Earlier this week, I went to the University of Texas to get to the bottom of a question that’s followed me my whole career: Why am I the world’s strongest man?
I’m not the biggest guy. I’m not the most muscular. I’m not breaking records in the gym just by showing up. But I keep winning strongman competitions—and now, we might finally have an answer.
I worked with Dr. Coyle, one of the most respected researchers in human performance, to test my maximum power output. He’s built this machine called the Power Cycle—a brutally precise device that measures instantaneous power output to the millisecond. No fluff, no estimates—just raw data.
Dr. Coyle told me the best result ever seen on this machine was 2,400 watts, which matches what we’ve seen from elite Olympic lifters and top-tier cyclists.
So I asked, “Cool… what happens if I give it a go?”
I hit 6,790 watts.
Let me say that again: 6,790 watts.
Almost three times the all-time best.
And here’s where it gets fun: Greg freaked out.
I know he’s already halfway through recording a reaction video, pacing around, trying to explain it away. We were texting the night before, and even then, he was in disbelief. He’s already breaking out the spreadsheets and calculators trying to debunk it.
But here’s the thing—Dr. Coyle himself confirmed it. In fact, he even told me the bike wasn’t heavy enough to properly measure my power. The flywheel literally couldn’t keep up. My legs were still building power as the pedals spun out underneath me. With a heavier flywheel? The number could’ve been even higher.
Now, does this make me the greatest cyclist of all time? Absolutely not. It was a peak power test—a short burst, not a sustained effort. But it does give us a window into why I dominate strongman. Power is strength expressed over time. The faster you can express it, the more explosive you are—and that’s how you move mountains.
So yeah… maybe I’m not the most muscular, not the heaviest, not the strongest by traditional measures.
But when it comes to power? Turns out I’m in a league of my own.
Greg—buddy—I know you’ve got some thoughts. Fire away. I’ll be waiting.
Full video is up now. Watch Dr. Coyle’s reaction below, see the data for yourself, and let me know what you think.
As always Lift heavy. Be kind
-
Mitchell Hooper