New Year’s Wellness Challenge
Each January and February, The Whole U launches its signature New Year’s Wellness Challenge commonly known as Dare to Do. This campus-wide program encourages the community to start the year feeling focused, balanced and motivated.
Thousands of participants take part in this multi-week challenge. The goal is to make the new year less about resolutions and more about sustainable, meaningful change with a community of support.
2026 – Husky Strong Winter Games
Get ready to channel your inner Olympian because our first-ever Husky Strong Winter Games are launching as The Whole U’s 2026 New Year wellness program!
From February 9 to 27, join colleagues across the University of Washington and UW Medicine in a three-week wellness celebration inspired by the energy, resilience and unity of the Winter Olympics. Whether you’re skiing across your step count, medaling in mindfulness or fueling like a champion, every Husky can go for gold.
This challenge is built for all Huskies, offering activities that support you at any level. Participate individually while contributing to your campuses’ success, build camaraderie and celebrate what makes our community Husky Strong.
The first 1,000 participants to register will receive a Husky Strong crewneck delivered in campus mail!
Thank you to BECU and Husky Mobile for sponsoring The Whole U!
2025 — Dare to Do: Build Habits in 6 Weeks
In 2025, The Whole U hosted a six-week habit-building challenge focused on small, intentional steps that lead to long-term well-being.
Each week, participants “stacked” one new habit across five areas of wellness: physical, mental, financial, social, and creativity. The challenge was built around structure, community and consistency, helping participants recognize that sustainable wellness happens one step at a time.
Program features included:
- A downloadable Habit Stack Workbook with guided activities and reflection pages.
- Weekly emails introducing each new habit theme and sharing insights from UW experts.
- Community check-ins via Zoom to celebrate progress and connect with others.
- Virtual events to learn and hone wellness skills.
Interested in building better, sustainable habits? Try our Habit Workbook!
2024 — Dare to Restore: Experience 8 Weeks of Well-Being
The 2024 Dare to Restore challenge focused on renewal and balance, encouraging participants to find calm and connection after a busy year through small wellness interventions.
Over eight weeks, participants explored seven dimensions of wellness: physical fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, career development, financial wellness, connection, impact and sustainability.
The goal was to practice simple changes in each category, emphasizing reflection and energy restoration rather than traditional goal setting.
Download the Dare to Restore guide for 8 weeks of well-being tasks.
Husky Strong and Pandemic-Era Supports
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Whole U launched Husky Strong as part of our annual New Year’s program. This campaign uplifted and provided tangible support for UW employees navigating an unprecedented time of change.
The initiative raised funds for the UW Employee Emergency Fund, supporting colleagues facing financial hardship while fostering unity across the university. Participants engaged in virtual wellness challenges, weekly motivation emails and live online classes focused on movement, mindfulness and connection to help the UW community stay grounded and resilient while apart.
The spirit of Husky Strong is compassion, community and consistency. This is the foundation of The Whole U’s New Year’s challenges. Today, each new year’s program includes a piece of Husky Strong, from shared purpose to signature swag celebrating the strength of our UW community.
History of Dare to Do
What began as a simple new year wellness challenge has evolved into one of The Whole U’s most beloved annual traditions. Each January, The Whole U invites the UW community to continue this journey: To dare to move, to reflect, to grow and be well together.
