Sgt. Sean Puleo doesn't believe in moderation.
A Marine security guard assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, Puleo is among a growing number of service members seeking to raise money for combat-wounded troops by completing physically extreme challenges. His pledge? To do 50,000 pullups and run 2,000 miles inside of a year.
Puleo was inspired by Sgt. Enrique Treviño, a fellow member of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group who is based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. With his "One Year, One Million Pushups" challenge, Treviño has raised more than $40,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project — and he still has two months to go.
Puleo, 24, has been at it since Aug. 4 and already has raised 10 percent of his $20,000 goal for the Wounded Warrior Project, averaging about 140 pullups and 5.4 miles each day. As of Oct. 30, he had logged 145 miles and 3,267 pullups.
"Those numbers will steadily increase as I have begun to go beyond the minimum requirement — my max being 232 pullups in one day and 10 miles in one day," he told us.
Unlike Trevino, who can drop and do pushups anytime, anywhere, Puleo is restricted to locations that have a pullup bar, such as his office and the gym. He prefers to do his pullups — and his running — in one 90-minute to two-hour block each day, knocking out a set of pullups after each mile.
"Physically, it's becoming a little easier," he said.
After an initial setback caused by a hamstring injury and chronic inflammation in his shins, he said he's now back on track and confident he can complete his goal.
"If there's anything I've learned it's that the extraordinary is never impossible, it comes down to mind and matter," he said. "And when Marines get together for an important cause, there is no limit to success."
Find out more on Sean's 1 year challenge on his Facebook page, and to donate, visit his fundraising page through the Wounded Warrior Project.
And want more stories of service members going the extra mile? Check out Marine Sgt. Tyler Chittick, Marine Staff Sgt. Derek Dowell, Marine Capt. Mosi Smith and Marine Sgt. Enrique Treviño.
Are you or one of your buddies doing anything physically extreme for a good cause? Let us know at pt365@militarytimes.com.
Sgt. Puleo will continue checking in with PT365 periodically with updates on his challenge. Stay tuned to find out how he's doing throughout the year.
