SALISBURY — John Peterson knows a thing or two about giving it his all.

On Saturday, the Rowan County native is going to attempt his latest effort to scribble his name into the history books.

“In March, a man set the world record for the most crunches,” Peterson said. “He did 20,000 crunches. He did it in five hours.”

Peterson plans to do it in three. 

“I am old school,” Peterson said. “Any record you set, if you want it you have to earn it.”

The aspiring crunchmaster hopes to make it into the record books but acknowledged that there are several steps beyond simply performing the task. 

“I would love to get the record certified by Guiness,” Peterson said. “But there are other record keeping organizations, like Record Breakers. As long as you have proof or evidence. You need to have two counters and a timer there, too, and it might take about 8 to 12 weeks.”

Peterson will be attempting to set the record at The Forum, a gymnasium on South Main Street in Salisbury, where he has attempted various crunches-related world records in the past. 

Peterson might be on the older side of 65, but he doesn’t consider age an inhibitor. 

“To me age is nothing but a number,” Peterson said. “It’s how you take care of yourself, the food you eat, the liquid you drink and the sleep you get.

“I hear people talking about living long, you have to change your lifestyle, what you do and how you do it.”

On Saturday, when Peterson goes for the record, he won’t be alone. 

“Right now, I have about six people that are coming as a backup in case someone can’t make it,” Peterson said. “I have a friend of mine, who plans to set up a live video stream.”

Although he is eager to break the record, he also hopes he can use the event as an opportunity to fundraise and send a donation to help with victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. 

“It’s not about me getting paid, my concern is helping people,” Peterson said. “I don’t want any money myself. I see where people try to donate money to people in need and it ends up in someone else’ pockets. I don’t like that.”

Previously, when Peterson set out to create a legacy for himself, he did 13,944 crunches in two hours. If he can maintain that pace he should be able to reach 20,000 in three hours. 

Whether he is successful or not, Peterson hopes that his attempt will serve to inspire others.

“People called me (in the past) and said, ‘John, you inspired me.’” Peterson said. “I tell people no matter how old you are, you can still exercise.”

He’s been training for this day almost his whole life, having started doing crunches in high school. He’s figured out a secret for helping stay in the right mindset. 

“Sometimes, I listen to music or think about something in my head that is pleasant,” Peterson said. 

It remains to be seen if he will break the record, but he is all systems go for Saturday.