EP 837 - Kevin Cullum, The Push Up Guy | Physical Friday

Kevin Cullum has completed over 800,000 push ups in eight years, working toward his ambitious goal of 1 million push ups, making him uniquely qualified to guide anyone considering the Tom Rowland Podcast's annual 10,000 push up challenge. In this Physical Friday episode, Tom Rowland brings on "The 1,000,000 Push Up Guy" to break down exactly how to prepare for February's challenge. Kevin reveals his simple two-part strategy for success, the mental breakthroughs that come from consistent push ups, and why starting with just 10 push ups in the morning and 10 at night can create amazing results. If you've been watching others complete the 10,000 push up challenge and wondering if this is your year, this conversation will show you exactly how to begin.

The Two Things You Need to Know Before Starting

When Tom asks Kevin Cullum how someone should get ready for the 10,000 push up challenge, Kevin's answer is refreshingly simple but profound. He breaks it down into two essential truths that anyone considering the challenge needs to hear. The first addresses the doubt that stops most people before they even begin, and the second provides the tactical framework that makes the impossible possible. Kevin's approach isn't about complicated training protocols or special equipment—it's about a mindset shift and a practical starting point that works for absolute beginners and experienced athletes alike. What makes his advice powerful is that it comes from someone who has done 800,000 push ups and knows exactly what works. Kevin's complete strategy for beginners starts at the beginning of the episode.

Start Small: The 10 and 10 Method

Kevin reveals the specific starting point that creates amazing results: 10 push ups in the morning and 10 at night. This deceptively simple approach addresses the question everyone asks—how do I get started? But there's more to this method than just the numbers. Kevin explains the physical and mental transformations you'll notice, from seeing your chest getting bigger in the shower to feeling your back getting stronger. The consistency component is where the real magic happens, and Kevin breaks down exactly why this matters more than intensity. He also addresses what happens when you can't even do one full push up, providing a modification that keeps you progressing without compromise. The full breakdown of the 10 and 10 method and why it works starts early in the conversation.

What to Do When You Can't Do a Single Push Up

Kevin addresses the scenario that intimidates many people from even attempting the challenge: what if you literally cannot do one push up? His answer cuts through the excuses and provides a clear pathway forward. He tells people to get on the floor and try one, and if a full push up from standard position isn't possible, there's a specific modification that maintains the movement pattern while building the strength you need. Kevin emphasizes that there are different ways to approach it, but the critical factor is doing something rather than nothing. This section reveals Kevin's philosophy that the starting point doesn't matter—what matters is that you start where you are and commit to consistency. Kevin's complete advice for absolute beginners and modifications starts in the middle of the conversation.

The Journey to 1 Million Push Ups

With 800,000 push ups completed over eight years, Kevin Cullum is on a remarkable journey that puts the 10,000 push up challenge in perspective. This isn't someone theorizing about what might work—this is someone who has built an entire lifestyle around the consistency and discipline required to achieve an almost unimaginable goal. Tom introduces Kevin as "The 1,000,000 Push Up Guy," and that identity carries weight when he breaks down how to approach February's challenge. Kevin's experience gives him unique insight into what happens mentally and physically when you commit to daily push ups, from the visible changes in the mirror to the internal shifts in confidence and capability. His approach to helping others isn't about making them into million-push-up athletes; it's about showing them they're capable of more than they think. Kevin's perspective on the 10,000 push up challenge from someone who's done 800,000 is revealed throughout the episode.

Final Thoughts from Tom

Every year when February rolls around and we launch the 10,000 push up challenge, I see people hesitate. They watch others complete it, they see the transformations, but they tell themselves it's not for them. That's exactly why I wanted to bring Kevin Cullum on for this Physical Friday. When someone has done 800,000 push ups, they know what they're talking about, and Kevin's advice cuts through all the excuses.

What I love about Kevin's approach is how simple it is. Ten push ups in the morning, ten at night. That's it. That's where you start. And if you can't do a full push up, you do them from your knees. There's no complexity, no special equipment, no reason not to begin. The consistency is what creates the results—physical results you'll see in the mirror and mental results you'll feel in your confidence.

If you've been considering the 10,000 push up challenge this February, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear. Kevin makes it clear: you can do this. It's completely possible. You just have to start where you are and be consistent. Listen to the whole thing—it might be the push you need to finally commit to the challenge.