Tom Rowland, host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, fishing guide, CrossFit athlete, and creator of the 10,000 Pushup Challenge, delivers a crucial Week 3 update on the challenge that's testing the discipline of listeners worldwide. In this Physical Friday episode, Tom reveals how participants are crushing the challenge early—with two finishers already completing 10,000 pushups in nearly half the time allotted. He shares the real secret behind the challenge (it's not about strength), introduces the perpetual enrollment model that lets anyone start any day, and breaks down why getting started each day is harder than the pushups themselves.
What is the 10,000 Pushup Challenge?
The 10,000 Pushup Challenge is a 30-day discipline test created by Tom Rowland requiring approximately 333 pushups per day. It's designed as a test of discipline rather than strength or endurance, with participants able to start any day as it's now a perpetual challenge. A 3,000 pushup option (100 per day for 30 days) is also available for those building up to the full challenge.
Who is Tom Rowland?
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, a fishing guide, CrossFit athlete, and fitness advocate. He created the 10,000 Pushup Challenge to help listeners build discipline through daily physical commitment and is currently preparing for the CrossFit Games season starting March 11.
Title Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Tom trusts to keep his boat in peak condition. From boat care in a bucket to Salt Off for rinsing after days on the water, Star brite delivers performance and purpose through Project Sea Safe marine conservation.
Visit Star brite →Two Finishers Already Beat the 30-Day Timeline
Week three brought exciting news: Tom Wilkinson became the first participant to report completion, followed quickly by Ted Drever as the second finisher. What makes their achievement remarkable isn't just the volume—it's the speed. Both men completed all 10,000 pushups in almost half the allotted month, banking extra reps daily and finishing days ahead of schedule. Tom explains how the challenge's flexibility allows this kind of acceleration, and why the discipline of starting each session matters more than any single set. The strategy these early finishers used reveals something important about momentum and commitment. Tom breaks down what made these finishers successful at 2:50.
The Real Challenge Isn't Strength—It's This
Tom gets specific about what this challenge actually tests, and it's not what most people think. It's not a strength challenge. It's not an endurance challenge. It's not some test of manhood. The 10,000 Pushup Challenge is fundamentally a test of discipline—and discipline shows up in a specific way. Tom reveals that doing 10 pushups isn't hard, and doing them 33 times throughout the day isn't particularly difficult either. But there's one moment in every single day where participants face the real test, and it has nothing to do with physical capability. When you're a little sore and a little tired, can you drop down and get started? The discipline discussion that reframes the entire challenge starts at 4:23.
Hear Tom explain why discipline, not strength, determines who finishes
The Challenge Is Now Perpetual—Start Any Day You Want
In a major update, Tom announces that the 10,000 Pushup Challenge is no longer tied to a February start date or annual cycle. It's now perpetual, meaning anyone can text the word "pushups" to (305) 930-7346 and start their 30-day journey immediately. Tom has a big stack of certificates ready—both for the 10,000 challenge and the 3,000 challenge for those who aren't quite ready for the full volume. All you need to do is send in your score sheet when you finish. Tom also mentions a downloadable spreadsheet available at tomrowlandpodcast.com that tracks daily pushups, calculates remaining totals, and projects your finish date based on current pace. Details on how to join and what you receive at 2:12.
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SubscribeWorkout Strategies: Throwing Pushups Into CrossFit Training
Tom reveals he's been integrating extra pushups into his regular workout programming, and he references a specific workout that's perfect for challenge participants. He mentions ARF—a brutal combination workout featuring 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats, with a mile run on each end. If you complete ARF during the challenge, you've knocked out 200 of your daily pushups within the workout structure itself. Tom also puts out a call to participants: he wants to know what strategies they're using to get their pushups in. What workouts are they modifying? What's working and what isn't? He's genuinely interested in learning different approaches, having completed the challenge multiple times himself. Tom discusses his CrossFit Games prep and workout integration at 6:10.
Don't miss Tom's perspective on why physical training creates zero limitations in life.
This Physical Friday episode will change how you think about discipline.
Key Takeaways
- Tom Wilkinson and Ted Drever became the first two finishers of the 10,000 Pushup Challenge, completing it in nearly half the 30-day timeline by banking extra reps daily.
- The challenge is now perpetual—you can start any day by texting "pushups" to (305) 930-7346, with both 10,000 and 3,000 pushup certificate options available.
- The real test isn't strength or endurance—it's the discipline to drop down and get started when you're sore and tired, which Tom identifies as the hardest part of any day.
- Tom shares his strategy of integrating pushups into CrossFit workouts like ARF (100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, mile runs) as he prepares for the CrossFit Games season starting March 11.
