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Tom's Guide
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Tom's Guide
How to watch 'World's Strongest Man' 2025 online
A major shake-up has effectively turned "World's Strongest Man" 2025 into one extended final. The revamp makes WSM 2025, which is being staged in Sacramento, California, a test of both strength and endurance. Here's how to watch "World's Strongest Man" 2025 from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free. Be warned, though: while the competition runs from May 15-18, it won't start airing until several weeks later. "World's Strongest Man" 2025 runs from Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18. It will air later this year.• WATCH FREE — My5 (U.K.)• U.S. — CBS and CBS Sports Network via Fubo or Paramount Plus• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free In another huge twist, the Stone-Off is no more, with the Stone Medley, involving every athlete, taking its place. Nobody can afford to rest on their laurels here. Two contenders from each of the five groups of five will make it through the heats, and they'll carry forward the points they earned. That's probably fine with Tom Stoltman and favorite Mitchell Hooper, aged 30 and 29 respectively. Perhaps not so good news for 40-year-old Luke Stoltman. With the younger Stoltman aiming for a fourth title, which would draw the Scotsman level with Brian Shaw, Magnus ver Magnusson and Zydrunas Savickas — one behind the great Mariusz Pudzianowski — he'll be pleased to have been drawn into Group 1. You can watch 2023 champion Hooper, last year's runner-up, in Group 2, while Group 3 features two-time WSM runner-up Mateusz Kieliszkowski, America's Strongest Man Lucas Hatton and Africa's Strongest Man Rayno Nel. Europe's Strongest Man Luke Richardson and in-form Ondrej Fojtu are in Group 4; Evan Singleton will contest Group 5 with the elder Stoltman and Pavlo Kordiyaka. Here's how to watch "World's Strongest Man" 2025 online from anywhere. We've also listed the events and contestants further down the page. Free-to-air My5 is the home of "World's Strongest Man" in the U.K., but it typically only starts airing on December 26 each year. By contrast, fans based in the U.S. can tune in throughout the summer on CBS and CBS Sports Network via Paramount Plus (7-day free trial) and Fubo (free trial). But what if you're on holiday and don't want to spend money on pay TV in another country, when you'd usually be able to watch the event at home? Don't worry — you can watch it via a VPN instead. We'll show you how to do that below. Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "World's Strongest Man" via your subscription? A VPN (Virtual Private Network) could be the fix you need. The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of whereabouts in the world you are. Ideal when you're away on vacation or business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market – read our NordVPN review to find out why. There's a good reason you've heard of NordVPN. We specialize in testing and reviewing VPN services and NordVPN is the one we rate best. It's outstanding at unblocking streaming services, it's fast and it has top-level security features too. With over 7,000 servers, across 110+ countries, and at a great price too, it's easy to recommend. Try the $3.99 per month plan for the best value Using a VPN is incredibly simple — just follow these steps: 1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite. 2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in Canada and want to view a British service, you'd select U.K. from the list. 3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to My5 and stream "World's Strongest Man" 2025 online. Broadcast plans for "World's Strongest Man" 2025 are under wraps at the time of publication, but it typically airs across CBS and CBS Sports Network, with streaming available via Paramount Plus (7-day free trial). CBS and CBS Sports Network are available to cord-cutters via Fubo. The Pro Plan costs $79.99 per month and gives you 189 channels, including ABC, USA Network, FS1, ESPN and FX, plus lots more for sports fans to enjoy. Paramount Plus starts at $7.99 per month, rising to $12.99 per month for live streaming and Showtime. "World's Strongest Man" premiered on July 20 last year, roughly six weeks after filming. For now, we'd recommend keeping an eye out for clips on the World's Strongest Man YouTube channel. Fubo is one of the best live TV services with CBS and CBS Sports Network. The streamer all of the local broadcast networks and most of the top cable channels. Who needs cable? Not Fubo subscribers. And it's got a 7-day free trial so you don't need to pay upfront. The Paramount Plus library includes "Survivor", "NCIS" and "Ghosts", as well as originals like "1923" and "Star Trek: Section 31". The Showtime plan also comes with that network's shows, like "Billions" and "Yellowjackets". "World's Strongest Man" typically starts airing on Boxing Day in the U.K.. On a more positive note, when it eventually arrives it will be available to watch for free on Channel 5 and its My5 streaming service. For now, you can watch snippets of the action on the "World's Strongest Man" YouTube channel. Anybody abroad in the U.K. from the U.S. can use one of the best VPN services to access their usual streaming service. We recommend NordVPN thanks to its speed, reliability and trusted security features. "World's Strongest Man" isn't available to watch in Canada. However, Americans and Brits traveling in Canada can catch it online by using a VPN, such as NordVPN. "World's Strongest Man" hasn't found a home in Australia. However, Americans and Brits traveling Down Under can still catch "World's Strongest Man" 2025 online by using a VPN like NordVPN. We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
