Talking Strongman with The World's Strongest Man 2023 Mitch Hooper

[@JameBlack]

0:00 "What have you been doing for 2 days since you won the WSM? How are you feeling?". 2:05 Mitch's Background and personality. 8:05 "How does it feel to be the world's strongest man?" Role of luck and genetics. 13:11 Discussing the Group stage. 18:50 Discussing the Final. 25:03 Dumbbell. Rules and referees. 33:35 Atlas Stones. 39:45 "When would Mitch actually believe he would be world's strongest man?"," Did you believe it would be this soon?". 40:58 "What led you choose me as a coach over others ... and rate me on the scale of one to ten how handsome i am?". 46:36 "What is your next big goals in strongmen?". 48:16 "If you could pick your perfect six events for WSM, what would they be?". 1:04:29 "Did you get a chance to watch our live reactions?". 1:06:05 "Who do you consider your biggest competitor next year?"(and retirement issue). 1:09:04 "How is it being the first Canadian champion?". 1:11:43 "What did you train today?".

[@mrsshahlaei451]

Doing the lords (or my) work! Thank you.

[@Michael010298]

We need a collab training video of you two asap!

[@mrsshahlaei451]

100%. This is the closest we have so far kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH-8gXqdabuZfKc

[@Danimal77]

I drove 20 hours from the great white north and had the pleasure of shaking your hand and getting a picture taken with you at Worlds a few days ago. You make Canada proud Mitch! Congrats!

[@wonder219]

Was waiting till the end to comment but i will say it just now. This is a fantastic interview. Just realized how Loz is a fantastic interviewer and commenter. Im super enjoying getting to know who Mitch is, and he sounds like an amazing guy who's just been misunderstood because he believes in himself a lot. Congratulations, Mitch, once more and coach Loz.

[@brianfox340]

People underrate the ability to interview well. Loz does a great job.

[@wonder219]

@Brian Fox you are absolutely correct. I listened to him during the rogue invitational 2022 and i thought he was so good. Thats how i got curious about strongman and subcribed to his channel. As a crossfit fan who just discovered strongman recently, i think the strongman community is way cooler.

[@brianfox340]

@@wonder219 that's awesome! It's such a cool and welcoming community, both online and at competitions!

[@mrgaudy1954]

Mitch brings peak Martins' consistency while also outright winning more events. Scary.

[@ShayanGivehchian]

He's the new martins. Can't wait to see them battle it out.

[@petershortland478]

​@Shayan Givehchian mate he takes Martins to much higher level, Mitch just improves each show he does

[@highviewbarbell]

So hyped for Mitch and his career

[@angeldroid10]

Im still cautious. I swear hes going to win a massive title and just retire randomly and break everyones heart

[@cyruskhalvati]

The fact that worlds was just the start for him is insane

[@jamaanders1817]

The talk about winning and feeling empty show this guy is special. He gets it! Was awesome watching live. Got a new fan for sure

[@monicavermag]

Listening to this in spurts rather than one big sit down, but still great conversation. If there is one thing I have come to appreciate it is just listening to what Mitch has to say. He is very smart and insightful and his mindset/thinking is different than what people are used to that it is refreshing and makes him a great person to listen to, as you can walk away having learned something. It was something special watching you compete and win World's Strongest Man, many congratulations 🎉

[@MrGonzonator]

Mitch seems the kind of pro-athlete that could dominate a sport and change the way it's played. He has the competitive drive, the dedication and the intelligence to keep himself primed and fit for a decade. Could make it boring but you have to take your hat off to him.

[@Mathis218337]

He has great promise. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy. 🤞

[@kooroshrostami27]

I reckon he's more the kind of guy to dominate for a while and then try something else. I mean, look at what other sports he has done. He strikes me as the kind of guy who would do something as long as he feels it challenging enough and then moves on and sets goals somewhere else. Personally, I don't think he will stay with the sport for a decade, but I could be wrong.

