What is your fitness journey? i.e. How did you start training and competing in Strongman?

My Strongman journey kind of started on a whim. I was convinced to do a very small competition by a few guys who worked out at the gym where I worked as a personal trainer. I ended up winning with ease. Little did I know my soon to be coach was a member at the gym already and was an old pro. He took me under his wing which resulted in me later qualifying and winning the amateur world championship. To this day he is my coach and one of my best friends.

You won the Amateur Arnold Sports Festival World championship last year. What if any are some of the differences in training at the professional level?

Training at the professional level vs the amateur level for me changed in one way (aside from things getting heavier which I don’t count as a change). As a pro, there is no off season. You must be ready or close to ready year-round.

Do you have a favorite event?

My favorite event at the Arnold was the elephant bar deadlift. I’m a very statically gifted athlete when it comes to strength and even though I was tired, I was able to show case that in that event. The events as a pro are closer to what you grow up seeing on tv vs competing as an amateur.

You also cannot miss a step because the point margins in the top 5 are generally very small in all events.

Sidebar: Showmanship! I love it!

Do you eat clean? i.e. What do you eat?

My diet is very clean, but as I get closer to a contest, I will dirty it up a little bit to get extra calories in. I want to fuel my body as clean as I can but sometimes ya just need a honey bun to hit your caloric requirements.

Sidebar: I remember watching the Strongman competitions on television back in the day. This was my first opportunity to watch a few events live. I also grew up watching professional wrestling (World Wrestling Federation) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Past the dedication and athleticism exhibited in the Strongman competition, there is an air of entertainment. If I were to compare Strongman Bobby Thompson to a professional wrestler from that time period, it would be “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan. A dedicated professional who gets the job done.