It is humbling to follow a Veteran’s progress through transition and recovery. I’ve had the opportunity to do that with Marine Corps Veteran Robert Consulmagno.
Last year we met with Consulmagno and learned about how he uses Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to cope with bipolar disorder and PTSD. Later, we honored him as Veteran of the Day, to recognize him for using his story to inspire others. Now, as some of you may have heard on our latest podcast, he used his strength and endurance to fight the stigma of mental health by breaking a world record. Consulmagno has been training for it for three years and he finally did it.
“I’ve been putting my heart and soul into my cause,” Consulmagno said, “and I love it.”
Back in December, he attempted the world record for standing ab-wheel roll outs. Its an exercise that is very hard on the core and requires a tremendous amount of strength and discipline. Most people have a difficult time doing two or three. He did 524 in an hour. Disabled American Veterans hosted and captured video of the attempt, but unfortunately, Guinness World Records denied the record due to a technicality in the camera angle.
Frustrated and determined, Consulmagno decided he would not give up and that he would not be denied. He reached out to United States based organization Record Setters to try again. On June 10, he attempted the record again at his local gym. This time he finished 539 repetitions, again under the time constraint 60 minutes. Record Setters reviewed the evidence and confirmed the results. He did it. Robert Consulmagno officially broke a world record.
Why are these accomplishments important to him?
“To help [inspire] Veterans like myself, combat or non-combat related, whoever it might be, whoever is fighting their battles,” Consulmagno said. “If you want something, you can do it, but its not easy.”
Consulmagno, true to form, is not done yet. He now plans to do 1,000 standing ab-wheel roll outs in as little time possible; a feat he hopes to complete in the observatory of the One World Trade Center.
Good luck, Marine!
Topics in this story
More Stories
Be ready before a suicide crisis by learning about resources that are available. You don’t have to face it alone.
In a two-part series, Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses some common myths surrounding PTSD with Dr. Kelly Maieritsch.
In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, we speak with with Dr. Greg Brown, Philadelphia VA clinical psychologist, about how safety planning can prevent suicide.
Tell that to the lazy fat millennials and college pukes.He is a true Marine…
I suffer from it…….I swim long distances in the ocean to get over this ailment..PTSD…
Semper Fi!!!!
Paul 0311 1/8 Charlie Co.1st Plt
Fantastic seeing a fellow vet accomplish a goal that helps him fight his PTSD. Semper Fidelis Marine and god bless you!
My name Reid Dronet I getting job with homeland security I need to know what con exercise
With weights please let me know his my E-mail (redacted) Thank you
Awesome feat !! You can do it!!
Listen up Roger!I have seen Marines do 25 years that have never deployed and were CONUS the whole damn time with not even a Sea Service ribbon on there chest.And I also seen Marines with 17 ribbons on there chest that did 4 years and seen intense combat,all Grunts/ Infantry 0311..
Where are you coming from Roger!!!!I guess they don’t rate VA benefits/those bad useless 4 year Combat Tested Marines!!!
This reply was meant for Valerie…Not Roger!!!!!
We should a person who might have not even been in so less th5 year get medicalwhen there are veterans who served to Korea or WeI can’t get any VA medical for the never put in a claim for they were to proud? The VA can’t handle the honorable claim buth theyare going to make sure the dishonorable people get there benefits for every INSTEAD OF MILITARY WHOM ARE going through he’ll every day with problems every day and can get there rating changed. They what the benefits go back in and serve till they get a honorable discharge.