Strengthening the Mind: 1,800 Pull-Ups in 5 Hours

On April 16, 2016, I did 1,800 pull-ups in 5 hours. In addition to being one hell of a workout, it was a unique and challenging mental exercise as well. The idea for this “fun” was first inspired by legendary Navy Seal David Goggins, who, among other amazing endurance feats, set the world record for most pull-ups in 24 hours by doing 4,025 in January of 2013. It was his third attempt at the record, his first two ending in injury. I had heard a lot about “Goggins,” via The Rich Roll Podcast, and I was curious to dip my toe into similar waters.

By the time I undertook this crazy challenge in April of 2016, the world record had ballooned to 6,800!!! With this in mind, I did 3 hours and 10 minutes straight; 6 pull-ups every minute for a total of 1,140 pull-ups. What I remember thinking was that one would have to do that 6 times in ONE day to just barely beat the record! Crazy! Anyway, I took a two hour break to eat and get a massage – a leg massage believe it or not – and then I returned for another 110 minutes to reach 1,800 total.

The world record for most pull-ups in 24 hours is currently held by Lennert Schots, who did an astounding 11,900 pull-ups on December 13, 2025 in Belgium. Incredible! I am pretty confident that I could do 4,000 plus, but almost triple that? No thank you. But, my hat’s off to all of the guys who’ve attempted this crazy bit of endurance, and especially to those who used it as a vehicle to raise money for worthwhile institutions like The Wounded Warrior Project. Inspiring!

This morning’s workout: 10×14 pull-ups (3:00 minute intervals), a relative walk in the park. 🌱😜🌱