There’s something surreal about being the best in the world at anything.
I hold three world records in strongman. That sentence still doesn’t feel real — maybe because strongman is a sport where “being the best” never feels permanent. There’s always another lift, another challenge, another guy behind you coming up fast.
But these three moments — they’ve stayed with me.
1. The Axle Clean & Press – 218kg
Of all the records I’ve set, this is the one I’m most proud of. The axle bar is no joke — it’s thick, unwieldy, and brutally awkward. You have to take it from the ground to your stomach, then rack it on your shoulders, and finally press it overhead.
At the Royal Albert Hall in 2024, I hit 218 kilos. That’s 480 pounds. And I didn’t just break a record — I set another one without even realizing it: the loudest moment in Royal Albert Hall history. Louder than The Beatles. Louder than Adele.
In that moment, I shared something with 5,000 people. Something bigger than the lift itself. Something electric.
2. The Dinnie Stone Replica Walk
The original Dinnie Stones are legendary in the strength world. But the replica walk I did? Even longer — and arguably more punishing.
I carried them at the 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic, and set the record en route to winning the show. What makes this one special isn’t just the win — it’s that this lift has been attempted for decades. Generations of strength athletes have tested themselves against this challenge. And I came out on top.
If you want to train for this kind of legacy lift, I built the Strongman for Advanced program to reflect the same system that helped me prepare for moments like this.
3. The Timber Frame Carry – 880lbs
This one’s controversial.
The official record says 7.1 seconds up a 12-meter ramp. But if you watch the video, it’s clear: I finished it in under 7.
This was an 880-pound frame — the kind of weight that feels like it’s trying to snap your skeleton in half. But that’s strongman. It’s not always about exact numbers or textbook technique. It’s about moving something that doesn’t want to be moved, as fast as possible.
Even without the official nod, it’s a record in my mind. And in the minds of most people who’ve watched the tape.
Records Are a Result — Not the Goal
Here’s the thing no one really tells you: the record is just a snapshot.
It’s the result of a thousand unglamorous days:
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Training through injuries
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Eating when you’re not hungry
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Repeating the same movements until your body begs you to stop
The good news? That kind of consistency is trainable. And whether you’re new to strength sports or pushing for your own PRs, I’ve made programs to help you build the same foundation I use:
The goal isn’t to chase world records. The goal is to chase your own potential, every single day. Records come and go. But how you show up for yourself — that’s what lasts.
And if more records come along the way? I won’t say no.
– Mitchell Hooper