Could Strongman Be Healthy??? 

I'm glad (as a student of physical therapy) that someone talks about the misunderstanding on the fundamentals of arthritis. Very happy to hear someone with a large reach give information like this 💪🏼

Great chat - love your work in strongman and as a new subscriber looking forward to seeing more of you in youtube. Best of luck going forward.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video it’s very honest and comprehensive

Thanks for sharing! Very inspirational! I had some similar experiences with success and how much mental pressure it can build up. Not comparable to your scale of 'being out there' and being a celebrity. But still I can relate to your 'being under pressure'. Specifically the time aspect of being all the time under stress wasn't great. Wish you all the best and your journey and hopefully for more videos with so many insights!

I'm 40. I began training about 2 years ago. For almost all if it, it's been outdoors. Natural stones, logs, running hills. Lifting very heavy, but a lot of movement and cardio. It felt amazing most days, and the added benefit of looking better was definitely a plus. For me, and my wife lol. I signed up for a competition in March. Began training in a gym in December. Since then, I haven't felt as healthy. Training at Night, indoors, very heavy. I have such huge respect for what you strongman go through now. I can totally see why retirement is always on a strongman mind. I'm also 40 though! So that could definitely be worsening the issue. I still love the sport, and I love the challenge and becoming stronger. I just have to start training outdoors more again. Loved this video, Mitch!

Thank you so much for this material, treasure.

You're quickly becoming one of my favourites atm. Keep killing it Hooper 💪💪

This is probably one of my favorite videos of yours. I keep thinking.. it's so easy for most people to look at football or hockey players, or marathon runners, or strongmen, and judge their performance and every aspect of their training/nutrition/etc but they don't realize how much one has to sacrifice physically AND mentally to perform at the highest levels. Being an athlete and going to that extreme isn't healthy. But this is what I admire so much about you. You seem to be very self-aware of what your body and mind can accomplish, and you are open to discussing it, and educating other people about it. I can't even begin to imagine how mentally tough it can be at times. I've been following your journey ever since World's and you have been a huge inspiration to me this year. Keep up the good work 😊

This is some of the most honest contact about extreme nothing. Thanks for the video.

Apart from being blown away at WSM 2022 I knew nothing about Mitch until I found this video recommended from following Brian... What a smart and articulate professional athlete, fascinating stuff. Great video full of insight.

Really enjoy the thought you appear put into your content, and the variety. You mentioned a strongwoman reacting to your discussion with Ant; not sure if you're specifically talking about Chloe, I remember her leaving a comment...in the end it doesn't really matter who you're talking about, I just remember thinking I would really enjoy hearing the two of you have a discussion about the topic in one of your Beyond Strong episodes if that's something you plan to continue.

No surprise your progressing so well Mitch, real smart athlete & cant wait to see you podium at WSM this year

We love your content Mitchell! Please keep it up! 🙏🏻

Great work! Essentially, as far as RU-vid is concerned, you're an influencer. I think you're a fine example of what an influencer should be: open, honest, insightful, knowledgeable. I hope your fellow strongmen watch this and take it onboard. I wish you every success. p.s. I began watching and intended to simply add a.

Your content is perfect. It’s well formatted and educational with the conceit that the viewer has some education and common sense. Obviously I’m not gonna be a competitive strongman at 57 and weighing in at 190 pounds ! I enjoy the training routines and the way I feel. If I can improve upon that, then that is my current goal.. I am certainly as strong as I’ve ever been, and now I’m in an area where I’m actually stronger I could use better advice, if that makes sense . Hope you have a chance to read some of these comments!

Mitch is my new favorite athlete. I’m a gastroenterologist and nutritionist who is obsessed with optimizing healthspan. I’m a big fan of strong man, but never found an athlete who was deeply aware of the scientific literature and could speak this cogently about training and health. This is incredibly high quality content. Congratulations Mitch on your win and to all of us for you getting a bigger audience to educate.

I always like to hear your take on different topics. You're always going to get people who don't agree or take things you say incorrectly. Keep doing what you are doing! ❤

Thanks for this and for being so open and helpful, especially to us oldies🤪. I haven't been able to do much training since before Christmas as I fell on ice and buggered my right hand. As I am right handed it seriously affected what I could do, also being partially sighted I use a white cane to get around and well let's just say the pavements are not smooth surfaces. Anyway thanks again for your videos, definitely kept me sane during my layoff, and really glad you are in the strongman community and helping us all. Oh and it was great to see you in Glasgow winning the Giants Live there

refreshingly honest, intelligent video. Thank you.

Refreshing convo, I've been struggling recently with not feeling healthy due to pursuing my strongman goals. Taking a step back from competitions and working on living a healthier life for my new daughter.

