“Greatness comes from within. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a town of 100 or 100,000—if you believe in yourself and work your butt off, you can do anything.”
Joe Decker
On This Episode
We talk with Joe Decker, Guinness World Record Holder and “World’s Fittest Man” who is a native of rural Forgottonia (Smithfield, IL). Joe is a military veteran, fitness entrepreneur, and founder of Gut Check Fitness which hosts The Suck—an ultra-endurance event held in Fulton County during Labor Day weekend.
What You’ll Learn in this Episode
- Explore the impact that small-town life has had on Joe’s identity and success.
- Highlight Joe’s journey from rural Illinois to international recognition.
- Discuss the ultra-endurance challenge The Suck, set right here in rural Forgottonia.
- Dive into fitness, mental health, and overcoming adversity.
- Spotlight the Diane Decker Memorial Scholarship at WIU.
Questions for Further Discussion
- What lessons can rural students learn from Joe’s journey?
- How do we redefine success beyond wealth or prestige?
- What can schools do to better teach financial literacy and resilience?
- How might communities better support local role models like Joe?
About Joe Decker
Joe Decker grew up outside of Cuba, Illinois, in a two-bedroom trailer with three siblings and a lot of heart. After overcoming a devastating leg injury in high school and finding new purpose in the U.S. Army, Joe built a career dedicated to fitness, mental toughness, and community.
He is known as the “World’s Fittest Man,” holding the Guinness World Record for the 24-hour physical fittness challenge. Joe is recognized as a leading figure in fitness and outdoor training. He’s appeared on The Today Show, Discovery Health, and the game show The Weakest Link. His fitness company, Gut Check Fitness, and signature event, The Suck, attract participants from around the world—but his roots remain in Fulton County.
Joe also established the Diane Decker Memorial Scholarship at Western Illinois University to support hard-working, financially disadvantaged students from rural areas.
Learn More About Joe:
Gut Check Fitness
Diane Decker Memorial Scholarship – WIU
- CRITERIA:
- Financial need
- First preference shall be given to new freshmen who graduated from Cuba High School located in Cuba, Illinois in the upper one- third of their graduating class
- Second preference shall be given to a new freshman who graduated from another high school located in Fulton County or McDonough County, Illinois
- A student may receive the scholarship no more than three (3) times and must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to be considered.
- CRITERIA:
The Suck – Extreme Endurance Event Info
The Forgottonia Project 