I was never meant to be the World's Strongest Man and I'd lost all hope in life – my autism became my superpower
BY his own admission, Tom Stoltman was never meant to be the World's Strongest Man. Stoltman, 30, is one of the biggest names in the Strongman scene and the most decorated Brit in the history of the sport - earning the the title of World's Strongest Man in three of the last four years. 9 Tom Stoltman is a three-time World's Strongest Man champion But the Invergordon-born lifter had not always been aspiring to reach the pinnacle of the sport. In fact, had it not been from a nudge by his mother and the help of his brother, he may have never even competed. Stoltman has opened up about closing off the outside world in his youth as he battled with his autism diagnosis and claimed to have no future and no goals. But thanks to his family - and the gym - he was able to turn his autism into his superpower and become the World's Strongest Man. READ MORE IN STRONGMAN GROWING UP WITH AUTISM Stoltman was diagnosed with autism when he was just five years old and found that he was written off from a young age due to his diagnosis. He told the "I was getting bullied … I wouldn't be able to go sleep over at a friend's house. I wouldn't be able to go on a train 10 minutes from my house. I'd always have to have my mum everywhere." Stoltman was isolated, spending every day alone in his room and feeling that he had no future and no goals in sight. Most read in Other Sports I locked myself in my house was like, 'Right, I'm either going into [the social care system] or I'll just kill myself.' Tom Stoltman The Guardian And that feeling of being cut off from the rest of society had left Stoltman contemplating the worst. He added: "I was really, kind of, disheartened that I had autism … I was like 'Why is it me who has it and not my brothers and sisters?' 'I quit my football team because all my friends had left and I didn't have anywhere to go. "I locked myself in my house was like, 'Right, I'm either going into [the social care system] or I'll just kill myself.'' 9 Stoltman was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old Credit: instagram @tomstoltmanofficial Tom Stoltman shows off incredible strength as he trains ahead of World's Strongest Man 'THE GYM SAVED MY LIFE' There's no way of knowing for sure what path Stoltman would have gone down if he had continued to isolate himself, but thankfully he found something that helped change his life. Thanks to a nudge from his mother and the support of older brother Luke, Stoltman managed to get back on his feet and a find a passion that helped him make his autism his superpower. Luke - who is also a strongman - was going to the gym at the time and took his younger brother along with him to help him get out of the house. He previously said: "If I hadn't of said yes that day, if Luke hadn't taken me under his wing- I wouldn't have won World's Strongest Man, yet alone three times. The gym saved my life." Stoltman suddenly had something to focus on and his big brother by his side while he did. Although the initial sessions were hard with loud noises, mirrors and new faces, Stoltman soon found he couldn't keep away. He added: "One session turned into two, and before I knew it I was hooked. "My autism became my superpower, I was able to put 100 per cent focus into my new hobby. "Training gave me something to focus on and Luke was by my side, supporting me every step of the way, never letting me give in." 9 Stoltman's brother Luke took him under his wing and helped him find a passion at the gym Credit: Todd Burandt 9 The pair worked together to become the 'world's strongest brothers' Credit: Rex STRONGMAN AMBITIONS At first the gym was just a hobby for Stoltman, a way of channeling his autism to benefit his health and keep him in good shape. But that all changed when he watched Luke compete in Scotland's Strongest Man. Stoltman was in awe of how his brother was lifting huge stones and carrying cars and immediately knew that he wanted to be doing the same thing. He began to change his training routine, his diet and his application and by the age of 18 he won his first title - Highlands Strongest Man. Soon after that everything began to snowball and Stoltman was earning a reputation within the sport. Barely out of school, the 6ft 8in man-mountain began competing in the likes of Scotland's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man. 9 Stoltman became a strongman after being inspired by his brother Credit: Alamy THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD Stoltman only got better and better, and that boy who didn't used to be able to step out of