Rafael Levine, 19 years old, from Perth, WA, is participating in The Push-Up Challenge for the fourth time in 2024. He was a Student Ambassador while in high school, and has supported many of his peers through their own mental health challenges. He has continued participating after leaving school and loves the feeling of accomplishment after completing each year’s Challenge.
Rafael shares with us the strategies he uses these days to maintain his own mental wellbeing, as well as his advice to others who may be experiencing mental health challenges.
Why did you decide to sign up to The Push-Up Challenge?
I have always been interested in supporting mental health organisations, given the profound impact they can have on people’s lives and the importance of recognising mental health on a societal level. However, up until The Push-Up Challenge, I never had found an organisation where the process of raising awareness could make such a difference to one’s own mental and physical health, as well as that of others, in such an enjoyable way, while also raising capital to further assist those in need of mental health treatment.
After getting an email from my Year 11 sport teacher, who was seeking out anyone wanting to run the Challenge for the school, I immediately found myself pouncing on the opportunity to sign up to both participate and lead this unparalleled challenge as a Student Ambassador. I am now doing The Push-Up Challenge for the fourth year.
Do you have a personal connection to the mental health cause?
Everyone has experienced some sort of mental health challenge throughout their life. Many tend not to speak up about their own personal struggles for one of two reasons (or both): either they believe it’ll make them look ‘weak’, or they think that no one else is dealing with the particular challenge they are facing.
Personally, I have many friends who have gone through tough times mentally and I have tried to make myself into a pipeline for them to let their struggles out and really just to be there for them whenever they need.
During the latter years of high school, I experienced some stress particularly during exam periods. I don’t think I spoke up enough about these stresses which didn’t help. All I really did was bury them beneath the surface, attempting to hide them. I didn’t realise that these feelings were completely normal, having been faced by everyone sometime in their life.
What advice would you give to someone else experiencing similar feelings?
We need to understand that stress is a natural emotion, and it manifests itself within everyone. As much as you may try to push it away, the pressure will just continue to build up until you burst. Firstly, don’t run away from it, it’ll always catch up to you. Rather, acknowledge the stress, say ‘hello’ to it, take a deep breath in and then let it just become a part of you, like every other emotion.
Furthermore, write down what might be stressing you out in detail. When you do this, you are often able to look at the thing bothering you objectively.
Lastly, speak to people. I guarantee you; you’ll take away something beneficial from talking to someone. Someone else can help you look at something from a different perspective which has the potential to change your perspective, and this has a plethora of benefits.
What sorts of things do you do today to maintain your mental wellbeing?
Exercise is huge. It’s a great way to get your mind off things and put your focus into something different. Whether it's playing a team sport or going to the gym on your own, you will always be able accomplish something that’ll benefit your mental health.
Speaking to people is also always great. You can always find someone to speak with that’ll be able to assist you in some shape or form.
One way that I maintain my mental wellbeing is through meditation and self-reflection, which for me manifests itself through religious prayer. When you truly contemplate your own micro existence relative to the vast macro universe, it truly humbles you. It can also very much calm you down to refocus your mind in the right direction, which can also be done through listening to music.
What was the best thing about doing The Push-Up Challenge?
This is a hard question, there are so many great aspects to the Challenge. I’d have to say that the feeling of accomplishment wins though. There is nothing like finishing a hard day of push-ups. Although you know at the back of your mind that you still have tomorrow’s push-ups to complete, you pushed through and finished todays, and there is something so rewarding about that. By the time you reach the end of the Challenge, you feel like you’re on top of the world.
What would you say to someone who’s thinking about participating this year?
Just go for it. Yes, it sounds hard (and don't get me wrong, it is!), but get out of your comfort zone and go for your life. The amount of benefits that stem from this Challenge, both on a personal and societal level, are numerous and you really have nothing to lose. You may believe that you’re not capable of completing this challenge, but that’s just you putting restraints on yourself.
It’s a personal growth challenge - you are the one to decide how you are going to push to exceed your limits this year, to become a better person than when you started. As my Rabbi (spiritual leader) always says: “When the obstacles in your path seem insurmountable, you just need to push harder.” Go to the website and sign up now, don't think twice, you’ve got this!
Why do you think it's so important that more Aussies, and others around the world, get behind the push for better mental health this year?
The more people, the better. This is not only in regards to raising more money to better mental health as a whole, but also to normalise people speaking up about their mental health.
Last year in my yeshiva (Jewish educational institution), I got all my friends from around the world to participate in the Challenge and it was truly unbelievable, in terms of both the bonding experience and the awareness that was raised. It’s such a great way to bring the world together to push for better mental wellbeing.
If you could share a final message of your own around mental health with our community, what would that be?
I once heard one of my Rabbis say the following: “vulnerability breeds connectivity.” Don’t be afraid to speak to your mate about your struggles. If he’s going to really judge you for it, he’s probably not your mate. You are not ‘weak’ if you speak to someone, rather you possess real strength. Go to someone who you feel like you can speak to and ask them if you can sit down and talk. At first, it’s scary. But, I’m telling you, both of you are going to walk away feeling great. You’re not only going to feel like a ton of weight has been lifted from your chest, but you’re going to now share something with this friend that’ll make you 10 times closer to each other. Opening up your soul to someone is the best way to build a friendship.
