Category Archives: Juggling

World’s Fastest Juggler

This is the one that comes with the coolest title of my 6 Guinness World Records. I’m still in denial: it doesn’t seem real, or even possible. There are so many jugglers far more talented and experienced than me… then again, they’re probably spending time practicing much more interesting things. According to Guinness World Record rules, I’m now the fastest juggler in the world with 3 balls (which has more catches than any other number of balls). I guess that means I have a legitimate claim (one of many) to the title: World’s Fastest Juggler.

I also own the Guinness Records for speed juggling 5 balls, 3 balls blindfold and head rolls  and the Juggle WiKi records for 3, 4 and 5 balls.
Idaho’s Got Talent was a fun event run by KIZN radio 92.3. I made it to the top 20 to perform in the live finals. Then I qualified for the top 5 where I set the record in my live stage performance (live performances on stage with a time limit up the pressure 100-fold). I even got it on the first try which is the first time I’ve done that for a speed record. I only beat the previous record of 422 by 6 catches because my heart was about to explode from the adrenaline rush after I got about 30 seconds in. I ultimately finished 4th this year after finishing as the runner up last year (on a tiebreak).
28 Idaho's Got Talent Top 5 Finalists
Idaho’s Got Talent Top 5 Finalists and MCs
I hope I was able to get my message across that you can accomplish anything if you set your mind to it, work hard, and pursue it with a passion – including math and science.
Thanks for everyone who came out and helped:

Continue reading World’s Fastest Juggler

Idaho’s Got Talent 2016 and World’s Fastest Juggling Attempt

On Saturday, June 4th I’ll be competing in the finals of Idaho’s Got Talent at the Village at Meridian form 11 AM – 1 PM. For my act finale, I’ll be attempting to set the Guinness World Record for Most Juggling Catches in a Minute (3 balls). It’s my most ambitious record attempt yet, as it would give me a legitimate claim to the title of “World’s Fastest Juggler”. The current record is 422 catches in 1 minute (over 7 per second!). My 4 and 5 ball speed records are 408 and 370 catches in a minute respectively.

The event it free, outdoors and open to the public. I’d love your support.

As always, I’ll be talking about the importance of STEM and how if students set their mind on a goal and pursue it with a passion, they can accomplish anything.

idahos-got-talent-p1

World’s Fastest Blindfolded Juggler (5th GWR)

Today I set my 5th Guinness World Record at the inaugural FIRST Robotics regional competition in Taco Bell Arena at Boise State. You’d think by now that the nerves wouldn’t get to me, but they still do. On my fifth try I had a 49.6 second run with 364 catches to beat the minimum Guinness threshold of 250.

There were hundreds of students competing with some very impressive robots vying for a spot at the national competition. FIRST is an amazing program that promotes STEM education through robotics, mentorship and gracious professionalism.

Lots of MIT connections: Don Bosse is the FIRST President and MIT alum, VP of development Mark Giordono is an MIT alum, and of course co-founder of FIRST, Woodie Flowers, was a longtime professor of 2.007 which is what FIRST was modeled after. I did the e to the u du dx cheer for them. Before setting the record, I told Jennifer’s story of getting involved with FIRST and how it inspired her to become and mechanical engineer and go off to MIT (and I’m so glad she did, since she’s far and away the best thing I got out of MIT)! And now she’s a walking, talking, woman in STEM success story.

Check out the 1:31 video here:

Check out the Image Gallery Here

Thank you to the team:

33 Group Photo With Guinness and FIRST Team
Group Photo With Guinness and FIRST Team (Photo Credit: Mark Giordono)

Continue reading World’s Fastest Blindfolded Juggler (5th GWR)

5th World Record Attempt Scheduled April 2

Boise is hosting its first FIRST Robotics Regional competition at the Taco Bell Arena at BSU next weekend. It’s basically a competitive sporting event for academics. On April 2nd, after the 9AM morning rounds and before the Alliance selection (right before lunch), I’ll be talking to these motivated high school students about the importance of working hard, maintaining a positive mindset and some of the setbacks I once faced in a robot competition.Blindfold speed juggling cheeta

I’ll then attempt a Guinness World Record to claim title to the World’s Fastest Blindfolded Juggler. “Most juggling catches in a minute blindfolded (three balls)”.

The event is free and open to the public. Come watch these students and their robots compete and catch the juggling show around 10:45.

This record combines elements from two other records: blindfold and speed. It’s also the first record I’ll be attempting that’s new to Guinness (meaning there isn’t a person’s record I’m trying to beat, just a baseline of 250 catches in a minute). That makes sense, as there are probably only a handful of people in the world who can regularly juggle for a full minute blindfolded, let alone fast.

Chainsaw for STEM Fundraiser

Join us at the Idaho STEM Action Center Pi Day FUNdraising Event on Monday, March 14 at Telaya Winery in Garden City from 6:30-8:30.

At the event, I’ll attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Longest duration balancing a chainsaw on a chin. The current record is 1 minute 42.47 second(s). 

Register HERE by March 11 (or show up at the door).

