Debrief with Debb:  Things I Learned This Week (That No One Asked For) Quick warning . This post includes sweaty armpits, push-up honesty, a mini body-image meltdown during a photoshoot, and a facial that turned into life advice.  You’re welcome.  First things first.  Thank you!  After the Push-Up Challenge and Blog Challenge, some of you messaged (or told me in person) that you really enjoyed reading my thoughts and looked forward to more (which is super exciting and super

The Finale (Calm Down Deb, It Was 24 Days)  Dear Diary, Well … here we are.  The end of an era.  A 24-day era.  And honestly, I’m pretty proud of myself. Jus’ sayin’.  Over the course of this challenge, I did 2,000 reps. Not all  push-ups, but mostly. Some days when I felt blah, I swapped in sit-ups or squats. We adapt. We survive.  And my triceps.  Stronger.  My mind.  Stronger.  My discipline muscle.  Also stronger.  Today’s Target is 150 and I hit it.  And I did 11 push-up

One More To Go!  Imperfect, Consistent, and 200 Push-Ups! Dear Diary, It’s Day 22 of the push-up challenge and it ends tomorrow. WHAT?!  Crazy.  Part of my personal challenge was to write and share every day (Sundays off because I’m human). I missed three days. Now let’s do math because that’s how my brain works.  Challenge = 24 days.  3 Sundays off = 21 writing days.  I wrote 18 of those 21 days.  18 ÷ 21 = 85.7% (Details Deb here).  And honestly? I’m shocked. Not in an “I’

Day 18 & 19:  Balance, Brains & The One Friend Rule Dear Diary, Yes I know, I didn’t write yesterday.  Not because I didn’t care. Simply because I had Monday brain.  You know the kind… “Manic Monday.  6 o’clock already I was just in the middle of a dream.”  Too many thoughts, not many useful ones.  Also, yesterday’s stat was about social media, and honestly, I already wrote about that in a previous blog post. But yes, it is  relevant, so here it is.  “53 push-ups = 53% of you

Day 16 (and 17 because life happens): Push-Ups, Friendships & The Power of Showing Up Dear Diary, Confession time.  I didn’t write yesterday.  Not because I forgot.  Not because I quit.  Simply because I had one of those days.  Teaching, gym, practicing yoga, meetings, admin, life … and I decided I wasn’t going to write just to check a box.  Yes, part of my challenge is writing a

70 Push-Ups & The Power of the Story (My story) Dear Diary, Today’s push-up goal is 70, representing the 70% of people with mental health conditions who believe the media contributes to stigma and discrimination.  That means most people living with mental health challenges feel that the way these topics are talked about in the world makes things harder, not easier.  And honestly … when you think about it, that makes sense. The media is powerful. It shapes what we believe, wha

1,052 Push-Ups Done + The Sleep Effect Dear Diary, Woop woop!  We are officially over 1,000 push-ups in this challenge.  1,052 to date, and today was the day I finally caught up on all my missing ones.  And honestly, I think the reason is simple.  I finally had a good night’s sleep.   Last night I was lights out at 10:30pm, alarm at 5:45am, so just over 7 hours of straight sleep.  No coughing fits.  No waking up to blow my nose.  Didn’t even get up to pee.  Miracle right the

64 Push-Ups + The Social Media Reality Check Dear Diary,  It’s Day 13 of the push-up for mental health challenge.  Today’s push-up target is 64, representing the 64% of people worldwide who use social media. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, “Social media can be a powerful tool for connection, creativity and support. It allows people to share experiences, express themselves, and access valuable resources across the globe. While social media can have benefi

The Gratitude Reset: A Small Practice That Changes Everything Yesterday was Day 11. Rest day. Today is officially Day 12 of the challenge. Full transparency: I’m behind. This congestion situation is kicking my ass. During the day I’m fine-ish , but mornings and nights. Stuffed. Raspy voice. Sounding like Marge Simpson. Hubby Rui says it’s sexy. I’m choosing to believe him. At least stuff is coming out of me. Progress. Yesterday was full on Sofa Sunday mode. We basically

120 Minutes to Feel Human Again Dear Diary, Today’s push-up goal is 120, representing the research showing that spending 120 minutes in nature each week is linked to better health and wellbeing.  Two hours.  That’s it.  Science confirming what most of us already feel in our bones.  That being outside equals better mood, better brain, better human.  Canadian Mental Health Association says, “Being surrounded by greenery calms the nervous system, lowers stress, and lifts mood. 

