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Mexican strongman and biohacker, Enrique Zapata began 2026 by breaking the Guinness World Record for number of pullups completed within 24-hours, but the health transformation that he made to get there is perhaps the most inspiring aspect of this changemaker\u2019s story.<\/p>\n
Zapata defied the odds by repping an astonishing 12,345 pullups on January 31<\/a>, beating the previous record of 11,900 that was held by Belgian athlete, Lennert Schots<\/a>. This marked the third pullup record taken by the Mexican, who also muscled his way to the most male pull ups in 8 hours (4.949) and the most male pullups in 12 hours (7,100). Those records have now been overtaken, but his latest one affirms that hard work continues to pay off.<\/p>\n Speaking on the Tom Rowland Podcast<\/a>, Zapata shared that he had not always been an athlete in the prime of conditioning. In fact, he was overweight, suffered hypertension, and was desperately addicted to alcohol. Zapata felt sure that if he didn\u2019t change his ways, an early death would be the end of his story. Fortunately, he picked up the book \u201cCan\u2019t Hurt Me\u201d by David Goggins<\/a>, and his perspective soon changed. In the motivational book, Goggins notes that this is his own narrative, so what will the reader do with their own story? \u201cThat got me deep,\u201d he told the podcast. \u201cThe world is for the bold,\u201d he explained. \u201cYou need two things: ability and courage.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite announcing his intentions to family and friends about pursuing a pullup record, and then delivering on that goal, Zapata says that he is not an extraordinary human being. In a recent Instagram post, the inspirational figure explained how his story could genuinely inform change, in anyone that has the desire to make positive steps. \u201cMy story is one of transformation, overcoming, and a single trial,\u201d<\/a> he wrote. \u201cIf it doesn\u2019t break the laws of physics, it\u2019s possible\u2026 and it\u2019s possible for you,\u201d added Zapata.<\/p>\n To break the 24-hour pullup record, Zapata explained on the Tom Rowland Podcast that he focused on nasal breathing to maximize oxygen uptake<\/a>, used cooling gels to protect his palms, mastered progressive overload training, and consumed a mixture of amino acids and electrolytes to avoid crashes and cramps. \u201cI\u2019ve done more than one million pull-ups in five years,\u201d he explained. \u201cI\u2019m still learning every day.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to making positive changes in his lifestyle, or training for world records, Zapata said that he owes much of his success to a non-negotiable mindset and a refusal to quit. \u201cThere is no towel. I do not stop,\u201d he confirmed. The motivational Mexican athlete is now working on his own books with the hope of sharing the lessons he has learned on<\/p>\n fasting, mindset, and biohacking. \u201cThe mission is to bring humanity forward. If I can do it, anyone can do more.\u201d<\/p>\n To follow Enrique Zapata on Instagram, click here.\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFrom Alcohol Addiction & Hypertension to Elite Endurance Athlete<\/h2>\n