[@MrGonzonator]

​@@kooroshrostami27 fair, but there are many, many records and feats to accomplish in Strongman before he can be considered to have "completed" it. I also question if, at his advanced age, there is time for him to become a true master of any other sports. He says himself, he has always, always lifted and always gone heavy. I don't see him backing down now that he has cemented himself as a leader in the ultimate strength sport.

[@richtheunstable3359]

@@MrGonzonator he has spoke about strongman being a 3 year stint.

[@petershortland478]

​@@richtheunstable3359 tbf Mitch has made it clear strongman is a hobby to him, he puts more effort in his full time job

[@SvenTheShoeBuyer]

Loz, can you see if Mateusz would take you on as his coach, at least for deadlifting, and recovery/training purposes. I'd like to see peak Mateusz vs peak Mitch. Hopefully a non-compete isn't in place, as you're already Bobby's coach too.

[@leeblowers9783]

Awesome Guy !! Love his logo of Lift Heavy / Be kind ❤ This Guy is a Machine & not Human I'm sure 😅

[@anthonyproffitt5341]

This was an absolute gem.

[@rheaidema8705]

It is a pleasure listening to both of you. You come with such a realistic approach regarding how genetics can play into into it along with the hard work. I am a 63 year old woman who has always been naturally strong I really wish when I was younger there had been the option for lifting for women that there is now. I currently continue to try my best to Lift heavy and be kind. Thanks Mitch and Loz for being awesome.

[@isaaccorey6531]

As a Canadian, very inspired by Mitch's story. But loved Loz's point about Tom. That fellow is an absolute unit and deserves tons of love and support. This year was a truly awesome competition to watch with a stack of great athletes

[@thecruellestmonth]

Happy for Mitch, but also happy for Loz as a coach! Great to see Loz move towards being a great coach as well as a great athlete.

[@user-pw7xy2sm8i]

Mitch gets it. Strongman isn't powerlifting, it doesn't need to be regulated within an inch of its life.

[@AlasdairThompson]

Regarding the judging/standardisation of events. I do think they need some better form of timing events rather than a stopwatch. Two athletes having the EXACT same time on the bus pull (to the hundredth of a second)? Others seperated by 0.02s? That's well within any margin of error from some guy clicking a button.

[@davidb1975a]

It's nice listening to this. Sounds like he's a pretty down to earth guy.

[@danielrichardson4868]

Great gentlemen, both of you, very well rounded and honest, definitely both operate with the mindset of the Greater Picture in all things you do

[@odetotove]

Thank you for being such a clear thinker, Loz. Your channel standard is unmatched.

[@roadagent5158]

Well said!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@danenorment]

This was awesome! 👍

[@dannyboyfit]

Competitive in the moment but doesn’t worry about result winning mindset right there do your best no matter what and you can win 💪🏻

[@bagaskarahadjarputra6070]

His attitude of keep consistent in the podiums' finish and winning events and comps are like Mariusz, this man is a true Canadian Dominator

[@hannahthilthorpe6946]

What a great conversation. So enlightening and insightful 👏🏼

[@michaels.2331]

It’s scary because Mitch has a lot of room to improve. He can definitely do better at fingers.

[@trevorrisley5419]

I have a feeling that he’s going to spend an appreciable amount of time perfecting the two-outta’-twelve events he lost! I bet he’s going to have some custom Fingal’s Fingers made for himself so he can play with ‘em to his heart’s content.

[@michaels.2331]

@@trevorrisley5419 I bet he visits the Shaw strongman compound next go around.

[@bronchoped]

We barely see fingers. Doubt it's worth putting effort into until he knows it's coming back

[@brianfox340]

​@@trevorrisley5419if I made Fingal Fingers (or anything else that's Strongman specific) I would give him a set to use in KZbin videos.

[@Micheldied]

​@@bronchopedyeah, it's not really in anything except WSM, and it hasn't showed up there often in the last couple of years.