From Crazy Train to Stepping Off the Train   Dear Diary Today’s push-up goal is 89, representing the 89% of girls and young women who report feeling worried or anxious.  Eighty. Nine. Percent.  That stat sounds crazy.  But honestly?  It also makes me (and probably you) feel less crazy.  We’re not alone. How could we not  feel anxious? Young girls are being targeted constantly.  Makeup.  The right makeup.  The “clean” makeup. Skincare routines.  Eyelash extensions.  My 9-year-

Dear Diary, Today’s push-up target number is 140. Oh snap! The highest number so far! Apparently , moving your body can increase your wellbeing by 14%. Fourteen percent? I’m not buying it. Every time I move my body, I feel 140% better. This afternoon, for example (still a little congested, still not feeling 100%) but I stepped into the hot room for the 12pm class (because hot yoga is the best) and just started breathing. Heat dilates blood vessels. Muscles soften. You s

50%, 46% and the Secret Smoker Dear Diary, Yesterday’s push-up target was 50. Fifty push-ups for the 50% of the world’s population who will experience a mental illness in their lifetime. Half. Let's look at a packed Super Bowl stadium as an example. Average attendance? Roughly 65,000–70,000 people. Imagine half of them. Over 30,000 humans silently battling something internally. That’s not a small number. That’s not “a few people.” That’s half of us. And yesterday, I

87 Push-Ups, Pets, and Triceps on Fire! Dear Diary, Today’s push-up target is 87, representing the 87% of pet owners who report improved mental health thanks to their pets.  I guess the other 13% don’t realize that pets are not just pets.  They’re roommates. Routine keepers. Emotional support. Furry friends. Family. I don’t currently have a pet, but back in my single days I had a cat named Buddy, a tabby with big energy. Buddy only lived 6.5 years, but in that short time he

100 Push-Ups, 10 Minutes and Mandatory Mindcare Today’s push-up target number is 100; representing the fact that just 10 minutes a day of mindfulness can positively impact mental well-being.  Ten minutes.  Not an hour.  Not a retreat. Not chanting on a mountain.  Ten.  Manageable.  Minutes. I’ve been doing 10-minute meditations almost daily for the last six years, after reading an article at the time that said 10 was the magic number.  Sometimes it’s 12 for me, sometimes it’

Why Push-Ups? Why this move. Why simple beats fancy. What push-ups expose. Dear Diary, Today’s push-up target is 75!  Not because I love suffering (really I don’t,) but because over 75% of lifelong mental health conditions develop before the age of 25. That stat hits. Harder than the 50 reps I did so far today.   It shines a light on early awareness and how having support really  matters. CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) notes that catching things sooner can prevent

Push-ups, Panic and Pressing Restart! Dear Diary, Today marks Day 1 of the Push-Up for Mental Health Challenge and I’m super pumped! (For now, until my arms fall off.)  But until then, I will keep reminding myself of my why  and I trust that will push   me through.  I have an amazing crew on my push-up team (still space for more) and generous supporters who’ve donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association.  This makes my heart so happy.  Thank you!! Having this supportive

A 23-Day Strength & Mindset Challenge Dear Diary, I’m sitting down to write a blog post for the first time since Covid days.  I can’t believe that all actually happened. It feels a bit wild to even type. That chapter feels like yesterday and also like   a   lifetime ago. So much has changed. So much hasn’t. Clearly, the blog took a very long Savasana.  My initial blog posts (pre-Covid) were mostly about my single life and dating adventures.  Sadly, (or not) they got lost in c

Dear Diary, As mentioned in my previous blog, (where I re-introduced myself to the world), there's a lot I want to talk about! Very...

Dear Diary, As you know, writing has always brought me a sense of peace, even as a young child. Something about putting pen to paper,...