Over the last three and a half years, I’ve been fortunate enough to win 15 major international strongman shows—seven of them among the sport’s four most prestigious titles. It’s been a relentless pursuit of strength, resilience, and discipline. But now, as the Rogue Invitational approaches, I’ve been faced with some of the hardest decisions of my career: how far I can push my body, and what recovery really means at the elite level.
The Setback
Not long ago, my body started to push back. Four herniated discs. A knee that couldn’t fully extend or bend beyond 90 degrees. Pain wasn’t just a training partner—it was a roadblock. At that point, competing felt impossible.
Determined to fight back, I traveled to Panama to the Regeneration Clinic for stem cell treatment. The hope was to accelerate recovery and reclaim what I’d lost. But timing was brutal—I received the injections just 13 weeks before the Rogue Invitational, and the treatment typically requires at least 12 weeks just to return to normal function, let alone world-class strength.
Back Under the Bar
The early weeks after the procedure were tough. The pressure in my back was immense, and simple movements felt like uphill battles. But fast forward three and a half weeks, and something shifted. My body started to respond better than expected. Movements that once triggered sharp pain began to feel manageable.
Getting back into training has been a relief beyond words. I’ve started easing into deadlifts with a higher starting position to protect my spine—a technique I’d recommend to anyone returning from back injuries. Slowly but surely, the weights are climbing, and with them, my confidence.
Fueling the Grind
A key part of my training comeback has been supplementing with Ketone IQ. Many people think ketones only matter if you’re in ketosis, but that’s not true. Your brain runs on either glucose or ketones, and during heavy training, that extra fuel source keeps me sharp. No mental fog, no crashes—just focus. I’ve been using it consistently over the last year, and it’s become an essential tool in my prep.
Rebuilding Work Capacity
Strength has always been my strong suit, but repeated strength—the ability to keep performing under fatigue—has slipped over the past six months. So, I’ve added sessions focused on work capacity: farmer’s walks, timed carries, and conditioning drills to rebuild that missing edge. It’s grueling, but it’s the kind of work that separates contenders from champions.
Eyes on the Prize: Rogue Invitational 2025
When I first considered competing this year, doubt loomed large. I didn’t want to step on the competition floor unless I believed I could win. But in the past week, things have changed dramatically. I’ve been able to hit competition weights—or even exceed them—across nearly every event. More importantly, I’ve been able to do it pain-free.
That’s why I’m ready. Ready to come back. Ready to defend my title. Ready to three-peat at the Rogue Invitational.
This blog is just the beginning of a new series: Road to Rogue. Every week, I’ll share updates on training, recovery, and everything in between as I chase another win.
The comeback wasn’t long in the making—but it’s going to be sweet.
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