Not all humans are created equal, and some people have unique abilities that set them apart. Whether through record-breaking feats or consistent performance, these 16 people all shocked the world with what they can do. Some talents can be learned, but some are just God-given.
Take New Zealander Kim Allan. Kim never started out as a runner and has claimed she doesn't particularly enjoy it. However, after breaking her leg, she vowed to come back and always stay on her feet. Kim is now an ultra marathoner and holds the record for longest continual run at 310 miles, over 86 sleepless hours. She did it at the age of 47. And you could barely get me to finish a 5k. We are not created equally.
Check out Kim and 15 other incredible people with unique physical abilities.
1
American ultra-marathon runner Dean Karnazes ran 50 marathons in 50 US states in 50 consecutive days. He then ran home to San Francisco from New York.
2
Tim Cridland is a performer known as the “torture king.” He performs extreme acts and has a uniquely high pain tolerance.
3
“Rubberboy” Daniel Browning Smith is an American contortionist. He can dislocate limbs to achieve feats.
4
“Nicknamed the "Iceman," Wim Hof is a Dutch adventurer and daredevil who ran an Arctic marathon at minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 29 degrees Celsius) – while shirtless. He also holds the world record for being immersed in ice for an hour and 44 minutes.”
5
Sakinat Khanapiyeva is the strongest grandma in the world. The 76-year-old from Dagestan, Russia, can lift a 52-pound dumb-bell, break horseshoes and twist 2-inch steel rods. She was able to move a 661-pound container at 10 years old.
6
British man John Evans balanced a 352-pound car on his head for 33 seconds.
7
Magician David Blaine trained himself to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes; a record.
8
Martin Laurello, the "Human Owl," could turn his neck a full 180 degrees.
9
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome allowed Felix Wehrle to stretch his skin to great length and take on the name "Elastic Man."
10
Mirin Dajo could pierce his body with numerous objects, seemingly without injury.
11
Forget marathons. New Zealander Kim Allan broke the record for “longest continual run,” going 310 miles in 86 hours.
12
The “Human Lightning Rod” American park ranger Roy Cleveland Sullivan was been hit by lightning seven times and survived.
13
Although it is difficult to know for sure if he was telling the truth, Prahlad Jani was an Indian monk who claimed he no longer needed to eat or drink anything. He participated in two studies, one lasting eight days, and one lasting ten. In neither was he observed eating or drinking anything, and he was no worse for wear. He claimed he hadn’t eaten or drank in 70 years before his death in 2020.
14
Isaac Sprague, “The Living Skeleton,” began losing weight at 12. He performed with P.T. Barnum before dying of asphyxia.
15
Sideshow performer Myrtle Corbin had the ability to move all four of her legs.
16
American weightlifter Paul Anderson lifted 6,270 pounds, “the greatest weight ever raised by a human being.” It is widely believed he lifted more in other undocumented attempts.
