Physiologist and endurance athlete Tyler LeBaron will go after a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title to spotlight the role of mitochondria in human performance and raise awareness and support for mitochondrial research.

ATLANTA, November 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Countdown, a nonprofit accelerating mitochondrial science and medicine and bringing cellular energy to the center of human health, announced The Energy Project, its new initiative to generate awareness and philanthropic support for mitochondrial research through extraordinary physical challenges. Introduced at the Eudēmonia Summit in West Palm Beach, The Energy Project connects human performance with Countdown’s mission to advance research into cellular energy, a field central to human health yet historically overlooked and underfunded.

The initiative kicks off November 14 at the Snow Canyon Half Marathon in St. George, Utah, where Dr. Tyler LeBaron, a physiologist, elite hybrid athlete, and member of Countdown’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Board, will go after the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for Fastest half marathon carrying a 40 lb pack (male). By taking on 13.1 miles with a 40-pound pack, LeBaron will bring attention to the mitochondria that power human movement and build support for Countdown-funded research. It is the first in a series of challenges planned through 2027.

At the center of this initiative is a fundamental connection between mitochondrial function and physical performance. Mitochondria are essential to cellular energy production, metabolism, adaptation to physical stress, and the body’s ability to sustain activity. Exercise is also one of the most effective ways to stimulate mitochondrial adaptation, improving the capacity of skeletal muscle to produce energy and supporting metabolic health.

But mitochondrial health extends far beyond athletics. Mitochondria are essential to the function of every organ system, playing a central role in brain health, cardiovascular function, aging, and disease. Advances in mitochondrial science are driving progress in precision diagnostics, therapeutic development, and our understanding of human health.

Despite the fundamental role mitochondria play across human health and disease, mitochondrial research has historically received a fraction of the attention and investment its scientific significance warrants. Countdown is working to change that through research funding, education, strategic partnerships, and efforts to bring greater visibility and resources to the field.

“Most people think about exercise in terms of strength, endurance or physical performance, but the biology behind all of it begins at the cellular level,” said Mitzi Solomon, Founder and President of Countdown. “Tyler is taking something extraordinary that people can see and experience and using it to bring attention to science that affects every one of us. We know how important mitochondrial function is to human health, yet this field remains significantly underfunded. We are committed to changing that. Every record attempt is an opportunity to reach new audiences, build support and accelerate the research that will shape the future of medicine and human health.”

For LeBaron, the initiative connects his background in physiology and scientific research with his commitment to athletic performance and mitochondrial health.

“Most world records are about proving what’s physically possible. For me, these attempts are about demonstrating what the human body is capable of and bringing attention to the mitochondria that make it possible,” said LeBaron. “I want to use these challenges to help people understand why mitochondrial health matters, not just for athletic performance, but for every aspect of human health. If we can turn these achievements into greater awareness, investment and scientific progress, that is a record worth pursuing.”

Inhale H2 Named the Founding Sponsor

Inhale H2, a molecular hydrogen technology company co-founded by Alex Tarnava and Dr. Tyler LeBaron, has joined the initiative as the Founding Sponsor, supporting LeBaron’s world-record efforts and Countdown’s mission to advance mitochondrial science and medicine.

The sponsorship reflects the opportunity for businesses committed to health, performance and scientific progress to play an active role in bringing greater attention and resources to mitochondrial research.

“At Inhale H2, we believe that advancing human health requires investing in the science behind how our bodies function,” said Alex Tarnava, Co-founder of Inhale H2 and a member of Countdown’s Board of Directors. “Mitochondrial health is fundamental to that understanding, and there is still so much work to be done. Supporting Tyler and Countdown gives us an opportunity to bring this science to a broader audience and help accelerate research that deserves greater attention and investment. We’re proud to be a Founding Sponsor and encourage other companies to recognize the importance of investing in this field.”

Advancing Mitochondrial Research

While the world record attempts provide a platform for public engagement, the partnership is grounded in Countdown’s commitment to accelerating scientific discovery and translating mitochondrial research into advances in medicine.

Countdown supports bold, high-impact research at leading institutions, including Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, the University of Florida, Emory University, and the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna, Austria.

Countdown’s growing portfolio of groundbreaking research includes projects spanning mitochondrial transplantation to address muscle degeneration, blood-based mitochondrial biomarkers to advance precision diagnostics, gene therapy for mitochondrial diseases, and research into how cells respond to low oxygen (hypoxia) to identify new therapeutic targets for Parkinson’s disease, cancer and other conditions.

Through this partnership, Countdown is bringing the science it funds to a broader audience, using Tyler’s athletic achievements to demonstrate the importance of mitochondrial health and encourage greater public engagement and investment in research.

“Tyler has a unique ability to connect scientific knowledge with extraordinary physical achievement,” said Julie Teer, Chief Executive Officer of Countdown. “This partnership allows us to reach entirely new audiences and engage businesses, philanthropists and individuals who recognize the importance of advancing mitochondrial science. Our goal is to turn that attention into greater investment in research and help accelerate discoveries that will change how we understand and approach human health.”

Throughout 2027, Countdown and LeBaron plan to pursue additional world record attempts alongside educational programming, fundraising initiatives, community engagement, conference appearances, and brand partnerships.

The goal extends beyond breaking records. It is to build greater public understanding of mitochondrial health, connect human performance with the broader significance of mitochondrial science, and generate support for research that can change how we understand and treat disease and advance human health.

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About Countdown

Countdown is a science-driven nonprofit dedicated to accelerating mitochondrial science and medicine and bringing cellular energy to the center of human health. Guided by the belief that Energy is Everything, Countdown funds groundbreaking research to advance the understanding and application of mitochondrial biology across disease, healthspan and human performance. Through research funding, education and strategic partnerships, Countdown brings together leading scientists, physicians, philanthropists, businesses and individuals committed to advancing human health. By investing in bold, high-impact research and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications, Countdown is working to move mitochondrial science from the margins to the center of medicine and human health. For more information, visit www.joincountdown.org.

About Dr. Tyler LeBaron

Dr. Tyler LeBaron is a physiologist, researcher, educator, and Founder and Executive Director of the Molecular Hydrogen Institute, and Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of InhaleH2. He is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Utah University and has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications. An elite hybrid athlete and member of Countdown’s Scientific & Medical Advisory Board, LeBaron combines scientific expertise with athletic achievement to advance public understanding of mitochondrial health and support research.