Elke's Story
This year I am completing 3,214 push-ups in 23 days to raise awareness and funds for mental health in Australia.
For those that know me well, they know I don't often ask for help, open up about my struggles or share were my head is at, I try to stay as positive and happy as possible. However, a lot of people don't know that I have struggled with depression for many years. After losing a close friend to suicide I knew it was time to seek help from a psychologist again. This was a long process; however, I was so thankful to have this type of support available to me. I then participated in the Push up challenge to help raise money to give back to places like headspace and lifeline that offers resources someone to talk too without the individual needing to have money to see a psychologist... lets face it, they can be expensive.
More recently, over the last 8 months, I was put on a medication to help relieve paid I have from endometriosis, unfortunately whilst this does help my pain, it had a massive impact on my mental health. Whilst going through this journey, my specialist recommended that I have endometriosis surgery again with the caveat of freezing my eggs first.
In March I came off the medication that helped me, to work towards the egg freezing process. I started this in April, and on day 9 of hormone injections I went to have a blood test to check my progress, and that afternoon I got a phone call to say my body had generated minimal follicles as there is no guarantee for eggs and they would not go ahead with the retrieval.
This was devastating to hear, and 5 days later I was back in my specialist's office having endometriosis surgery being booked in for May the 5th with the plan to of remove what endometriosis they can and the hope that my fertility will improve. I was also put back on my medication so help with pain management, and coupled with the news regarding my fertility and surgery it through my head into another tailspin.
So this year, I am not only participating in the push up challenge for those that have been lost to suicide, loved ones I know have struggled or are struggling with mental illness, but for myself, to give myself a goal for post-surgery recovery. Fitness has always helped my mental health, and I am hoping with this challenge it can help me keep pushing and remain positive through a period of unknown and recovery.
You can show your support by coming to join me for some push-ups and by making a tax-deductible donation to my page.
Every dollar helps #pushforbetter mental health outcomes in Australia by funding much-needed mental health services and initiatives.
Supporting headspace National
headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.
Each year, headspace helps thousands of young people access vital support through our headspace centres in over 157 communities across Australia, our online and phone counselling services, our vocational services, and our presence in schools.
The support headspace receives from the community helps us achieve our vision - that all young Australians are supported to be mentally healthy and engaged in their communities.
My Challenge History
Pushuperer for 3 years
| Push-Ups | Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,214 | $580 |
| 2023 | 160 | $35 |
| 2020 | 2,777 | $0 |
| Total | 6,151 | $615 |
My Push-Up Progress
Part of Team The great push up adventure
A great cause Molly