Looking forward to your 2023 year. It's gonna be fantastic

Hey bro, just wanted to reach out and say thanks for what you’ve done for the sport and showing us all how it’s done! One day, I’d like to buy you a beer mate 🍺

It's certainly important to know that we all face challenges in our lives and those challenges will vary depending on the structure of our life. How we address and face those challenges is key. Also, understanding the challenges others face can make all the difference in the world, even if there's nothing you can do to assist other than lending an understanding ear. The goal is to simple be the best version of you that you can be, whether you choose to do that on your own or accept assistance from others.

Im usually the lurker on youtube who doesnt sub or comment ( im not sure why ) but i made a effort to show some support here because i really enjoy the videos where you share your opinion on the different aspect of strongman, Its a nice change from all the "trainning session" on youtube

Great stuff. Been a fan since seeing you at the Shaw Classic. Keep moving forward!!!

Great video Mitch... forget the naysayers and stay focused on " your vision". People's opinion are just that..." they're opinion" ... love watching you competing, can't wait to see your accomplishments for 2023 !!

Great video! But I think it would have been appropriate to talk about PED use here. You somewhat indirectly talked about the effects of it talking about blood pressure, cardiovascular health and increased weight, but it would be very interesting to hear your take on PED use in strongman and how it can affect health / minimize its effects on health.

I think PEDS is the number 1 thing that has the potential to make strongman unhealthy especially if they are uneducated in using them. And for all of you that want to think some of these guys are natural I hate to disappoint you. There are a lot of young Men and women out there that will really hurt themselves without proper guidance from intelligent athletes like you Mitch. I do understand the taboo behind talking candidly about these things, and I get why it’s not mentioned but it is the elephant in the room.

I needed to hear this... thank you guys. Gonna start getting fit not just permabulking chasing big lifts. Im not an elite competitor in a power sport lol

Nice to see how methodical you are about your craft.

Love your content! :)

Can you talk about P. E. D. use and how that is detrimental to health, consequences of long term use, reversible and irreversible changes that occurs in your body after use?

I only recently started in strongman, I love having it in my routine and it's done wonders for my mental and physical health. don't know where it'll take me but for right now it's good, i feel healthier, i think that's enough for me to continue.

Great video!!!

To be great at anything one has to take risks.

Mitch - you're a class act! I saw you at WSM23, hope you keep true to yourself, wish you only the best, and look forward to watching your journey.

20yrs in a stressful career dealing with death, destruction and chaos. Weight, health and life have been a roller coaster

More great content from a top contender, for title of the worlds smartest strongman!

Hooper is smart fit an strong asf. He is gonna have a incredible year. Cant stop the moose

Quickly becoming my absolute favourite strength athlete and maybe just athlete full stop

Thank Mitchell for winning wsm. It shows to never underestimate anyone, and if want you do something it is possible .

Great video 👍

You are a definite plus to the strongman world Mitch. One thing that always gets left out is the PEDs . Most people suspect that Strongmen & women take steroids but its never really opened up about it. I personally feel it would be a beneficial next move for the sport to open up more on this subject ( and the health risks) I understand Sponsors wont like it but a change needs to become acceptable. Love watching your progress buddy, keep up the amazing work.

More long form videos! Perfect for working a desk job! Also, you all reading should try out Mitch Hoopers coaching. It was a great learning experience, not just a program!

Going to go for a one hour walk now.

Hahah farout I hear the aussie stained in your accent 😂 love it.

Great info 💪

this was great!

Awesome video Mitch, wait I mean TERRIBLE VIDEO MEAN COMMENTS!! But for real love this background knowledge and touching on the unspoken sides of the sport

Stress is your response to a given situation and from afar you seem to manage it pretty well. You remind me of the young version of Brian Shaw. He (along with Big Loz) can be great mentors to you for both competition and professional/business and how to balance them. Keep up the great work, you have the potential to be right there with greatest strongmen by the end of your career!

I like camera guy. He's a good wrangler for you lol.

Great Content Mitch

Gotta leave a mean comment then. My dude lookin like the wizard's orb, informative as one too. All the love Mitch.

Approved ✅ but no seriously you're doing great Mitch really enjoyed the video as always #moosedroppings

Mitch, thank you for your clear discussion on this. However, without discussing how prolonged PED use impacts life span and/or health span, is this not merely a partial discussion of this topic? I doubt you will respond to this but if Strongman is ever going to be a mainstream sport held in similar esteem to football, basketball and so on, the role PED's play in athlete performance and the possible negative health consequences of this deserve to be discussed. If not, it will probably continue to remain a fringe sport alongside powerlifting. Big fan of strongman BTW and your meteoric rise.

I really like your attitude mitch but Id like to see you touch on PED use would be refreshing, Loz is making the move of being more open and it would be cool if you led the way of being open about PEDs, ( obviously we are not asking for your cycle but just saying “ strongman use PEDs for performance - they aren’t it healthy etc )

What's your take on cell senescence? Aside from excess calories leading to weight gain, I've read that the oxidative effect of total calories consumed (processed/burned) over a lifetime is the most evidence-supported cause of being "old." Strongmen might also have more cell turnover and decrease their telomeres earlier. Great vid, although notably lacking a discussion of PEDs, I'd love to see more on the science of extreme sports and longevity! ... ... ...