his own bedroom was soon crowned the World's Strongest Man. At the age of 27, Stoltman won the 2021 edition of the Sacramento competition - becoming only the second Brit to do so in the 21st century. But it wasn't just that he had managed an impressive performance when it mattered most, Stoltman had dominated the sport. In the years that followed Stoltman became a three-time Britain's Strongest man winner and earned a consecutive WSM title in the 2022 competition - making more history as the first Brit to retain the title. Stoltman - nicknamed the Albatross for his incredible wingspan - had admitted that he was more interested in football than strongman as a kid, but years later and he had etched his name in the sport's metaphorical hall of fame. 9 Stoltman earned the title of World's Strongest Man Credit: Joe Martinez 9 He secured his third title last year Credit: Rich Storry/World's Strongest Man LIVING THE DREAM Stoltman continued his dominance when he bounced back from a 2nd place finish in the 2023 WSM competition to win his third title in 2024. But it hasn't just been about competing on the big stage, Stoltman has started to build an empire alongside his reputation. The Scot now boasts nearly 300,000 YouTube subscribers on a channel he shares with his brother, while he's just short of half a million followers on his own Instagram page. That has helped him create a clothing line that you've likely seen being sported by someone in your local gym. While Stoltman has been able to earn himself incredible opportunities, including living out his dream of playing football at Wembley. The Scot represented the Rest of World team in the 2022 Soccer Aid match, playing in goal and saving three penalties during the shootout. 9 The 6ft 8in giant played in Soccer Aid in 2022 Credit: instagram NOT FINISHED YET It sounds like a fairytale ending to an incredible story, but at just 30 years old Stoltman is ready to win even more titles and go down in history as one of the best strongmen ever. He returns to Sacramento to take part in his eighth World's Strongest Man competition this week, hoping to add a fourth title in five years. His 10,000 calorie per day diet and his wealth of experience will help fuel him to success as he remains among the favourites to win a historic fourth title. Brother Luke, 40, will also take part, having managed top 10 finishes for the last four years in a row. 9 Stoltman is aiming for glory once again this week Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
I was never meant to be the World's Strongest Man and I'd lost all hope in life – my autism became my superpower
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BY his own admission, Tom Stoltman was never meant to be the World's Strongest Man. Stoltman, 30, is one of the biggest names in the Strongman scene and the most decorated Brit in the history of the sport - earning the the title of World's Strongest Man in three of the last four years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Tom Stoltman is a three-time World's Strongest Man champion But the Invergordon-born lifter had not always been aspiring to reach the pinnacle of the sport. In fact, had it not been from a nudge by his mother and the help of his brother, he may have never even competed. Stoltman has opened up about closing off the outside world in his youth as he battled with his autism diagnosis and claimed to have no future and no goals. But thanks to his family - and the gym - he was able to turn his autism into his superpower and become the World's Strongest Man. READ MORE IN STRONGMAN MENTAL STRENGTH I was homeless and sleeping in barn, now I compete at World's Strongest Man GROWING UP WITH AUTISM Stoltman was diagnosed with autism when he was just five years old and found that he was written off from a young age due to his diagnosis. He told the Guardian: "My teachers said you're not going to do anything with your life. "I was getting bullied … I wouldn't be able to go sleep over at a friend's house. I wouldn't be able to go on a train 10 minutes from my house. I'd always have to have my mum everywhere." Stoltman was isolated, spending every day alone in his room and feeling that he had no future and no goals in sight. I locked myself in my house was like, 'Right, I'm either going into [the social care system] or I'll just kill myself.' Tom Stoltman And that feeling of being cut off from the rest of society had left Stoltman contemplating the worst. He added: "I was really, kind of, disheartened that I had autism … I was like 'Why is it me who has it and not my brothers and sisters?' 'I quit my football team because all my friends had left and I didn't have anywhere to go. "I locked myself in my house was like, 'Right, I'm either going into [the social care system] or I'll just kill myself.'' 