A dad-of-three from Wisconsin has set a new world record after completing more than 1.5 million push-ups in a year - and all to help the families of first responders.
The outstanding achievement was set by Nate Carroll, who has spent the last year incorporating an average of 4,000 push-ups into his daily routine.
Carroll completed his goal during half-time at the 48th Annual Fun City Bowl between New York City's fire and police football teams at MetLife Stadium on Monday (June 7). In front of the first responders, Nate completed his 1,500,231st push-up on the 50-yard line - smashing his own world record for the most push-ups completed in a 12-month period.
The money raised will go to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charity created to honor the life of NY firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life during the 9/11 attacks. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation now strives to help the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
Sharing a video of the final stretch, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation wrote on Facebook: "Last year, Tunnel to Towers Ambassador Nate Carroll started his mission to break the 31-year-standing Guinness World Records for the most push-ups done in a 12-month period while raising money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
"Today, Carroll has officially broken the record in front of a crowd of first responders during half-time at the 48th Annual Fun City Bowl: NYPD vs FDNY at MetLife Stadium. Thank you for your determination and commitment, Nate!"
In an interview with Fox News, Carroll said: "It was awesome to be on the field, to be cheered on by so many first responders."
Spurred on by his children, the doting father told the outlet that he wanted to "demonstrate to my kids what goals that seem impossible look like when they are broken down into daily manageable chunks."
Speaking about how the challenge changed him, Carroll said: "Averaging over 4,000 pushups a day certainly develop muscle in the arms and core," Carroll said, adding: "However, what was most noticed was my awareness of how my body felt and responded to the stress of thousands of pushups each day.
"[The] most dramatic change was… mental strength and the understanding that the body is a phenomenal creation, and if properly cared for and conditioned, can endure significant physical stress and accomplish tremendous feats."
However, despite breaking the World Record, Nate isn't stopping there. His 12-month period actually ends on July 13, and he's aiming to end his finished total with the numbers '911' in an effort to honor the first responders who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.
Well done, Nate! The world needs more people like you!