[@hulkthedane7542]

You guys are SO entertaining and interesting to audience. No doubt, you match up VERY well as coach and athlete. Congratulations on the win to both of you. .....(DB press, my take on it) Mitch is not greedy, he is playful, curious... "how much CAN I lift???..", forgetting he is at WSM and well into winning the whole damn thing 🌞☺👍👍. It is absolutely wonderful to witness. Keep up the good work, both of you!

[@MrScottyT21]

Listening to how Loz & Mitch communicate & how smart & driven they are about all things training/competing etc its no surprise Mitches rapid rise. Thanks for sharing this Loz! Great watch/listen

[@kalevipoeg6916]

Absolutely spot on on the genetics - it's huge. You either win the genetic lottery or you don't. Why was Arnold Schwarzenegger's chest SO f'ing perfect in his prime, so BROAD, so perfectly put together? Wasn't just hard work - TYPE of muscle and where the attachment points are - these are genetically determined, Arnold's said it himself, and your genetics spell out your maximum potential in a given activity. People don't LIKE to hear that, but it's the truth. It can even vary between siblings - I'm about 6'2", my brother's 5'11", so I've got a decent height advantage on him but also my muscle and bone structure was always thicker and bigger than his - and even before I would start working out, I was always the physically stronger of the two - PURELY by factor of what genes I inherited and which ones he did from which parent. Genetics are RANDOMLY inherited, even in the same family - so even someone being a brother to someone doesn't mean they'll perform at the same exact level - and look at Luke and Tom Stoltman for an example of that - Tom's clearly the bigger, stronger of the two all-around and has won two titles to prove it - it's no fault of Luke's, he even GOT a good genetic package that allows him great feats of strength - to be clear - guy is much bigger than the average man and definitely very strong - but just not QUITE on the level of Tom's, and that's as FULL BROTHERS sharing, on average, 50% of their DNA with each other (siblings on average have 50% of their DNA in common with either parent and their siblings because of how randomly genetics work). For the same reason, I could never - even if I were just 18 years old and starting out and had time to get into it - have done strongman. I'm bigger than average, I could get up to a really pretty excellent level of strength (even now, most of my lifts are, for my weight, considered to be in the upper intermediate to advanced level and that's with casually lifting at home 3 times a week for 40 minutes to 1 hour per session, nothing too serious) - BUT my bone structure especially at the wrists isn't SO thick that I'd think I could handle going too high on several key events - I'd need bigger, beefier joints for that too - so I think my upper potential is GOOD, but not best in the WORLD good, because, end of the day, I'm not built like a Brian Shaw or a Hafthor. I reckon I could top out at a 700-800 lb deadlift - which is very good compared to the TYPICAL human man but 300 lbs short of the world record. Maybe, MAYBE I could even get to 900 - but 1000+ is likely not in the cards based PURELY on my build and what I know about my leg joints and muscles - which is that they're by FAR my weak point and quite feeble compared to the upper body. It's just reality. I'm not going to even entertain the thought that I could ever have been putting 400+ lbs over my head on any lift. MAYBE I could get 250....maybe, in another life where I just trained and ate SPECIFICALLY for that purpose non-stop, 300-315 overhead, but pressing a 400+ lb log? Nah. Not happening. Joints alone rule that out. It's also nearly twice my own body weight, so there's that. If I were to pack on as much mass as I could, with my structure, I COULD probably break over 300 lbs, maybe even 350, but 400+? Not without looking like a very round beachball.

[@misterc5783]

Congrats to all involved. I’m keen to see who responds to the challenge.

[@cyrillyons1531]

Definitely agree on what you said about having consistent rules/guidelines for the lifts/events! Thank you very much for this interview excellent podcast!

[@jaroddagostino]

Great interview! Important knowledge shared about sports & genetics & success

[@papatom692]

Big props to you both! Great work and congrats!!

[@TL13579]

What a wonderful interview, didn't even notice the time fly by!

