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Tank Lift 2024

By Justin Roux

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My Activity Tracking

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My target 68000 mi

Almost there - but adding more

It's November 25th and I've just pushed myself to 67 tonnes. I'm only 1 tonne from the target but that's as much as I'll dare to push myself. My shoulders and hands are complaining a lot and so I'm progressing in small steps but still using the 100kg bar.

With that said, the words of the Corporal at Tidworth ring through my ears: "She's 72 tonnes when 'bombed up'!" So, 72 tonnes it is. I have 5 days left in which to do it.

My colleague in Germany is pushing ahead with his lifting of fire-trucks and will complete his 70 tonnes by the end of the month too.

I have to stress my thanks to everyone who has sponsored and encouraged me along the way. More news as it happens.

November 17th

Over halfway through now and, despite a nagging injury in my right shoulder, all is going well. I'm joined by Ingo Kolhoff of the German fire service who is lifting 70,000kg in the form of almost 5 fire trucks.

After 6 lifts, I've passed 44 tonnes. The early acceleration has subsided and now it's a matter of getting my mind and determination behind every repetition. It's not easy but when I read the messages of support from the donors, it renews my vow to complete this. 

Onward and onward. 

Introducing Ingo Kolhoff

Ingo Kolhoff (on the right) is my colleague in Germany. Ingo is a super-human. He is a volunteer firefighter who does an enormous amount for charity. You'll find him running up skyscrapers in full breathing kit, taking part in the emergency-services Olympics and (like last year) joining me in the "1,000 press-ups in a day" challenge.

Ingo will be lifting 4.67 fire-trucks, because that's the same weight as my tank. He'll also be doing it for Combat Stress.

What a hero - proud to know him.

Day 4

I've now lifted 13,800 kg. The first session turned out to be a personal milestone (thanks to adrenaline, I think) and I smashed 7 tonnes in 7 sets. I've never done that before. Then I ate a HUGE burger and passed out for 10 hours.

In Germany, Ingo did an incredible 2 sessions, back-to-back before heading down to Spain to try to help out with the flood-relief efforts. I'm in awe of him.

So, here we are, 4 days and and going strong.

It begins on Nov 1st. I'm ready.

It's October 31st, and TANK LIFT begins tomorrow. I've just finished an interview with BBC Radio, and the interviewer was quite taken with my descriptions of PTSD and the challenge.

It's often when you hear the effect of your words on others that you realise the impact of what you're doing. This feels like doing the right thing. 

So here's my gym. It looks like a dungeon, but it's where the majority of TANK LIFT will happen. Keep watching. Spread the word.

3 days until TANKLIFT kicks off

With TANKLIFT only 3 days away, here's my latest thought on self-leadership as I prepare for this mountain of a challenge:

"Keep your objective in your mind all the time; not just what it is, but why and how you'll feel at the end. Stick to your path, even when your body says no, but don't be so stuck to your determination that you can't keep your ears open to the experts around you. They may not be trying to contradict the enterprise but improve it. Hear them, and by that I mean truly digest their words."

I have heard tips from pro lifters less than half my age and, as a result, I am probably stronger at 56 than ever before in my life. I'm ready for TANKLIFT and thankful for the journey so far. Please watch this very short film and, if you feel inspired, sponsor me and help the mental health of our combat veterans. Thanks.

Watch the latest film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_9oHPnvSWQ

13 days until it begins

TANK LIFT 2024 begins in 13 days.

Training is going well. I've managed to lift over 6.8 tonnes in each of my last 5 heavy sessions, but they're 5 days apart, not the 3 days apart that they will have to be in November. Stamina and recovery will be the big challenges (along with eating, hydration, stretching and getting lots of sleep).

But the biggest issue of the last 2 weeks has been simply feeling alone in the face of this. The messages of encouragement from the sponsors have been wonderful and heart-warming but, by stark contrast (and despite many mails), support from the media and "celebrity soldiers" has been absent. When I have my moments of doubt, I have thoughts of: "do people actually care, outside my group of friends?"

But then I tell myself that this is what it means to be out in the 40% zone - operating in a space in which you feel exhausted, uncomfortable and in which doubt starts to eat at you. This will be over for me by December, but the much greater feelings of doubt, alienation and loneliness that are felt by some of our veterans will go on and on, and put all of my own worries to shame.

