On March 11 and 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Natural Awakenings will host the PUSH Challenge at the Emerald Coast Holistic Health Expo, which will be held at the Emerald Coast Convention Center and Ross Marler Park. Gyms, CrossFit boxes, children’s sports teams, moms’ groups and other organizations are invited to form teams and register. The cost is $25 per participant ($15 for kids) and $100 per team of 5, with all proceeds benefiting the Boot Campaign’s ReBOOT program, which helps retired and active-duty military receive alternative treatment for health conditions not usually covered by insurance.

Both the expo and the PUSH Challenge are sponsored by Natural Awakenings magazine, Northwest Florida’s premier publication focused on natural health and green living, and a longtime supporter of the military. Publisher Daralyn Chase says she chose the Boot Campaign as the event’s sponsored charity because it’s a worthy cause that also fits with the mission of both the magazine and the expo, which showcases the latest trends in holistic and alternative health.

"We know that time doesn’t always heal the wounds of war, especially invisible wounds like PTSD and traumatic brain injury, which respond best to the kind of long-term, holistic treatment that ReBOOT provides," she says. "We hope Emerald Coast residents will show what they’re made of—and show our soldiers some love—by joining the PUSH Challenge and helping provide state-of-the art healing for veterans."

Teams or individuals can sign up for the PUSH Relay, taking place at Ross Marler Park between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., or individuals can choose the Yoga Pose PUSH, the Pilates Mat PUSH or the PUSH-Up Challenge, taking place at the park between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Participants raise funds for the ReBOOT program by getting pledges—say, a dollar a push-up—from family and friends.

For more info or to register for the PUSH Challenge, visit Emerald CoastHealthExpo.com or contact Heather Del Castilo at [email protected].