Momentum Media steps up to wellness challenge

The powerhouse group behind leading industry brands, including Real Estate Business, Smart Property Investment, Accountants Daily, and Australian Aviation, launched the intraoffice STEPmentum challenge, which ran from 5 to 30 September in a team tournament style. 

A total of 38 employees from the group’s Sydney and Manila offices voluntarily took up the call, which required them to log their step count for each day on the platform 10000steps.org.au. 

But hitting the pavement was not the only way to get their step counts up. During the event, participants could choose to do a range of activities to get physical, including walking, running, yoga, and cycling.  

According to Hannah Kramer, the office administrator for the Momentum Media group, the initiative was launched as a way to promote physical wellness within the workplace. 

Ms Kramer said that the challenge — which is now in its second year — was launched to bolster camaraderie (as well as competitive spirit) among the Momentum group, describing the event as a “mostly friendly competition”. 

“We created random teams in the hopes that in this new work-from-home lifestyle, it would give staff a chance to connect with colleagues they may normally never work with. 

“It was especially motivating to see how positively our teammates in Manila responded to the challenge, and became truly integrated despite the geographical distance,” she stated. 

The seven teams who were off to the races also showed their fun-loving side right from the starting line, with quirky and pun-filled team names such as Kill-O-Metre, Led Steppin’, Blister Sisters, A step ahead, and STEPtacular.

When the time-out competition was underway, Ms Kramer reflected on the different motivations putting the spring in the participants’ steps. 

“While some of the staff used the tournament as a way to prioritise implementing more physical activity in their day-to-day, others were dead set on winning and would check their standing on a weekly basis,” she stated. 

In a welcome twist, Ms Kramer also revealed that some employees came out of their shells during the event. “It was a lot of fun and sometimes surprising to see who had that competitive side to their personality!” she jovially recalled. 

Team Hotsteppers, which comprised Adam Thorn, Alex Minassian, Charlotte Laurent, Zarah Torrazo and led by Lyndsey Fall, took the top podium spot at the end of the competition with an average of 435,830 steps.

Ms Fall shared her insights from the event. “Stepmentum, now in its second year, proves to be as competitive as ever. It’s a great initiative that not only gets you out and about and encourages you to be active, but it shows we have some impressive athletes in the business.”

She added that the team took initiative to go above and beyond to stay ahead. “We quickly noticed that your average 10,000 steps a day just won’t keep you in the game,” she reflected. 

The team captain also lauded her team’s efforts. “Team Hotsteppers worked hard, with a special mention going to Adam Thorn, who had his game face on from the beginning. Well done, team!” 

Individual participants who stood out from the pack were also recognised. The top five steppers for the event were Michelle Paragas, followed by Myluck Castaneda, Jenny Doak, Adam Thorn, and Laine Poirier — all boasting steps averaging above 500,000 during the challenge. 

Ms Paragas, who is based in Manila and works as the group’s digital coordinator, shared her journey to clocking in a whopping 659,214 steps. 

She recalled that the idea to join the wellness challenge stemmed from her colleagues. “Without their motivation, I wouldn’t have thought about it in the first place.” 

As a longtime fitness enthusiast who dabbled in several activities such as strength training, running and playing tennis, she said that the event was right up her alley. 

But she also shared that the event gave her the push to try out other ways to get moving. “I was able to explore different activities such as spin class, Muay Thai, and chair dance,” she stated. 

She also gave a behind-the-scenes look at how she managed to outpace the competition. “I did at least 3,000 steps in the morning, so I had to wake up extra early. Then after work, I would go to the gym to do my usual routine, probably one to two hours [of] cardio and strength training.

“But I do all the leg work mostly on weekends. I would run in the morning, then take on at least two physical activities in the afternoon. I also put in a lot of hours for tennis and dance sessions,” she said. 

After the top steppers were revealed, she described feeling “happily surprised” after bagging the first place. 

“I didn’t think all that I was doing was even up to par. I was just enjoying my new-found love [for] the different activities I chose to do. But I must say, I did have a little bit of competitiveness during that time, which motivated me a lot,” she professed. 

When asked what direction the group’s wellness initiatives are heading, Ms Kramer said that the next step challenge would focus on contributing to a greater cause. 

“As for future plans for the step challenge, I think that finding ways to contribute to the fundraising aspect for ‘Steptember’ would be a great way to pay it forward, and get more people involved next year,” she said.

She stated that while the company is now rolling out other programs towards improving mental health among the staff, such as LifeStreet partnership, as well as Mental Health First Aid Training for the firm’s team leaders, she admitted there is “definitely room to do more”. 

“STEPmentum added a lot of positivity to our workplace this past month, and I think that great outcomes will come from keeping that momentum going,” she concluded.