebration: A Birthday and a Bigger Message
Day Ten was also special because it was my niece Kiara Hill Price’s birthday. I sang her “Happy Birthday” (not well, but with love), and I want to honor her here too.
The message I leave her—and you—is simple: Just Do 10. Whether it’s ten minutes, ten reps, or even just one step forward when life feels heavy, action creates momentum.
Closing: The Philosophy of Just Do 10
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.
The Just Do 10 Challenge is not about numbers—it’s about breaking inertia, choosing progress, and honoring yourself with action.
Day Ten complete. Tomorrow is Day Eleven. The journey continues.
Namaste.
– Don West Jr., aka, “D-Dubbs”
