Breaking one world record would easily be enough for most people.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Not Phil McDonald, however, who will attempt to secure his second endurance world record, in less than 18 months.
The Jim McDonald Memorial Event is set to be held at Ulladulla's Dunn Lewis Centre in April next year and McDonald is primed for a world record attempt.
"The world record I'm attempting is boxing for 150 straight rounds against sparring partners," said McDonald, who is chasing English boxer Josh Hughes' record of 142 rounds set in 2017.
"Considering everything I've achieved in life, I'm quietly confident I'll be able to succeed in this record attempt - making me the oldest person to ever do so too.
"With everything that's going on in the world right now, I thought this would also be a wonderful way the showcase community spirit because when we all put our minds together, I truly believe we can achieve anything we want.
"My aim is to galvanise the community through these tough and uncertain times because everyone needs that little bit of hope right now."
This attempt comes just months after the 59-year-old set a world record of punching continuously on the heavy bag for 24 hours - all part of the Les Galvin Memorial event at Mascot.
"The first world record came about as a way to raise awareness for mental health, which has been something close to my heart my whole life," McDonald said.
"My best mate Les Galvin, who I debuted in rugby with at Parramatta as a teenager and was the best man at my wedding, struggled with mental health issues his whole life and unfortunately took his life not too long ago.
"Even when Les was still around, I'd used boxing as a way to keep fit for my marathon paddling.
"Originally, I wanted to paddle for 24 hours straight but didn't get the support I had hoped, so the people in the boxing fraternity suggested I do something with them instead - as they said there was a record to be broken of 127 rounds of straight sparring.
"I thought that was a fabulous idea but with all the hurdles that arose from COVID-19, which prevented the judges from the Guinness Book of Records from coming out, it just seemed like a stretch too far - so we changed my goal to a marathon on the bag, which was already part of my training.
"It still allowed us to raise money is Les' honour and get the message out of 'when you surround yourself with the right people, you can overcome and achieve anything'."
From 9am Friday, January 29, McDonald spent 24 hours in front of the heavy bag, slaving away in front of friends and family, where he raised $5,000.
As powerful as his world-record performance was, it also proved to be a heartbreaking one for McDonald's family.
"That event sadly proved to be the last time I spoke to my dad, as a week later, he had a stroke and never fully recovered," McDonald said.
"During the ensuing week, I was amazed by the support we received from the stroke team at Westmead Hospital and at the funeral, mum decided she didn't want flowers, rather people donating to the Stroke Foundation.
"It was at this point I thought, as I had always wanted to do this 150 rounds of sparring and decided why don't I do it in honour of dad and raise money for the Stroke Foundation."
Coincidentally, the only date the Dunn Lewis Centre had in the first few months of 2022 was April 4 - the one year anniversary of the passing of McDonald's father Jim.
"My dad was the greatest mentor I could have asked for," McDonald said.
"He was a man that led by example for his whole 82 years.
"I miss him greatly and his life lessons will forever stay with me."
Supporting McDonald on the day, as both sparring partners and as feature fights later that night, will be some of the top fighters nationally and internationally - which is being organised by Neutral Corner Fight Promotions' Paul Nasari.
"There are about 25 different fighters I'll be lined up against throughout the day, who will jump in to do anywhere from five to 10 rounds against me - with my only rest being the one-minute break between each three-minute round," said McDonald, who will be wearing his father's kilt into the ring on the day.
"I'll be starting at 7am in the morning and going through to 5pm that evening, before Paul starts his amateur fight card from 6.30pm - where more than a dozen fights will take place."
To help McDonald, who is hoping to raise $10,000 for the Stroke Foundation at the event, prepare for the world record attempt, he will be trained by three-time welterweight world champion and Australian Boxing Hall of Famer Shannan Taylor, three-time Australian karate champion and renowned endurance trainer Jim Phillips and Ian Schaffer.
"Shannan, who has suffered a stroke himself, presented me with a belt after my first world record and has offered to help me for this attempt," said McDonald, who has previously boxed 70 rounds straight without a break.
"Once this lockdown is over, I'll be heading up to Wollongong to get some serious sparring workouts with him in.
"While I recently got in touch with Jim, who generously said he'd train me for free - his knowledge on endurance work is second to none.
"We all know these are hard times, so it's more important than ever for people to feel included and have a purpose."
McDonald, as well as his boxing training, keeps fit by swimming and running each morning, not to mention running free outdoor fitness sessions each Monday, Wednesday and Friday during lockdown at the Mollymook Surf Lifesaving Club - who, along with president Rod Austin OAM, have supported McDonald through all his world record attempts.
"I train close to 15 people three times a week from 4.30pm each day at the Phil McDonald Boxing and Fitness Facility which keeps me active but also acknowledge how important it is for people to feel part of a larger framework," the builder and father of three said.
"As I'm a ski-paddler as heart, I'll regularly jump on with a couple of other guys from the surf club for a number of hours and just paddle.
"There are also plans in place to eventually host a boot-camp each Sunday at $10 a head at the surf club, with all proceeds going to to the Ulladulla homeless shelter and help feed them - because I've personally seen a spike in people living out of their cars right now."
McDonald, on top of raising money and awareness, is driven by his family to achieve these incredible feats.
"My courageous wife Anica lost her kidney 18 months ago when she had a tumour the size of a grapefruit in it - she dodged a bullet that day as the surgeon found two tumours inside her kidney," he said.
"Her amazing strength has worn off on me and had a huge impact in shaping me into the person I am today.
"She and all my family push me to strive for my goals and this world record is just the latest one I want to tick off."
While McDonald's main focus is April 4, he admits there are plans further down the line to achieve a third world record, this time on the water.
"Prior to this year's lockdown, I'd set myself the lofty goal of achieving three world records within 12 months but obviously that won't be happening now," he said.
"However, I still have my eyes set on a paddling record, where I'll be on the water for an undefined time hopefully on Burrill Lake.
"All these records showcase mind over body and that if you put in the training and apply yourself, any goal is attainable.
"If I can do it at my age, anyone can do it - so I hope to inspire people to reach whatever dreams they have.
"I've been in others' shoes and lost everything but fought back to be where I am today."
Numerous local groups, including the Mollymook Golf Club, have already jumped on to support the Jim McDonald Memorial Event. If you'd like to do, please visit here.
Numbers to call if you or anyone you know needs help:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
- MensLine Australia 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue 1300224636
Sign up for the Voice of Regional Australia