Supporting Mental Health Through Movement
At Online Distribution, we’re proud supporters of the Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health Awareness Week. Last year our team asked a great question: “What about the rest of the year?” That feedback sparked our Wellbeing Calendar and the Online Distribution Steptember Challenge.
Introducing the Steptember Challenge
September is our Being Active month - one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing. To bring this to life, we launched a virtual walking event powered by the My Virtual Mission (MVM) platform.
The virtual route from East Tāmaki (Auckland) to our Central Office in Hillsborough (Christchurch).
Checkpoints featuring campus photos, motivational quotes, fun facts, and distance updates.
Real-time maps and leaderboards that kept everyone moving together.
The Course & Milestones
We mapped a 1114.1 km mission with 30 milestone checkpoints. Each included:
- Photos from our Auckland and Christchurch campuses
- Motivational quotes to keep momentum up
- Fun facts about the route
- Distance updates so teams could pace themselves
Teamwork in Action
We formed 25 teams of 4 - 100 participants in total - grouped by workplace proximity to encourage daily interaction and support.
Tracking
Participants could upload steps manually or sync via smart devices. MVM tracked everyone in real time and visualised progress on the route.
Inclusive by Design
Walking was the core activity, but other exercise types were converted into step equivalents so everyone could join in their own way.
Motivation
Conversation and camaraderie grew across teams with many choosing to walk at breaks to hit their goals.
Why September?
Spring brings longer days and better weather (in theory!) a great time to kickstart physical activity after winter. The timing made it easier to get moving outside work hours.
Positive Impact
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and the challenge became a company-wide talking point.
Spotlight: Malcolm Leask
Malcolm - a self-described “semi-professional walker” - previously completed the North Island leg of the Te Araroa Trail, featured on the Mental Health Foundation site.
His team, Digital Nomads, was first to finish our company mission.700 km in 17 days. Malcolm’s personal tally helped power his team across the line and inspired dozens of colleagues to find their stride.
The Podium
Top Teams
| Rank | Team | Days to Complete |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital Nomads | 17 Days |
| 2 | Kennaway Road 1 | 18 Days |
| 3 | Kennaway Road 2 | 19 Days |
Top Individuals
| Rank | Name | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malcolm Leask | 700 km |
| 2 | Greg Thornton | 586 km |
| 3 | Eden Rodrigo | 565 km |
Moments from the Mission
FAQs
Can I track activities other than walking?
Yes. We converted other exercises into step equivalents to keep things inclusive and fun.
Do I need a smart device?
No you can enter steps manually, or connect a phone/watch if you prefer automatic syncing.
How were teams formed?
We grouped people by workplace proximity to encourage daily interaction, support, and friendly accountability.
Why September?
Longer spring days and better weather help people get moving after winter - participation soared!.
Keeping the Momentum
Keep the momentum going - stay active, check in with others, and support the Mental Health Foundation’s work across Aotearoa.