55 at 55: More Than a Plank Challenge

On May 3rd, I completed the ElevatEˣ “55 at 55” challenge ... holding a 55-minute plank on my 55th birthday during Mental Health Awareness Month.

What started as a personal challenge became something much bigger.

This was never simply about fitness. It was about resilience, discipline, mental toughness, and creating more conversation around mental health ... especially for leaders, entrepreneurs, and high performers who often carry pressure silently while continuing to push forward.

The Final Minutes

People have asked what the last few minutes felt like.

Honestly? Brutal.

I joked afterward that it felt like the scene in Braveheart where William Wallace has his guts ripped out. Dramatic maybe ... but in those final moments, it honestly felt accurate.

And one thing I emphasized after the challenge is this:

Every single time I do a long plank challenge like this, I experience the urge to quit.

Every time.

The 55 at 55 challenge was no exception.

That’s part of what I wanted this event to represent during Mental Health Awareness Month ... resilience is not the absence of struggle. Sometimes resilience simply means continuing forward while your mind is telling you to stop.

What helped me push through was the energy and encouragement from the people in the room. The support transformed the challenge from an individual effort into a true community event.

Community Support & Partnerships

One of the most meaningful aspects of 55 at 55 was seeing the community rally around the message behind it.

We included a mental health resource table at the event to help connect the challenge to Mental Health Awareness Month in a practical and meaningful way.

We were also grateful for local media support leading up to the challenge, including a feature on WRIC’s Showcase Richmond, which helped generate additional awareness and turnout.

Special thanks to:

• F45 Training Midlothian for hosting the event and supporting the training process

• Restore Hyper Wellness for helping support recovery and preparation

• Icy Hot for the thoughtful recovery package following the challenge

• Everyone who attended, shared content online, or supported behind the scenes

We’re grateful for the support!

Stay Tuned...

This is only Part 1 of the 55 at 55 story. In our next update, we'll share additional media coverage, community impact, and what's happened since the challenge ended.