When I started the Just Do Ten challenge, it wasn’t about being perfect. It wasn’t about who could do the most burpees, run the fastest mile, or lift the heaviest weight. It was about something simpler, something more universal: just doing ten. Ten reps. Ten movements. Ten moments where you decide, “I’m going to get up and move.”
But what has made this journey powerful for me isn’t just my own ten burpees. It’s when others join in—when community shows up in unexpected ways. That happened this week when I checked the mail, and waiting inside wasn’t just envelopes or bills—it was a gift of motivation from two people who’ve been part of my life for decades: Kevin and Vicki.
First Roommates, Lifelong Friends
Kevin and Vicki were my first roommates back in Tallahassee. They were also the first married couple I ever really knew. Living with them showed me what partnership looked like, what commitment could be, and how love can be woven into the everyday. Years later, to have them jump in on this challenge means more than words can capture.
Kevin is almost seven feet tall. A giant of a man. And when he said, “I’ll give him ten, no challenge necessary,” and dropped into his burpees—it took me right back to those Tallahassee days. His form, his energy, and his humor reminded me that this challenge is about showing up, no matter who you are or how tall you stand.
Vicki’s Next-Level Energy
But Vicki wasn’t about to be outdone. She sent me two videos. One on the Roman horse, getting in her reps like a champion. And not just ten. Fifteen going backward. Fifteen going forward. That’s thirty total. Overachiever? Absolutely. But also pure inspiration.
Watching her power through made me realize something: the motto “Just Do Ten” doesn’t mean you have to stop at ten. Ten is the starting line. Ten is the threshold that gets you moving. And sometimes, once you start, you find you’ve got more in the tank than you thought.
Why Ten Matters
There’s science behind the number ten. It’s attainable. It’s not intimidating. It’s a small, manageable step. For some, ten burpees might sound like climbing a mountain. For others, ten steps down the hall might be the victory. The beauty is that ten is adaptable. It’s universal.
That’s why I always remind folks: Your ten is yours. My ten might be burpees. Your ten might be stretches, squats, push-ups, or a walk to the end of the driveway. What matters is that you move.
And it’s not about comparison. Kevin’s nearly seven-foot frame tackling burpees isn’t the same as my set. Vicki’s thirty reps on the Roman horse aren’t meant to shame anyone. Instead, they expand the circle of possibility. They remind us that community multiplies motivation.
Safe, Supportive, and Fun
As I continue to share and promote this challenge, I want to be clear: Just Do Ten is about inclusion, not exclusion. It’s about adaptability, not rigidity. If you’re joining me, check in with your physician. Make sure your movement works for your body. This is a journey we take together, but each of us at our own pace.
The most powerful fitness movements in history aren’t the ones that demand uniformity—they’re the ones that make space for diversity. That’s what I’m trying to build here. Not just a burpee challenge, but a movement challenge. A call to action that says: do what you can, where you are, with what you have.
Gratitude for Kevin & Vicki
So when I saw Kevin and Vicki’s videos, I didn’t just see burpees and reps. I saw friendship. I saw commitment. I saw two people who’ve been part of my life saying, “We’re with you, Dubbs.” And that lit me up.
Kevin’s ten. Vicki’s thirty. Both inspired me to keep pushing. Both reminded me that this is bigger than me—it’s about us. It’s about everyone who decides today, “I’ll just do ten.”
Takeaway
So here’s the challenge for you:
Find your ten.
Do it today.
And if you can, share it. Send it in. Tag me. Let’s make this a community of accountability and encouragement.
Because when we check the mail and find energy, effort, and inspiration from friends, we realize: the Just Do Ten challenge isn’t just about fitness. It’s about life. It’s about connection. And it’s about proving that the smallest steps can become the biggest victories.
Kevin and Vicki, thank you for reminding me—and everyone else—what’s possible when we show up.