TANK LIFT 2024 goes ahead. It's the biggest challenge I've ever taken on and I'm doing this. The energy and the drive will come from my tank, and mine alone. In the words of the poem: 

Out of the night that covers me,
      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
      Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
      Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
      How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
      I am the captain of my soul.

Why I'm lifting a tank

It's October 8th, 2024 and I have under 3 and a half weeks until TANK LIFT begins. I don't know if I can do it but I'm going to give it everything I can. Here's my motivation: "when you think you've had enough, your body is just telling you you've got 40% left." Great leaders can take you out into your 40% zone until, one day, you can do it yourself or even take others into theirs.

So that's where I'm going, and I'm doing it for those heroes who've left their minds out in their own 40% zone - some awful place in which they did their duty to restore peace.

Here's my second short explanation film. Please do what you can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLRHCQQVD1M


Lifting a Challenger 2 tank for veterans' mental health

Throughout November 2024, I'm going to attempt to bench-press 68,000kg - the weight of a Challenger 2 Tank - 68 tonnes in 30 days. I'm being joined by Ingo Kolhoff of the German fire service, who will be lifting 4 fire trucks.

We rely on our armed forces to maintain the peace that we take for granted. They live in a world that most of us only imagine while we eat popcorn in the cinema. Sadly, too many members of them return from action but leave their minds in the field. We owe it to them to help bring them home. This is for the brave people who "get up front and do what's right."

Watch my short film here: https://youtu.be/FkCcinf8Qv4

Please Help Me
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£1,231 + £191 GiftAid

My Goal

£1,000

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My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

£118.72

Gus Brazier

You will do it Justin , we need people like you As where would the funds come from ? There wouldn’t be any ? Proud of you mate 👍

£106

Kim Ettari

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver You’re doing remarkable things to help others. I’m in awe. Kim

£100

Linda And Eric

Very impressive challenge for such a worthwhile charity.

£53

Linda

Well done Justin

£53

Anonymous

£50

Graham Brandon

Good luck Justin....a really worthwhile cause.

£50

Mathias Nessim

Fantastic Challenge Justin, a truly worthy cause, these are the real heroes who we owe so much! Well done for supporting them.

£50

Ghazala Kaler

So proud of you- well done for raising awareness about this issue

£50

Yousef

Good luck mate , very impressive challenge and for such an important cause !

£31.80

D Eskinder

Well done very proud of 👏 , I hope all goes well 🙏

£28.62

Danny Crisp

Best of luck mate 👊👊

£28.62

Sandra Mahoney

Well done Justin. Have a well deserved rest now x

£28.62

Pat Roux

Proud of you. Xxx

£28.62

Helen Duke

Well done Justin! Such a wonderful cause.

£28.62

Annette Chappell

Good luck Justin!

£28.62

Bj Smith

Good luck!!

£28.62

John Peter Leesi

£27

Davo

Every rep counts, say it believe it and achieve it, every rep counts!

£26.50

Anonymous

£21.20

Nrg

Incredible challenge ;-)

£20

Jo Brodie

Well done a great cause

£20

Scott Elwell

Tremendous effort for a very worthy cause!!!

£20

Bushra Kaler

Good luck Justin x

£20

Anonymous

£17.28

Michael Doyle

£15.90

Sam Mccullagh

Good Luck Geez💪.

£15.90

Pelayo Lobo Conty

Well done! All my support!

£10.60

David Smallbone

Have you lost your frigging mind 🤪

£10.60

Kirsty Mancinelli

£10.60

Keren

Good on you J!

£10.60

Elliot Sweeney

£10.60

Aakash Patel

£10.60

Jasmine Newton

Best of luck!!

£10.60

Anonymous

You tank Justin! 💪

£10.60

Rachel Hull

Good luck! ( Haven’t met you but I’ve heard a lot about you! I know you make good carriages for school plays! )

£10.60

Eashani

Good luck!

£10

David C

Keep pushing !

£10

Samir Brahmbhatt

Good luck Justin!

£10

Anonymous

£10

Alan Fynn

Well done Justin Go for it Alan at the school

£10

Corinne Howells

Best of luck Justin!

£7.95

Anonymous

Congratulations, Justin

£5.30

Rachel

You got this ❤️

£5.30

Anonymous