In early June, a Wisconsin father named Nat Carroll broke a Guinness Book World Record for completing 1,500,231 push ups within the span of twelve months.
The 45-year old father of three shared that while he was “not getting any younger,” he didn’t allow his age to stop him from breaking the world record, doing 3,000 pushups while competing in a marathon, doing 5,000 more while competing in a 31-mile trail race, as well as completing the new world record for finishing the 1.5 million plus pushups throughout one year.
Carroll, who has a job as a social worker, decided to start on the world record on June 14, 2020, which was Flag Day. He explained that his motivation to complete the task was due to two things. One, was to teach his kids a lesson ‘in the power of perseverance’ by giving them an example in real-time.
He told Fox News, “[I wanted to] demonstrate to my kids what goals that seem impossible look like when they are broken down into daily manageable chunks.”
Secondly, he also wanted to show that he is a positive role model for kids, since he also committee to raising money for a cause close to his heart and that he really believes in, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This organization works to helping ease financial burdens for families that have lost one of their members who works as a first responder.
Carroll, who shares custody of his children while working a full-time job, had difficulty finding time in his busy schedule to do thousands of pushups every day, which was a big struggle for him. But he was committed to getting it done.
He explained to the Wisconsin State Journal, “To set aside time to do 4,000 pushups is impossible. You have to really make it a priority and be willing to commit to it and embrace the fact that you have to weave that into your day.”
He managed to complete the 1.5 million plus pushups by doing them at home, at work and even while during chores. In fact, he shared that whenever he had the chance, he would drop to the ground and pushup away.
Carroll managed to complete the countdown to his record-breaking goal on June 6th. He completed them during on a special 50-yard line halftime ceremony which was held on the 48th annual Fun City Bowl at MetLife Stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Carroll said in a statement issued by the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, “It was an honor to set a new world record here in New York in front of members of the [New York Police Department, New York Fire Department and Port Authority Police Department] and other first responders. I want this record to pay tribute to the sacrifice made by so many heroes that tragic day.”
Although Carroll had surpassed the previous pushup record, he continued to do more pushups to add on to his final number during the final week of the competition until the deadline was over.
So that he can claim the title of the Guinness World Record, as well as oust the current titleholder that has held the record for almost 32-years, he has made sure to diligently document his pushups by writing them down in a logbook alongside a time-lapse video all throughout the year.
Although Carroll is still waiting for Guinness to verify his win and for the official title to be transferred to his name, he explains that he hasn’t forgotten his original inspiration which is for the fallen first responders.
He told Fox News, “Set a goal, and get after it. Make it who you are, not something you do. That way, when it gets hard and life throws obstacles in your way and offers you convenient excuses to stop or says it’s too difficult, you find a way to endure and persevere and keep after it. Winning those mini-battles each day builds strength and shapes one’s perspective of what is possible.”
To see more of Connell completing the challenge, take a look at the YouTube video below.
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