When Justin Young first arrived at the University of Maine at Augusta’s Bangor campus, challenging world records was the furthest thing from his mind. By his own admission, he was struggling to find his way. That changed when a supervisor took the time to invite him into the campus gym. The simple act of someone noticing and offering support set him on a path of self-improvement, endurance sports and now, extraordinary community impact.
Earlier this year, Justin attempted to set the world record for the most squats performed in 24 hours. The attempt fell short of the 30,000 squats needed for a world record, but Justin calls the effort a victory. “By hour seven my legs were cooked,” said Justin, but he pressed on for a total of 15 hours and completed 16,520 squats. He raised over $3,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, turning physical endurance into meaningful support for a cause close to his heart. Along the way, he also experienced how a network of family, friends, colleagues, and supporters can transform a difficult challenge into something bigger than a personal goal.
More than 100 people came out in person and online to cheer him on. Friends, family, co-workers and colleagues from UMA pitched in by cheering him on, guiding his pacing, counting each squat and making sure he had the nutrition and recovery tools to keep going. Among them was UMA professor Dr. Kelby Myers, also an endurance athlete, who carefully observed Justin’s efforts and offered valuable recommendations for future training. Justin’s brother, Jesse Young, was also on hand, closely monitoring Justin’s condition through the punishing challenge. For Justin, all of these acts of encouragement and care combined into something far greater than any single gesture. “That support made all the difference and kept me going,” he reflected.
This challenge may be over, but Justin is not done. He has set a new goal of raising $30,000 over the next two years, and he has mapped out a series of endurance events to get there. In 2026, he plans to run the Sugarloaf Half Marathon, organize and complete a Bangor-to-Augusta run, and take on a “last man standing” race with a goal of reaching 100 miles. In 2027, he will compete in a bike race before returning to the squat challenge for another attempt at the end of the year. Strengthened by lessons from this challenge, and by the encouragement of his community, Justin is determined to train smarter, build an even stronger support team, and keep pushing forward.
As we celebrate 60 years of transforming lives, UMA proudly recognizes Justin Young. His journey embodies what UMA stands for: the opportunity to become your best self, the resilience to keep moving forward even when challenges arise, and the community that lifts each other up through it all.