Buddy your the future of strongman

Gosh, you (and Luke Stoltman) have the most beautiful voices in Strongman.

Great video Mitch, you sound like a really smart individual and you will help this sport massively. But I find it a bit strange not to talk about steroid use, everybody knows it’s happening, doesn’t make it less impressive. And it would be educational, especially for the younger generation.

Strongman is obviously not for everyone. It is an extreme sport for giants. I am super impressed with the young guys coming up. Records will fall!

something mean... love your stuff mitch

Probably one of the smartest perspectives in the strongman world.

Thank you, for being you 8)

Wow, I'm 7 minutes in and I feel like I've already learned a lot! When you say deloading or lifting heavy too quickly can cause injury, do you think that's what's behind Luke Richardson's lat tear?? He was deloading, which I would have thought would have been safer, but if deloading too fast can cause injury, it would be interesting to see his programme, surely?

When you had the mustache, you looked like Del Griffith from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. #meancomment jokes aside, great content sir. Very informative.

You're a good dude Mitch, I was going to try and write a mean comment to get the thread going for people to defend you, but I just can't do it!

Thanks Mitch

Never go without a mustache ever again.

Would love for you to speak about PEDs since no one does

No expert but you think they would have made some synthetic cartilage by now they can inject into joints lol. So overall would you say doing some relatively light strongman training exercises (basically what i do) is beneficial long term? Maybe 2 or 3 hours a week

I tried to think of a mean comment to write but it just feels wrong.. You seem like such a nice genuine person, hope a positive comment is fine too!

Thanks for sharing with us. You better yourself while inspiring us. Good freaking way to go! 🫶🏻

19:16 I'd love to see your backside 😂. Very insightful video. I remember Eddie talking about his retirement from Strongman before his WSM win due to the health impacts of the sport. Good that you are actively discussing and acknowledging this - its the way all sports are going.

Genuine reason for me not competing in powerlifting and strongman is because of the health implication from the requirement to take PEDs to make it to the top. I think this should be discussed in this topic. Still good content, big fan.

i think competing in it at an international level is less-than-healthy because of the pharmaceutical component and stress of the maxes and weights generally, BUT I think doing strongman movements at a lower intensity is some of the best all-around training a person can do, period

Is it possible that you could, perhaps in an indirect way, talk about the health implications of some of the more taboo elements of sport?

Nice

I'm going to WSM this year and I'm gonna bring a poster of buzz light-year with ur face on it

Good

Moose droppings! ,,,,,

the first time i saw you compete i head a lot of booing and was wondering why until i learned that your nickname was the moose at the next competition i saw u in xD

Yeah. So Im going to buy a sandbag and a sled. Cos work etc and a commercial gym means i dont get to use the sled etc as often as i want/need.

Im surprised by how smart you are. You are a jack of all traits

To the average Human Health is Subjective. To the average Medical professional Health is Objective. Somewhere in the middle is where the truth lies. I was 185lbs working out 6 days a week on multiple meds for blood pressure and cholesterol @21yrs old. Blew up to 240lbs and was still on meds @42yrs old. Lost down to 175lbs and Off all meds now @44yrs old.

All lifting is healthy and safe as long as you do it safely rather weekend warrior or 7 days a week warrior. It's all better than sitting around doing nothing.

Hooper you need to work on your yoke! YOU ARE WAY TOO SLOW!

What about inguinal hernias? I just got one and it sort of has me panicked.

Ah, I don't have it in me to say something mean. I LOVE YOU MAN! 😊

👍👍👍

Hi Mitch do you have any videos of you doing pull ups?

❤

You have a great personality. That's my comment. You are welcome :)

there's a saying about chess that I think also applies to competitive sports. Being good at chess is the mark of a gentleman, being exceptional at chess is the mark of a wasted life. Being a competitive athlete is not healthy, but doing strongman training naturally (not enhanced), building muscle, work capacity and mobility is going to be great for your health. On a different note, when you were talking about volume as setsxrepsxload, the convention I usually see is to refer to that as tonnage and to keep volume as just sets, just to avoid confusion.

What should we call him? Professor Hooper perhaps

It would be interesting to hear how you land on your larger athletic goals. Meaning, it seems like a pretty wild swing to go from marathon running to pro strongman, then back to an intense endurance sport like ironman.

I have a suspicion that if Mitch puts himself into any pursuit, especially physical ones, he could take it to infinity, but actually he goes beyond..

You're right Mitch, most of you guys would probably read the comments, someone posted on one of Eddie Halls video that they thought Evan Singleton was a nasty person, to which Edward responded it's not true and behind the scenes he's actually a good bloke, then fast forward he's one of Edwards first guests on the podcast lol.

in short: do what makes you happy

Talk about gear! That will get your numbers up