What happens when a casual side gig turns into a global movement for mental health?
In this episode, Shayla and Kate sit down with Nick Hudson, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of The Push-Up Challenge. What began as friendly banter at the surf club became one of Australia’s biggest mental fitness events, raising over $50 million for mental health and connecting hundreds of thousands of people.
Nick shares how open-heart surgery, a battle with depression, and the itch to create something meaningful pushed him toward a bold career change. What started as a side gig became his passion, proof that following a spark can change not just your own life but the lives of many.
From engineering rules to outlaw moves, Nick talks about:
– Why innovation is so hard inside traditional careers – The leap from side hustle to full-time mission – “Mental health by stealth” and how a push-up can start a conversation – Taking risks, funding your dream, and failing hard (in the best way) – The tension between being sensible and going all in when you follow your passion
Whether you’re contemplating a career pivot, building a side gig, or wrestling with your own mental health journey, this episode is packed with real talk, risk, and resilience.
In this episode: – How a casual push-up challenge grew into a global event – Nick’s story of depression, open-heart surgery, and recovery – The courage to walk away from a safe career in engineering – Why side gigs can scratch the creative itch your career can’t – Practical advice on risk, failure, and building something that lasts
This episode is for you if: – You’re dreaming of a career change but stuck in the “what if” loop – You’ve got a side gig that lights you up more than your day job – You want to know how to follow your passion without burning it all down – You’re interested in practical, hopeful ways to engage with mental health
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🔗 Connect & Explore Hosted and produced by: Shayla Strapps and Kate Offer
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