[@Rocker3829]

Great interview and actually agree with both of you on the rules discussion. The issue I have (purely from a fan perspective) is you HAVE to clarify what a good lift actually means per event. If it is simply "get the dumbbell overhead with a locked elbow", then ok, but that wasn't communicated to the fans. Makes the sport look very amateur. To Mitches basketball analogy, yes the rules enforcement is different from ref to ref, but you can still find the rule book and see what a foul is. You can't assume your viewership knows everything, you have to tailor to the new fans watching the events. Everytime.

[@meyertechrants3589]

Mitch's ideal WSM events - 500kg yoke for 15m for speed - 160kg Yoke press for reps - Yoke to sandbag over yoke medley, carry the yoke to the implement, load item over yoke bar, carry yoke back to other implement, load it over etc - 600kg yoke picks for max reps - 200kg yoke zercher carry for max distance in 60 seconds, re-picks allowed - Stone over Yoke bar for max reps

[@RobSimpson-BarbellsandBurpees]

Congratulations to you both and thankyou for sharing with the community. Love ya work guys.

[@Ripplin]

I'm still trying to figure out what's with his accent. I live 30 minutes away from him and NO ONE around here speaks like that. :p I have no idea how long he was in Australia, so was it long enough for him to have an Aussie accent peppering his natural one?

[@TonyStark-xc7je]

Them mention of the kettlebell toss going straight up and losing reminded me of Kaz in the '88 WSM where he just got in his own head and missed three tosses in a row even though he was perfectly capable. That ended up costing him the win that year!

[@lulzywizard7576]

It's wild how much of a talent Mitch is, but also how he went from a diamond in the rough last year to an absolute marvel of a gem this year. He's got to be one of the best rookies the sport's seen.

[@StrongmanCoaching]

Awesome work Mitchell Hooper. Inspirational performance. How about copying and pasting the IWF standards for clean and jerk lockout standards, and adapt to the Strongman overhead events?

[@saitama_sensei9199]

So if they didn't have a rules meeting, the penalty on handsome Pavlo shield was invented at the moment? If so, sad :(

[@deepee21104]

dumbell.....bus.....was a farce.....not a true reflection of worlds strongest......sbd have a lot to think about......

[@monicavermag]

There was a rules meeting at familiarization. Went over all the rules, guys asked questions, conversation was had. It wasn't a formal sit down in a room and someone read the rules out meeting.

[@krzysztof-michalak]

great interview and congratulations to Mitch

[@jarrettirwin8922]

To be that dominant and come out unscathed is insane

[@petershortland478]

Mitch is so likeable gets along with absolutely everyone

[@rossgallacher3341]

Great chat, both smart and thoughtful guys. Hopefully plenty more success in future

[@jamesburrell677]

One of my favorite things about Mitch is how much respect he shows the other athletes.

[@stephenhenderson1461]

First and foremost: Thank you to my favorite Auntie and Uncle for providing constant coverage so I wasn't alone refreshing spreadsheets. I've been a sub to the Shahlaei Official channel ever since you did your Talking Strongman with Derek Poundstone and I cancelled date night with my lady. Secondly: Huge congratulations to Mitch Hooper on his dominant performance and rapid ascension to looking like a world beater. His humility and constant yearning for improvement despite his massive collection of accolades this early in his career is inspiring. The teaming up of Loz and Mitch working together seems like borderline Kismet. Cheers to you both and your continued success. Thirdly: Holy SH** Loz! I just finished watching your match with Ol' Uncle Jon (the pins on James and Jon were incredible!)...I cannot imagine what a force you're going to be once you have a couple years more of experience and building more "arm-wrestling strength" and table time to go along with the massive strength that you already possess. You're a joy to watch in anything you're doing...but what has always made you one of my favorite athletes in any sport is your intensity in competing and training, and using those experiences good or bad to be an even stronger person tomorrow than you were today. I can't wait to continue watching your journey as an arm-wrestler. (Also, Tom Holland is an absolute legend) Cheers to you and yours from Wisconsin, USA. -Stephen

[@Julian-mk7hd]

Can you do a strongman talking with wide Pavlo ?

