Donna Jean Wilde, a 59-year-old Canadian grandmother of twelve, has set a new Guinness World Record by completing 1,575 push-ups in one hour, surpassing the previous record by 368 push-ups. She broke the previous record of 1,207 push-ups with 17 minutes remaining in her attempt, demonstrating exceptional strength and endurance.
Throughout her attempt, Wilde was supported by 11 of her grandchildren, who cheered her on and helped count down her sets. Her grandchildren held banners proclaiming “My grandma is amazing!”, providing motivation and emotional support during the challenge.
Wilde faced physical difficulties during the attempt, including dislocating her shoulder. Despite the injury, she managed to pop her shoulder back into place herself and continued with the push-ups. “I had to hold back the tears of joy and emotions and keep going,” she said, reflecting on her determination to complete the challenge, as reported by T-Online.
This remarkable achievement is not Wilde’s first world record. In March 2023, she set the world record for the longest abdominal plank by maintaining the position for four hours, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds. During her training for the plank record, Wilde incorporated push-ups into her regimen and developed a passion for them. “While training for that attempt, push-ups were an important part of my training,” she said in a video shared by Guinness World Records.
Following her latest accomplishment, Wilde emphasized the importance of staying active regardless of age. “I believe that if we stay active and have health and wellness goals, we can age gracefully and powerfully,” she stated, highlighting that age should not be seen as an obstacle to success, according to The Indian Express. She added, “Age is just a number. A person should see what they can achieve after believing in themselves. I aim to stay active throughout my life.”
Wilde’s experience as a lifelong athlete and her dedication to exercise were essential for her achievement. Infobae reported that her training was progressive and well-planned, ensuring that her muscles were prepared to withstand the demands of performing high-intensity push-ups for an hour. During the attempt, Wilde alternated between sets of 20 and 5 push-ups, maintaining a steady pace. She completed 620 push-ups in the first 20 minutes and then averaged approximately 10 push-ups per minute for the remainder of the hour. When not performing push-ups, Wilde was allowed to take breaks, which helped her maintain her endurance throughout the challenge.
Despite breaking the record early, Wilde chose to continue her attempt to achieve a higher number of push-ups. “I still felt quite strong and I was aiming for a high number of push-ups to complete in the next 17 minutes,” she said, as reported by T-Online. Her effort resulted in a total of 1,575 push-ups, a significant milestone in her category.
Wilde’s story has become a powerful message of empowerment and personal overcoming. She encourages others to stay active and pursue their dreams regardless of age, positioning herself as an inspiration to people of all generations. “I want my grandchildren to know that there are no limits to what they can achieve if they work hard,” she affirmed with conviction, as quoted by El Periódico.
The atmosphere of family love and support was vital for maintaining her motivation during the toughest moments of the challenge. The positive energy from her grandchildren gave Wilde the strength to overcome her physical limits. Beyond the fame of breaking two world records, Wilde believes the most important thing is to promote an active and healthy life at any age. “Plan to tackle each day with determination and become the authors of your own story,” she advises, according to El Periódico.
Donna Jean Wilde’s achievements demonstrate that with perseverance, discipline, and a positive mindset, any goal can be achieved, regardless of age.
