- Mitchell Hooper, born September 29, 1995, in Barrie, Ontario, is a Canadian strongman and kinesiologist, renowned as the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, the first Canadian to claim the title.
- He won the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and is the only athlete to have won the World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, Rogue Invitational, and Strongest Man on Earth competitions.
- His academic background includes a Bachelor’s in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph and a Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Sydney.
- As of April 17, 2025, Hooper remains a dominant figure in strongman, preparing for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man in Sacramento, California, with a focus on reclaiming the title.
Background and Early Life:
Raised in Midhurst, Ontario, Hooper excelled in multiple sports, including hockey, football, golf, and marathon running, before transitioning to strength sports. His athletic versatility and academic focus on exercise physiology shaped his approach to strongman.
Career Highlights:
Hooper burst onto the strongman scene in 2022, finishing 8th in his World’s Strongest Man debut. In 2023, he won both the World’s Strongest Man and Arnold Strongman Classic, setting multiple world records, including a 218 kg axle press in 2024. His 2024 season, with wins in 8 of 9 international contests, is considered one of the greatest in strongman history.
Current Status:
As of April 17, 2025, Hooper is a leading contender for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man, having recently won his third consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic. His kinesiology clinic in Barrie and advocacy for mental health further define his impact beyond competition.
Mitchell Hooper: The Moose Who Conquered the Strongman World
In the rugged arena of strongman, where giants hoist boulders and pull trucks, Mitchell Hooper stands tall as a beacon of Canadian strength and resilience. Born on September 29, 1995, in Barrie, Ontario, Hooper, known as “The Moose,” has redefined the sport with his meteoric rise, claiming the 2023 World’s Strongest Man title as the first Canadian to do so. With three consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic victories (2023–2025), the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth, and a slew of world records, Hooper is the only athlete to have won the sport’s four most prestigious titles: World’s Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, Rogue Invitational, and Strongest Man on Earth. As of April 17, 2025, he prepares for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man in Sacramento, California, aiming to reclaim the crown. This biography traces Hooper’s journey from a multi-sport athlete to a global strongman icon, highlighting his achievements, personal philosophy, and lasting impact.
Early Life: A Versatile Athlete with a Scientific Mind
Growing up in Midhurst, Ontario, Mitchell Hooper was a natural athlete, excelling in hockey, baseball, basketball, volleyball, golf, and football. Starting hockey at age four, he developed a competitive edge that carried him through his youth. At the University of Guelph, where he studied Human Kinetics, Hooper briefly played football, gaining significant weight before pivoting to bodybuilding and marathon running, achieving a personal best of 3:24. His diverse athletic background fostered a deep understanding of physical performance, which he later applied to strongman.
Hooper’s academic pursuits were equally impressive. After earning a Bachelor’s in Human Kinetics, he moved to Australia to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Sydney. During his four-and-a-half-year stint overseas, he discovered powerlifting, winning a national championship within six months. This academic and athletic foundation, set the stage for his transition to strongman, blending scientific precision with raw power.
The Strongman Spark: A Rapid Ascent
Hooper’s foray into strongman began in 2020, encouraged by gym mates in Australia. His first competition, a qualifier for the Arnold Strongman Australia Championships, saw him press a 130 kg log, a feat that thrilled him despite the event’s postponement due to the pandemic. By 2021, he had set a staggering personal best, deadlifting 475 kg (1,047 lb) at the Excalibur Max Deadlift Exhibition, a lift that ranks among the heaviest in strongman history and earned him an invitation to the 2022 World’s Strongest Man .
In his 2022 debut at the World’s Strongest Man, Hooper stunned the strongman community by winning his qualifying group, defeating veteran Brian Shaw, and finishing 8th in the final remarkable for his first international contest. Coached by former strongman Laurence Shahlaei, he went on to win the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals and Arnold UK, placing third at the Shaw Classic and Rogue Invitational. This rookie season, described as an “anomaly” on , marked Hooper as a rising star.
2023: A Historic Year
The year 2023 was a defining chapter for Hooper. At the Arnold Strongman Classic in March, he secured his first major title, winning with consistent top-three finishes across five events. His strategic approach, as he shared on his YouTube channel, gave him confidence heading into the World’s Strongest Man in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from April 19–23. Dominating his qualifying group, Hooper won three of the final’s six events (Shield Carry, Deadlift, Bus Pull) and tied for first in the Max Dumbbell Press, amassing 53.5 points to defeat two-time champion Tom Stoltman. This victory, , made him the first Canadian World’s Strongest Man and the fourth athlete to win both the Arnold Strongman Classic and World’s Strongest Man in the same year, joining legends Brian Shaw, Žydrūnas Savickas, and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson.
Hooper’s 2023 season continued with podium finishes, including third at the Giants Live Strongman Classic and second at the Strongest Man on Earth, cementing his status as a top-tier competitor. His motto, “Lift Heavy, Be Kind,” became a rallying cry, reflecting his approach to both competition and community, as noted in Men’s Health.
2024: The Greatest Season in Strongman History
Hooper’s 2024 season is widely regarded as one of the most dominant in strongman history. He won 8 of 9 international contests, setting multiple world records:
- Arnold Strongman Classic (March): Defended his title with 52 of 55 possible points, winning three events, including a 181.4 kg (400 lb) Apollon Wheels press for five reps.
- Arnold UK (March): Secured another victory, setting a world record in the Super Yoke (500 kg for 10 m in 5.70 seconds).
