The Burpee Krewe

A message from Erin...

5,050

That’s the number of burpees one will complete during the 100-Day Burpee Challenge. And by “one,” I mean me. And by me, I also mean three members of the Game On team and most of our respective spouses.
By January 11, 2026, our seven-person crew will have completed a grand total of 35,350 burpees.

The Start
One day in the office, Jake, our COO and resident fitness fanatic, was talking about various challenges he’s done over the years. Somewhere in the conversation, he mentioned a burpee challenge.
That’s when I launched into a passionate rant about how much I despise burpees. Like, will-not-join-certain-group-fitness-gyms level of loathing.
Jake, of course, loves them. He sang their praises: the cardio benefits, the full-body workout, the challenge....
That night, after finishing my yoga practice and reflecting on what “hard” really means, I did something unexpected.
I did a burpee.
And thus began my first of 5,051.

The next morning, when I confessed this ludicrous decision to the team, things escalated quickly (after some “Erin, what have you done?” rhetoric).
Jake dropped for one.
I restarted my count (hence, 5,051).
Steve hit the floor.
Chris followed.
Spouses were recruited.
My husband was simply instructed to “do one burpee and ask questions later” (and he actually did).
And just like that, the Burpee Challenge was born.

The Rules
At Game On, we like knowing the Rules of the Game. Jake, our fearless burpee leader, laid them out in our “Burpee Krewe” text thread:
1. Start with 1 burpee on day one, and add 1 more each day.
2. The challenge lasts 100 days, ending with 100 burpees on day 100.
3. Choose your burpee variation and stick with it throughout.
4. You can split up your burpees into sets or spread them throughout the day.
5. If you miss a day, you must make up the missed burpees the next day.
6. Miss two days, and you restart at day 1.

The Why
At this point, you may be asking: Why would anyone choose to do this? (Fair question. I’ve asked myself the same thing mid-burpee.)
Remembering our why, especially when things get tough, is what keeps us moving forward.
My why: I love having something to train for. I want to show my kids that goal-setting and mental toughness matter. And I’m always up for something that improves my well-being.
Here are a few of my teammates’ whys:
• Improving endurance and mental strength
• Building mental toughness and discipline
• Improving cardiovascular fitness and strength through a full-body exercise
• Goal achievement feels good, builds confidence, and reinforces the belief that tough or seemingly unattainable goals are achievable
• My wife told me to do them, so I am (he's a keeper)
• Doing something as part of a team with the dynamic of trust and respect in play builds connection with my spouse, teammates, and friends

The Takeaways
Your team may not belligerently bully you into a burpee bonanza (credit: Chris Friday), but there are some real takeaways here. Lessons that apply to any challenge, whether it materializes organically or is self-imposed.

At Game On, we use improv to help people build connection with themselves, with others, and with purpose, and I’ve realized those same principles are alive in this challenge.

1. Challenge matters…
Challenge pushes us to grow, adapt, and stretch beyond what’s comfortable. Without it, it’s easy to drift into complacency. Whether it’s mental, physical, or emotional, the right kind of challenge strengthens us in ways that make us proud of who we’re becoming.

2. ...And so does support.
Knowing I wasn’t doing this alone made all the difference. As Steve shared when we talked about our why, accountability matters, and doing life alongside others brings laughter, encouragement, and accountability  as we embrace the tough things together. Every day, our group text is full of encouragement, jokes, and a healthy dose of reality checks: “If you think 26 burpees is bad, just wait…” That’s love, Game On style.

3. Always remember your why.
Purpose is what fuels persistence. When I drop to the floor, push up, jump to my feet, and leap—just to do it all over again—I think about being better for my kids, my husband, and myself. I think about how grateful I am to be able to exercise. And I remind myself that I’m one day better than I was yesterday. Whatever the challenge, your why, your purpose, matters deeply.

In the end, this challenge isn’t really about the burpees, it’s about showing up. It’s about choosing to do something hard, together, and discovering what we’re capable of when we lean into discomfort, accountability, and connection. Whether it’s in the gym, at work, or in life, growth happens in the reps, the moments we push through, laugh through, and lift each other through. And if a few thousand burpees help us strengthen not just our bodies but our bonds, then that’s a challenge well worth taking on.