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Redding, CA – The Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC) is kicking off a new fitness challenge aimed at boosting employee health and wellness while fostering camaraderie. The initiative, which incorporates a variety of physical activities and exercises, is inspired by a military tradition known as the “Deck of Cards” workout.
Travis McIvor, Emergency Response & Safety Assistant at FNRC, explained the origins of the challenge. “I served in the Army for 20 years, and one of the things we did to make exercise more entertaining and competitive was an event called ‘Deck of Cards,'” McIvor said. “We assigned each card suit to an exercise, and the number on the card indicated how many reps you did.”
The concept was revamped for FNRC employees. In this version, each suit corresponds to a specific exercise: diamonds represent pushups, hearts symbolize meditation or personal reflection, clubs stand for lunges, and spades are knee benders. Employees are encouraged to complete a deck of cards, each deck earning 10 points.
McIvor emphasized the importance of making the challenge inclusive for employees of all levels. “We wanted to make sure it wasn’t too difficult,” he said. “Not everyone has the same time or abilities, so the challenge allows employees to do it at their own pace.”
The fitness challenge is optional and runs through the first quarter of the year, ending on 3/31/25. Employees can participate during breaks, lunch hours, or after work. “It’s all about finding a way to have fun and stay fit,” McIvor said, adding that many employees have requested more physical activities to start the year. “We wanted to give them something motivational, to put the best foot forward for 2025.”
Participants who choose not to do the prescribed exercises can substitute them with alternatives that better suit their needs, such as a different exercise or a workout at the gym. McIvor explained that each completed deck is worth 10 points, with additional points given for other activities such as individual gym hours or hikes.
So far, 21 employees have signed up for the challenge, with Callie Lievsay leading the pack with 110 points. Callie Lievsay, Service Coordinator at FNRC, shared how having a workout buddy has been key to her fitness routine. “I have a workout buddy! My daughter is on homeschool and has to do daily PE time, we go to the gym together and do 30 minutes on the bike and then swim for 30 minutes, that is an hour of exercise daily,” Lievsay said. “I also showed my older son the deck of cards challenge and he is competing against me. We are a very competitive family. Every day we check in with each other, and if I notice that he is further along on his deck, that pushes me to get back in the lead.” Lievsay’s commitment to staying active remains strong, thanks to the support and motivation from her family. “Having someone there to keep you accountable has really gotten me moving,” she added.
To keep the challenge fair, McIvor uses an honor system for scoring. “We don’t want anyone to feel pressured,” he explained. “Everyone’s a winner if they participate, and we’re just happy to see people engaged.”
Motivating participants and encouraging teamwork is a key aspect of the challenge. McIvor keeps participants updated by sharing weekly leaderboards and offering positive feedback for progress. “I make sure to reach out and tell people how great they’re doing,” he said. “It’s all about motivation.”
In addition to the competition, McIvor stressed the importance of team bonding. Participants are encouraged to partner up, which he believes helps keep them accountable. “You have someone to push you, someone who makes sure you show up,” he said.
The challenge also gives employees an opportunity to take short breaks during the workday to engage in physical activity. “Even if it’s just a few minutes of lunges or knee benders, you’re getting your blood pumping, and it helps reset the brain,” he added.
Executive Director Melissa Gruhler stresses the importance of quality of life. “Health and Wellness is not just about diet and exercise it is also about making intentional decisions to take care of ourselves by preventing illness, reducing stress, and surrounding ourselves with those we are connected with so that we improve our quality of life,” she said.
As for the future of the fitness challenge, McIvor is committed to keeping it fresh. “I want to mix things up so that it doesn’t get boring,” he said. “Exercises can get repetitive, and when that happens, people lose interest. My goal is to keep everyone engaged, and I’ll likely continue with similar events in the future.”
McIvor encouraged employees to keep up with the challenge, even after the competition ends. ” It is important to recognize that the Army’s outlook on wellbeing is more than just physical. When I served the Army, we had Three Pillars of Well-Being which are; Fiscal, Mental, and Spiritual,” he said. “You cannot be great at one and lack on the other two for a healthy life style. We need to balance all three to stay, strong, fit, and happy. Take time to reflect on mental health, erase all the noise gathered from the day”