Read more about the event here

If you’re curious what this record entails (the rules), here are the details: Continue reading Chainsaw for STEM Fundraiser

3rd World Record Set!

Juggling for STEM at the Kids Fair at Expo Idaho on February 27th, 2016. 3/16/16: Guinness approved it. It’s Official!

After a 30-minute juggling show inspiring kids to pursue STEM education, I attempted to set the Guinness World Record for “Most juggling head rolls in a minute (three balls)”. I beat the previous record of 135 on the first try with 141 but had almost 18 seconds left when I dropped a ball. On the 2nd try I got 194.

Here’s the minute and 1 minute 44 second summary of the day:

CBS News 2 showed up and I gave a short interview about what I was up to and how I try to encourage kids to pursue Science and Technology while I have their attention with juggling.

CBS 2 News Screenshot from Broadcast (Juggling for STEM)
CBS 2 News Screenshot from Broadcast (Juggling for STEM)
06 CBS News Interview
06 CBS News Interview

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the team.

25 Guinness Team
Guinness Team: Left to right: Matt Messenger, Michael Gilmore, David Hill, David Rush, Becky Beacham, Mike Beacham, Rodd Ritchie.

Thanks also to Kylee Granden at Cumulus media for inviting me and Tommy Collins at NASH FM 97.9 for the great radio voice introduction.

Image Gallery Highlights

Slice of MIT Blog Coverage

Bonus World Record for STEM – World’s Fastest 4 Ball Juggler (unofficial)

Hey there Folks!

On a challenge from Juggle Wiki, I decided to set another (non-Guinness) World Record. It took me 25 hours (including sleep and breaks) but I set a new world record to make me the World’s Fastest 4 Ball Juggler (unofficial). I do have video evidence.  Kids, if you set you mind to it and work hard: you can do it!

http://juggle.wikia.com/wiki/Speed_juggling (4 and 5 ball records recognized here)

Third World Record Attempt Scheduled

I have a Guinness World Record attempt for “Most juggling head rolls in one minute (three balls)” at the Kids Fair Saturday, Feb 27th at 1 PM at Expo Idaho. The current record is 135 head rolls. A head roll is where a juggling ball place on the head, rolls off, is caught and juggling resumes.

I’ll be giving a 45-minute performance encouraging students to pursue STEM degrees and then I’ll attempt to set the record.

Details on the Kids Fair

Thank you in advance to the folks who will act as official Guinness Witnesses to the attempt.

David Hill: Member, Idaho State Board of Education. Former Deputy Director for Science and Technology at the Idaho National Laboratory

Rodd Ritchie: Pastor, Cole Community Church

Michael Gilmore: Deputy Attorney General at Idaho Attorney General

World’s Fastest 5-Ball Juggler

DSC_9415
Group Shot with Witnesses and Crowd after Beating the Record

Today the 5 ball Guinness World Record speed juggling record of 330 catches in one minute was beaten by a 370 catch run at the Boise State Engineering and Science Festival!

3/15/2016 update: It’s Guinness Official (link to Guinness)!

The 2 minute Youtube video of the record:

Thank you to everyone (over 500!) who came out and I hope all you kids consider pursuing STEM degrees. Thank you also to the witnesses, timekeepers, photographers and videographers: I couldn’t have done it without you (credits below)!
This was the highest pressure show I’ve ever put on. It started with the official Guinness attempt – I had runs of 315 and about 300 catches, both over 50 seconds before a drop! I finally got it after several minutes of close calls and trying to calm my nerves. I then put on a 45-minute show promoting STEM education and emphasizing  the power of setting your mind something and working hard to pursue it. Some of the content came from Carol Dweck’s “Mindset”.

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Celebrating after beating the Guinness World Record

Image Gallery Highlights

SLICE of MIT News Coverage

Thank you to all who helped with the event:

Continue reading World’s Fastest 5-Ball Juggler

Second World Record Attempt Scheduled

A second Guinness World Record attempt is scheduled. On Saturday, February 6th , 1 PM at the Boise State Engineering and Science Festival in the Simplot Ballroom at the Student Union Building at BSU.

World’s Fastest 5 Ball Juggler, David Rush, All Ages, 1:00pm (45 minutes) (I) – Local technology professional and juggler on the side will share his STEM story told through juggling, culminating with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “most juggling catches in one minute (five balls)”.  The current record is 330 catches in 1 minute (5.5 catches per second).  BSU SUB in Simplot ballroom

The festival runs all day (9-4) with over 40 cool activities for kids of all ages. Come hear an astronaut speak, build your own circuit, design a catapult and see the freezing effects of liquid nitrogen.

http://coen.boisestate.edu/STEMExploration

As this is an official Guinness attempt, it must be verified by official witnesses. A couple folks who have graciously agreed to be the official witnesses:

Matt Freeman: Executive Director, Idaho State Board of Education

George Mulhern: CEO, Cradlepoint. Former partner, Highway 12 ventures; SVP, HP

Greg Alexander: Superintendent, Garden Valley School District