Man Breaks Chin-Up Record With 10,001 Reps for Parkinson's

When David Brush grabbed the bar last Saturday afternoon, he had exactly one number in his head: 10,001. Nearly 24 hours later, his hand barely able to close around the bar and his body screaming in pain, he got there.

Brush completed 10,001 chin-ups in just under 24 hours at his Shelter Island home, crushing the current Guinness World Record of 7,479. The attempt raised more than $15,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, which funds Parkinson's research and treatment.

This was Brush's second shot at glory. In 2022, he set a world record with 6,757 chin-ups, only to lose it weeks later when Graham Morgan of the United Kingdom topped 7,000. Brush received his Guinness plaque, but the victory felt hollow.

So in August 2025, he wrote a message on the back of that plaque: "August 2026. 10,001." Then he got to work, completing more than 100,000 chin-ups over eight months of training.

The physical toll came fast and hard. Brush started the attempt with an injured wrist. By rep 6,600, he couldn't fully close his hand around the bar anymore. Pain shot through his shoulder and biceps with every pull.

At 3:43 a.m. Sunday morning, Brush passed Morgan's record. Morgan himself was watching the livestream and offered congratulations, calling himself the "now ex-Guinness World Record holder" and saying it was time to "pass the baton."

But Brush wasn't done. The hardest part, he said, was the mental game after breaking the record. He could have stopped, but he'd promised himself that number a year ago.

Why This Inspires

Brush's grandfather suffered from Parkinson's disease before his death. Every chin-up was for him. "Fighting Parkinson's," Brush said after finishing. "That's the only reason I got into chin-ups in the first place."

The fundraiser exceeded expectations, bringing in over $15,000 for research toward better treatments and a cure. For Brush, the money mattered more than the record.

By 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the counter read 10,001. Brush had spent 23 hours and 34 minutes doing what most people can't do once, let alone 10,000 times. His record now heads to Guinness for official certification.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is refuse to let go.