In Prior Lake, Minnesota, Tyler Shilson embarked on a mission to potentially set a grueling world record for muscle-ups while honoring the memory of his late friend, Curtis Lemair. The two had excelled in wrestling in high school, but tragedy struck when Lemair passed away in his sleep due to an undetected heart condition.
Determined to raise money for AEDs and change athletic physical protocols in honor of Lemair, Shilson reached out to Curtis’ father, Chad, with a plan to raise funds for each muscle-up he completed. The current Guinness World Record for muscle-ups in a day stood at 1,300, but Shilson aimed to surpass that.
Starting on March 22, Shilson began his grueling challenge. After hitting a roadblock with over 900 muscle-ups, his body began to shut down. Despite the physical toll, Shilson persevered and, after two brief naps, found a second wind. He unofficially broke the record with 1,321 muscle-ups, a feat that could potentially be recognized by Guinness pending verification.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Shilson expressed how the experience was life-changing and served as a reminder of his ability to overcome challenges. The impact of his efforts goes beyond setting a world record, as it also serves as a tribute to a lost friend and a catalyst for positive change in the athletic community.