‘Chief of push-ups’ Nick Hudson wins 2024 Local Hero for WA for mental health campaign ‘The Push-Up Challenge’

Jolimont resident Nick Hudson and now 2024 Local Hero for Western Australia has been recognised for his work in founding Australia’s largest online mental health physical challenge.

What began in 2017 as a push-up contest between Mr Hudson and a group of mates has since grown into a nationwide annual event with more than 200,000 participants.

The Push-Up Challenge is held each June, with the target number of push-ups being the same as the number of people who have taken their lives in Australia over the past year.

This year that distressingly high number was 3144.

“We get all sorts of stories from people across Australia and how it’s (the challenge) helped them,” Mr Hudson, 46, said.

“It’s helped them connect them with loved ones from across the country.

“It’s also helped those who have lost a loved one to suicide grieve and do something for mental health.”

Like the two million Aussies battling depression, Mr Hudson — who worked as an engineer for 15 years before The Push-Up Challenge became a full-time gig in 2021 — has had his own struggles with mental health.

After learning he needed open heart surgery in 2018, Mr Hudson fell into an “isolated” and “heavy” depression.

“I rejected my mates and rejected my family,” he said.

“Being bedbound for some time after the surgery, I decided to use that time with my own experience of depression and do something for mental health.

“From there I built the Push-Up Challenge into what it is today.”

The challenge raises money for various mental health charities, including Lifeline, Movember, Headspace and the organisation’s own charity, Push For Better Foundation.

This year it raised more than $14.6 million.

Earlier this month Mr Hudson — who is aptly nicknamed the “chief of push-ups” — was named 2024 Local Hero for WA as part of the 2024 Australian of the Year award.