- Giants Live Strongman Classic (July): Won and set world records in the axle press (218 kg) and wrecking ball hold (267 kg for 118.72 seconds) .
- Strongest Man on Earth (August): Claimed the title in what was deemed the year’s heaviest competition.
- Giants Live Series: Swept the World Open (Birmingham), US Strongman Championship (Las Vegas), and World Tour Finals (Glasgow), becoming the only strongman to win all international Giants Live shows in a year.
- Rogue Invitational (October): Defeated Hafþór Björnsson and Tom Stoltman, setting a world record in the Dinnie Stones carry (333 kg for 12.60 m).
Despite finishing second to Tom Stoltman at the 2024 World’s Strongest Man, Hooper’s season was unparalleled, with additional records in the keg toss (15 kg over 7.76 m) and axle bar deadlift (360 kg for 8 reps, joint-world record).
2025: Three-Peating at the Arnold and Beyond
In 2025, Hooper continued his dominance, winning his third consecutive Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio, on February 28–March 1. Scoring 40.5 points, he tied Brian Shaw and Hafþór Björnsson for the most ASC titles, trailing only Žydrūnas Savickas’ eight. His performance included a 449.5 kg (991 lb) elephant bar deadlift and a world-record Dinnie Stones carry . Despite not matching Hafþór Björnsson’s 501 kg deadlift world record, Hooper expressed confidence in future attempts.
As of April 17, 2025, Hooper is preparing for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man, set for May 15–18 in Sacramento, California. His recent bulking diet , aims to increase his body weight from 320 to 330 pounds, incorporating high-calorie meals like a 370-calorie Greek yogurt and orange juice shake. His training, supported by tools like the AIRWAAV mouthpiece for enhanced breathing, underscores his scientific approach to performance.
Personal Bests: A Testament to Power
Hooper’s personal bests showcase his extraordinary strength:
- Deadlift (with suit and straps): 475 kg (1,047 lb) – 2021 Excalibur Max Deadlift
- Deadlift (raw with straps): 442.25 kg (975 lb) – 2024 Rogue Invitational
- Elephant Bar Deadlift (raw with straps): 449.5 kg (991 lb) – 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic
- Axle Press (split jerk): 218 kg (481 lb) – 2024 Giants Live Strongman Classic (World Record)
- Log Press: 210 kg (463 lb) – 2024 Strongman Open
- Manhood Stone (Max Atlas Stone): 250 kg (551 lb) over 4 ft bar
- Super Yoke: 500 kg (1,102 lb) for 10 m in 5.70 seconds – 2022 Arnold UK (World Record)
- Dinnie Stones (Rogue replicas): 333 kg (734 lb) for 12.60 m – 2024 Arnold Strongman Classic (World Record)
Beyond the Arena: Kinesiology and Advocacy
Hooper’s impact extends beyond competition. He owns Longevity Nexum, a kinesiology clinic in Barrie, where he focuses on injury prevention and chronic disease management. His educational efforts, including YouTube videos on biomechanics and exercise, reflect his mission to make strength training accessible.
A vocal advocate for mental health, Hooper has shared his struggles with depression and experiences in therapy, encouraging fans to seek help. His 2024 season coincided with the birth of his daughter, Payton, adding a personal milestone to his professional triumphs. His partnership with brands like MUTANT and AIRWAAV, underscores his influence in the fitness industry.
Community Impact and Legacy
Hooper’s connection to Barrie remains strong. In July 2024, he attempted to pull a five-ton truck down Dunlop Street, an event attended by local dignitaries. His mantra, “Lift Heavy, Be Kind,” resonates with fans, who see him as approachable despite his towering 6’4”, 320-pound frame. Posts on X from 2023, including from @SquatUniversity, celebrated his World’s Strongest Man win, reflecting widespread admiration.
Future Aspirations: A Dynasty in the Making
Hooper’s sights are set on the 2025 World’s Strongest Man, where he aims to reclaim the title lost to Tom Stoltman in 2024. With a 23-contest podium streak (15 wins, 4 silvers, 4 bronzes), he is a favorite to dominate. His long-term goal is to cement his place among strongman’s all-time greats, potentially challenging Savickas’ records.
Table: Mitchell Hooper’s Career Milestones
| Year | Competition | Achievement | Notable Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | World’s Strongest Man | 8th Place | Won qualifying group |
| 2022 | Giants Live World Tour Finals | 1st Place | Super Yoke world record |
| 2023 | Arnold Strongman Classic | 1st Place | Top-three in all events |
| 2023 | World’s Strongest Man | 1st Place | Won Shield Carry, Deadlift, Bus Pull |
| 2024 | Strongest Man on Earth | 1st Place | Heaviest competition of the year |
| 2024 | Giants Live Strongman Classic | 1st Place | Axle press (218 kg) world record |
| 2024 | Rogue Invitational | 1st Place | Dinnie Stones world record |
| 2025 | Arnold Strongman Classic | 1st Place | Elephant bar deadlift: 449.5 kg |
Conclusion: A Champion for the Ages
Mitchell Hooper’s journey from a marathon runner to the World’s Strongest Man is a saga of transformation, discipline, and heart. His 2023 World’s Strongest Man victory, three Arnold Strongman Classic titles, and record-breaking 2024 season have etched his name in strongman lore. As he prepares for the 2025 World’s Strongest Man, Hooper’s blend of strength, science, and kindness positions him as not just a champion but a role model. Whether lifting 475 kg or advocating for mental health, The Moose is building a legacy that will inspire for generations.