“In a lot of the things we do, there is that point when you want to stop, your body says to stop, but it’s in those moments you know who you are and what you are made of.”
On November 25, active Navy SEAL and ultra-marathoner, David Goggins, attempted to break the world record of 4,022 pull-ups in 24 hours at CrossFit Brentwood Hills, in Brentwood, Tenn.
Just one month prior, 37-year-old Goggins made his first attempt at becoming the world’s best pull-upper, but his rig let him down after just over 13 hours and 2,588 pull-ups. He contacted affiliate owner, Tamaska, because he wouldn’t let equipment be the downfall of his second try.
“Most CrossFit gyms are serious,” Goggins says. “I couldn’t go to (a globo gym), they’re so pretty and fluffy. CrossFit gyms have chalk on the floor, people are working hard and sweating, they understand what I’m trying to do.”
Tamaska, 30, was hesitant at first.
“When he first sent me the email, I researched him,” he says.
But after discovering Goggins’ penchant for testing limits, he saw an opportunity to spread the word of CrossFit.
“Somebody’s ability to do something like that, whether they’re CrossFit or not, is pretty amazing,” he says. “(He has) that mentality to just keep pushing yourself beyond what you think you’re capable of doing.”
Goggins lasted 17-and-a-half hours, completing 3,203 pull-ups before his hands were torn too severely to allow him to finish within the time limit. Tamaska and CrossFit Brentwood Hills athletes appreciated the display of tenacity.
“When the blood was running down his hands and the muscles were exposed in his palms, he kept trying for as long as he could,” Tamaska says.
Watching Goggins, athlete Nate Dodd took away a renewed commitment to mental toughness.
“In a lot of the things we do, there is that point when you want to stop, your body says to stop, but it’s in those moments you know who you are and what you are made of,” he says. “I personally was inspired by him in that area.”
Three television stations, a newspaper and more than 100 people were drawn to CrossFit Brentwood Hills for the 24-hour spectacle. As a result, Tamaska and athletes had the chance to educate the community about CrossFit and share their passion.
“I had a guy contact me who does Ironmans,” Tamaska says. “He heard about David and he contacted me to see if we do CrossFit Endurance here because he wanted to pair that with the training he does now.”
“It served a greater purpose,” athlete Trey Robinson says. “Not only was there an attempt at a world record, but it was a way to let non-members see a community they might have never walked into.”
Goggins points out that CrossFit has made an undeniable impact.
“I’ve seen it all, and CrossFit has changed workouts as we know it,” he says. “It’s very impressive — you guys are able to push people way beyond what their limits may have been because of the community CrossFit has built.”
Tamaska hopes the experience will motivate his athletes to set challenging goals for themselves. Standing beneath the bar, he saw a man with torn hands and the opportunity to inspire.
“David is an average guy that has trained his body to do the unthinkable,” he says. “I am just like David. Sometimes seeing is believing. Seeing made me believe that I can accomplish my impossible goals, too. It might sound cliché, but when you watch something like that you believe anything is possible.”