[@magnitorfasson9238]

I dont think his english is good enough to do a interview

[@vivian-alexandrarivers897]

It really does feel like we've found a 'New Golden Era' for Strongman. A passing of the torch, so to speak, with so many front runners to watch and root for, genuinely too many to name out of nowhere because I'm certain I'll forget someone and feel bad because of it. XD

[@roberteinspahr3770]

Awesome! Great job Mitch

[@b.bark1]

Absolutely love the duo of loz and the moose! Always honest, always real, entertaining and above all true advocates for strength regardless of your situation. Young, old, pro or a pure amateur get out there and get moving! Well done Mitch and Loz phenomenal performance.

[@roadagent5158]

I feel like in order to excel in modern strongman you not only have hit the potential you show in training, but to also put in performances that go far beyond that. Mitch is a monster when it comes to this (Tom and Alexi too)

[@dannyboyfit]

I’m a casual fan but look to uncle loz for my info hooper is super cool well done big loz for helping him reach his dreams

[@wrkeith1]

Great interview!

[@kalevipoeg6916]

I was 100% rooting for Brian - no offense to Mitch it's just it's his last year and we all wanted that to be going out on top - but I blame my fellow Estonian Rauno for making Brian blow his reserves on the stone-off ;) Yeah, that must be it. I mean, can't have HELPED! Congrats, Mitch - even if I was rooting against you THIS year - nothing personal and I'm sure i'll be rooting for you going forward!

[@Ghostmanradiostaion]

Mitch and Loz make a great team both are competitive, explosive power, great win for great team

[@brianfox340]

Great interviewer, and great answers.

[@whit3chick3n]

I cant help but hope that mitch and tom become a rivalry equal to big z and big b.

[@gym-kneecrickets6294]

These are my favorite episodes. Full stop. This was maybe the best one.

[@stevelynch5843]

ON the discussing of genetics I wanted to be a body builder so badly when I was younger but no matter how hard I tried I was never going to get there, then I meet Dorian Yates at a gym he was speaking at, he was very nice when he told me I would never be a body builder as it wasn't in my genes, he then took the time to explain and I came out of it clearer and turned to power lifting which I was much better at

[@adamvryan]

Great talk 🙏

[@parisferguson8654]

I’m so excited 😆

[@philwsiam]

Just as I got back to the office!

[@greatlakeshuntingandtracking]

Congratulations to coach Loz

[@frederickknapp5340]

After meeting Mitch a few times I feel he is one arrogant S.O.B. JK One of the coolest people you will meet and a great athlete. He, I believe, would give more support to others than he would to himself.

[@kerryvital9495]

Any chance you will make these into podcasts like you used to do? I can’t always watch but I have lots of commuting time to listen!

[@piranhaman1044]

I knew he would win, many more to come

[@charles-mp9nt]

He's gonna be a force to be reckoned with if he stays healthy

[@petershortland478]

Correction he already is a force to be reckoned with hasn't come off the podium since Strongman Classic in London

[@charles-mp9nt]

@@petershortland478 one year dosen't make a career

[@Tommy-yx9gv]

Such a great personality

[@cyrillyons1531]

Thank you very much for the interview. At about 11:00 in you said what I feel is regualarly understated about how important genetics play a role in most all sports. On the elite levels your genetics better be superior physically & your genetic physiology needs to repond positively in regard to all the necessary supplemenation required to compete on the highest level.

[@crazyangus862]

WSM is def a cool fcukin' title to have. Congrat's Mitch Hooper.

[@chrismouton1985]

This was class!

[@bigholli8449]

Hooper is such a inspiration. Would love seeing him and shaw train together

[@mordy.e.5927]

Keep it up.

[@Kragatar]

So true about genetics. My genetics make me incapable of stuff like gymnastics or breakdancing because I'm too tall, too stiff, and get motion sick if I spin or flip. But I could probably do well as a strongman, since flipping and bending aren't needed and being tall is a benefit.

[@samdc97]

Excited! Congrats Mitch!