- A free downloadable spreadsheet at tomrowlandpodcast.com tracks daily progress, calculates remaining pushups, and projects your finish date based on current pace.
- Tom is ramping up his own stretching program and promises to bring on the person who helped him achieve better physical condition through flexibility work.
- The ultimate purpose of physical training, according to Tom, is creating zero limitations so you can experience life exactly how you want—whether that's climbing mountains with your kids or maximizing time on the water.
Final Thoughts from Tom
This week three update gets me fired up every time I think about it. Tom Wilkinson and Ted Drever didn't just complete the challenge—they demolished it, finishing in half the time. That's what happens when discipline becomes momentum. You start banking reps, next thing you know you're way ahead of schedule, and suddenly you're holding a certificate weeks before you expected to.
I've done this challenge multiple times, and I can tell you the hardest part is never the pushups themselves. It's that moment when you're tired, maybe a little sore, and you need to drop down and knock out another set. That's where the discipline lives. That's where you prove to yourself you can do far more than you think. And that discipline transfers to everything else in your life.
Whether you're going for 10,000 or 3,000, whether you're on day three or day twenty-three, this challenge is about showing up every single day. If you haven't started yet, text me the word "pushups" and join us. And if you're already in it, keep pushing. I want to hear your strategies, your breakthroughs, and eventually, I want to send you that certificate. This episode captures exactly why we do Physical Friday—take a listen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join the 10,000 Pushup Challenge?
Text the word "pushups" to (305) 930-7346 to enter the challenge. You can start any day since it's now a perpetual challenge, and you'll receive access to a downloadable score sheet from tomrowlandpodcast.com to track your daily progress over 30 days.
What's the difference between the 10,000 and 3,000 pushup challenges?
The 10,000 challenge requires approximately 333 pushups per day for 30 days, while the 3,000 challenge requires 100 pushups per day for 30 days. Both come with completion certificates when you submit your score sheet to Tom, making the 3,000 option ideal for those building up to the full challenge.
How long did the fastest finishers take to complete 10,000 pushups?
Tom Wilkinson and Ted Drever both completed the 10,000 pushups in almost half the 30-day timeframe by consistently banking extra reps each day. The challenge allows participants to do more than the daily minimum and finish early if they maintain momentum.
What workout does Tom Rowland recommend for getting pushups done during CrossFit?
Tom mentions ARF, a CrossFit workout consisting of 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 squats with a mile run on each end. Completing this workout knocks out 200 pushups toward your daily challenge total while maintaining your regular training program.
When does the CrossFit Games season start that Tom Rowland is training for?
Tom is preparing for the CrossFit Games season beginning March 11, 2021. He's ramping up his training with increased stretching and mobility work in addition to integrating the pushup challenge into his programming.
Related Episodes
Tom breaks down additional Physical Friday training principles that complement the pushup challenge approach.
How Tom integrates CrossFit methodology with fishing-specific fitness goals and competition prep.
Tom discusses the tremendous stretching program that improved his physical condition leading into competition season.
Sponsors
Star brite
From boat care in a bucket to Salt Off, Star brite provides the marine care products Tom relies on. Their support of marine conservation through Project Sea Safe delivers performance with purpose.
Visit Star briteDanco
Tom trusts Danco pliers from the Seychelles to the Keys. Build your kit with the tools that perform when it matters most.
Shop Danco Pliers1st Phorm
Premium supplements that support Tom's training and recovery. Fuel your performance with products designed for serious athletes.
Shop 1st PhormMTN OPS
Performance nutrition for athletes who demand more from their bodies. Trusted by Tom for endurance and recovery.
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Built in the USA, GORUCK gear is designed for those who push limits. Rucking and training equipment that stands up to anything.
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From the Seychelles to the Keys, Tom trusts Nikon binoculars to find fish fast and upgrade his line of sight.
Visit NikonHH Insurance
Jake and Landon at HH Insurance know charter policies better than anyone. Call (727) 498-5551 and tell them Tom Rowland sent you.
Visit HH InsurancePeople Mentioned
Tom Wilkinson - First finisher of the 10,000 Pushup Challenge
Ted Drever - Second finisher of the 10,000 Pushup Challenge
Free Resource
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Tom Rowland
Tom Rowland is the host of the Tom Rowland Podcast, a fishing guide, CrossFit athlete, and fitness advocate. He created the 10,000 Pushup Challenge to help listeners build discipline through daily physical commitment. Tom is currently preparing for the CrossFit Games season starting March 11 and is developing an advanced stretching program. He focuses on helping people eliminate physical limitations so they can experience life fully, whether that means climbing mountains with their kids or maximizing time on the water.
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