The Push-Up Challenge - It's Personal
This year I decided to participate in the push-up challenge to raise money for Lifeline – we are now in the final week as I edge towards the goal of 3,318 push ups.?For me, this cause is personal and it’s not something I have previously spoken about publicly.?I have watched in admiration at how bravely others have told their stories, how they have paved a path to normalise mental health and most importantly, have showed vulnerability without fear of being perceived as weak.?And yet I have held my story close for fear of judgement when it would never even cross my mind to judge others, in fact I have applauded them.?So now it’s my turn.
Over 18 months after giving birth to my beautiful little boy in 2014, I was finally diagnosed with Post Natal Depression.?I didn’t know how to answer those ‘Are You OK?’ questions because my version of ‘normal’ had been a skewed version of normal for so long.?The sad reality is, it was probably pre-natal depression as well but I guess I’ll never know for sure.?Nobody, apart from my husband, observed and later understood my hidden pain at the time – it’s hard to describe the feeling of being disassociated from the world when all people saw at work or socially was my brightest smile or my best efforts.?It was exhausting and finally one morning, I realised that I had hit a brick wall and sought help.?It was the best thing I ever did – for myself, my family and my career.
The irony of doing the push up challenge is not lost on me when my default position was to just ‘push through’ for so long.?And I’m not alone, 14.3% of Australian mothers will experience post-natal depression – yes that’s 1 in 7 so you probably already know somebody who has gone through this – and you can add me to the list.?Irony aside, the push up challenge reminds me that I am strong, not weak, and exercise, for me personally, has proven to be a great coping mechanism and recovery tool.
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So I salute all of my fellow 'pusher-uppers' – if that’s a thing – and ask that you consider donating to this fabulous cause.??
Here is my link :) The Push-Up Challenge (thepushupchallenge.com.au)
Award Winning Businesswoman: Researcher in Online Support for Family Carers and former IRC Scholar; Data Governance and GDPR Specialist; Speaking up for Care
3 年Congratulations on taking on this challenge (seriously, I can't even do 1 push up) and more importantly for sharing your story. Sending love and light to you ??
Experienced project manager, business operations specialist, knowledge management specialist and expert facilitator, DipESG
3 年Amazing Emma, as always! Admiring you grow in every possible way wherever you go.
Executive Leader | Modern Work and Security Lead at Microsoft | Dyslexic Thinker
3 年Thanks for sharing Emma Hughes. You are a bright, honest, intelligent person and I’m all the better for knowing you. You need a small tartan purse but not everyone in life is blessed with one of those. Thank you for sharing.
Well done Emma and thanks for sharing your story. As Brene Brown states, "Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage".
Growth manager - AppDev @ Google ??????
3 年Amazing story Emma Hughes thank you for sharing!