From Overweight Alcoholic to World Record Pull-Ups: How David Goggins Inspired Enrique Zapata’s Extreme Transformation
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"I am not your f*ing hero. Don't put me on a pedestal." — David Goggins**
For Enrique Zapata, these words weren’t just part of an audiobook. They were a call to arms.
Today, Enrique Zapata holds multiple world records for pull-ups, including the 8-hour and 12-hour marks, completing over 7,100 pull-ups in 12 hours. But five years ago, he was obese, hypertensive, battling anxiety, and trapped in alcoholism. His transformation is not just about physical performance — it’s about facing the ultimate enemy: your own mind.
The Goggins Catalyst: From Admiration to Action
Zapata’s turning point began with David Goggins' book Can't Hurt Me. Like countless others, Zapata was blown away by Goggins' feat of 4,030 pull-ups in 24 hours. But it was Goggins' blunt message that cracked something open:
"I'm telling my story so you can think of yourself: what are you doing with your own story?"
This question haunted Zapata.
"That got me, bro. That got me deep," Zapata recalls on The Tom Rowland Podcast.
At that moment, Enrique Zapata chose to step off the sidelines. He declared to his family and friends that he would pursue the pull-up world record. It felt ridiculous at the time. His technique was terrible. Friends laughed. Even his parents privately wished someone would convince him to quit. But Zapata had already made the most important decision: commit publicly.
"The world is for the bold. You need two things: ability and courage."
Breaking Records Is Science, Not Luck
Zapata didn't approach this goal like a reckless dare. He became a scientist of human performance:
Nasal breathing: Only breathing through his nose to optimize oxygen efficiency.
Palm cooling: Using cooling gels and fans to regulate temperature and delay muscle fatigue.
Reduced eccentric loading: Limiting the negative portion of pull-ups to minimize muscle damage.
Fascia adaptation: Years of progressive overload to condition joints and tendons.
Amino acids & electrolyte balance: Managing neurotransmitter levels to avoid energy crashes.
"I've done more than one million pull-ups in five years. I'm still learning every day."
Outsourcing Reason: The Power of Team
Extreme endurance isn’t just physical — it's psychological warfare. Zapata understood that under extreme duress, you lose your ability to self-regulate risk. He outsourced that function to a carefully curated team:
His girlfriend, a clinical nutritionist, monitored hydration and early signs of rhabdo.
His physiotherapist assessed tendon and muscle integrity in real-time.
His inner circle understood his non-negotiable mindset to never throw in the towel: "There is no towel. I do not stop."
"If I allowed my mind to entertain doubt for even a second, the game would be over."
The Dark Side of Victory: Post-Record Depression
Perhaps the most powerful lesson Zapata shares is what comes after achieving the goal. Breaking world records left him hollow:
"After a great accomplishment comes a big depression."
Zapata calls it the Aldrin Syndrome — after astronaut Buzz Aldrin returned from the moon with no higher mountain to climb. His antidote? Service.
"If it's not of service, it's worthless. My transformation only matters if I share the lessons to help others."
The Second Mountain: Service Over Ego
Zapata is now writing multiple books, including Unbreakable and From Sapiens to Super Sapiens, sharing lessons on fasting, mindset, and human optimization. He knows his records will one day be broken. But his mission is larger:
"The mission is to bring humanity forward. If I can do it, anyone can do more."
His message echoes Goggins’ own:
"You think you're done, but you're only 40% there."
Follow Enrique Zapata:
Instagram: @ezbiohacker
Watch his world record attempts via IG Live.
Watch the Full Interview:
Referenced Episodes:
Richard Hernandez: Do Hard Things 365 — Ep #974
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