[@bamstrongfitness11]

Great video. You both are genuine and you can tell you have a lot of respect for each other. I think Mitch has been hydrated through this video. Congrats to you both!

[@NARushton]

Maybe Mitch owes his WSM title to Rauno as well for doing a number on Brian in that stone-off 😂

[@hedgehog1965uk]

Yeah, many people saying that Rauno "broke" Brian, even though Brian won the stone-off.

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

Not bad for a part-time strong man. 😉

[@rossgallacher3341]

Does anyone know how much weight Mitch added between this year and last year

[@SpodyOdy]

I would have to put UFC/MMA heavyweight champ to list with 100m and WSM. 🙃

[@GRPABT1]

Mitch seems like a perfect ambassador for strongmen and I'm excited to see how he elevates the sport. He feels like the Canadian Brian Shaw.

[@jefflawson3574]

Guy is all-round sorted. He'll be hard to beat as long he's reasonably injury-free and wants it bad enough.

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Thanks to all of yous🦀

[@SuperStutube]

Amazed Mitch didn't take a week off! The dirty dancing, alone, involved key muscles!

[@Organon1980]

I feel like that WSM is the WWE of strongman. The title is prestigious but as a fan watching I think it's the worst run contest of the year. And awesome interview as usual.

[@rickybobby3973]

Omg! I didnt realize while I was sending superchats that you were his coach! Congrats to both of you

[@mandem5943]

When did he start the steds?

[@shipit9937]

He's natty bro 😉

[@Micheldied]

Great interview. Absolutely agree with the part about Tom and the news. It's pretty disgusting for people to be so fickle with their support.

[@mptness4389]

AWWW YISSS

[@chrisharmer7706]

Hi Loz, me and my wife follow you and your coverage of WSM as it's the best there is. Question and more of an opinion me and my wife were discussing. Do you think if Tom had competed more during the year and done more training (obviously he was at the Arnolds with a little bit of training and came to Worlds still on a back burner per say on the training front. Do you think he'd have beat or been closer pressure wise to Mitch? But well done to you as Mitch's coach and massive well done to him as new the new worlds strongest man

[@ZombieCleaner]

I love the mustache. Hope he keeps it forever.

[@Eparker09]

That's crazy to hear about that articles title about Tom.

[@ibbylancaster8981]

Man, I am so happy for Moose and you as a coach Loz. Congrats to you both. I think we’re going to see Mitch on more Podiums. The competitors are so tight in abilities that you can’t really do poorly in one event because you have to work even harder to catch up. Much love to you both from North Carolina , USA and prayers for you both for continued success and good health. 🤙🤙

[@ibbylancaster8981]

And Loz, you guys put up my comment on the livestream the other day and I wanted to say thank you as well. And you pronounced my name correctly. I believe somewhere way back, we are descendants of the House of Lancaster, according to my grandfather. Much love to Auntie Liz as well. You guys do such a wonderful job together.

[@kevbickerdike9676]

So glad you mentioned the title of the Tom Stoltman article, Loz. It was a very negative way to frame his position this year which, as you said, ignores his achievement.

[@michaels.2331]

Olga, the 2 Pavlo’s, plus Novikov. Wow

[@jamescollinge9082]

What is your vertical jump, @mitchellhooper?

[@spiritfingers98]

I think the biggest controversy was the 19.8m penalty.

[@patrikboij7560]

And that truck pull. "Strongest man" should not be about parts of a second on a stopwatch.

[@nealstaten5193]

I am looking forward to your career and with any luck. I’ll sue Loz’s at the masters someday.

[@cyruskhalvati]

Theres so many genetic factors that lead you into being a great strongman. Mitch happened to have a decent number of those whilst maintaining an insane work ethic.

[@JoshO423]

“Arnold’s don’t mean much to me.” - Mitch winning the Arnold’s. “It’s just luck of genetics.” - Mitch winning World’s. This guy really likes to downplay the hard work other athletes put in…

[@eftichismalandrakis]

​@@JoshO423That's just the level he is at.