9 Stoltman was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old Credit: instagram @tomstoltmanofficial Tom Stoltman shows off incredible strength as he trains ahead of World's Strongest Man 'THE GYM SAVED MY LIFE' There's no way of knowing for sure what path Stoltman would have gone down if he had continued to isolate himself, but thankfully he found something that helped change his life. Thanks to a nudge from his mother and the support of older brother Luke, Stoltman managed to get back on his feet and a find a passion that helped him make his autism his superpower. Luke - who is also a strongman - was going to the gym at the time and took his younger brother along with him to help him get out of the house. He previously said: "If I hadn't of said yes that day, if Luke hadn't taken me under his wing- I wouldn't have won World's Strongest Man, yet alone three times. The gym saved my life." Stoltman suddenly had something to focus on and his big brother by his side while he did. Although the initial sessions were hard with loud noises, mirrors and new faces, Stoltman soon found he couldn't keep away. He added: "One session turned into two, and before I knew it I was hooked. "My autism became my superpower, I was able to put 100 per cent focus into my new hobby. "Training gave me something to focus on and Luke was by my side, supporting me every step of the way, never letting me give in." 9 Stoltman's brother Luke took him under his wing and helped him find a passion at the gym Credit: Todd Burandt 9 The pair worked together to become the 'world's strongest brothers' Credit: Rex STRONGMAN AMBITIONS At first the gym was just a hobby for Stoltman, a way of channeling his autism to benefit his health and keep him in good shape. But that all changed when he watched Luke compete in Scotland's Strongest Man. Stoltman was in awe of how his brother was lifting huge stones and carrying cars and immediately knew that he wanted to be doing the same thing. He began to change his training routine, his diet and his application and by the age of 18 he won his first title - Highlands Strongest Man. Soon after that everything began to snowball and Stoltman was earning a reputation within the sport. Barely out of school, the 6ft 8in man-mountain began competing in the likes of Scotland's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man. 9 Stoltman became a strongman after being inspired by his brother Credit: Alamy THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD Stoltman only got better and better, and that boy who didn't used to be able to step out of his own bedroom was soon crowned the World's Strongest Man. At the age of 27, Stoltman won the 2021 edition of the Sacramento competition - becoming only the second Brit to do so in the 21st century. But it wasn't just that he had managed an impressive performance when it mattered most, Stoltman had dominated the sport. In the years that followed Stoltman became a three-time Britain's Strongest man winner and earned a consecutive WSM title in the 2022 competition - making more history as the first Brit to retain the title. Stoltman - nicknamed the Albatross for his incredible wingspan - had admitted that he was more interested in football than strongman as a kid, but years later and he had etched his name in the sport's metaphorical hall of fame. 9 Stoltman earned the title of World's Strongest Man Credit: Joe Martinez 9 He secured his third title last year Credit: Rich Storry/World's Strongest Man LIVING THE DREAM Stoltman continued his dominance when he bounced back from a 2nd place finish in the 2023 WSM competition to win his third title in 2024. But it hasn't just been about competing on the big stage, Stoltman has started to build an empire alongside his reputation. The Scot now boasts nearly 300,000 YouTube subscribers on a channel he shares with his brother, while he's just short of half a million followers on his own Instagram page. That has helped him create a clothing line that you've likely seen being sported by someone in your local gym. While Stoltman has been able to earn himself incredible opportunities, including living out his dream of playing football at Wembley. The Scot represented the Rest of World team in the 2022 Soccer Aid match, playing in goal and saving three penalties during the shootout. 9 The 6ft 8in giant played in Soccer Aid in 2022 Credit: instagram NOT FINISHED YET It sounds like a fairytale ending to an incredible story, but at just 30 years old Stoltman is ready to win even more titles and go down in history as one of the best strongmen ever. He returns to Sacramento to take part in his eighth World's Strongest Man competition this week, hoping to add a fourth title in five years. His 10,000 calorie per day diet and his wealth of experience will help fuel him to success as he remains among the favourites to win a historic fourth title. Brother Luke, 40, will also take part, having managed top 10 finishes for the last four years in a row.
The National
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
World's Strongest Man on autism struggle and Hemsworth Hollywood dream
Just over a decade later, the 30-year-old's life is unrecognisable. A book has been written, a documentary is on the verge of being released, a Hollywood film starring the Hemsworth brothers (of Marvel and Hunger Games fame) is in the pipeline and, perhaps most significantly, Stoltman has his sights set on becoming the greatest Strongman of all-time. Growing up, the Invergordon man was acutely worried about the direction in which life was heading. Bullied at school and restricted significantly by autism, there were countless things he either couldn't or wouldn't do, with leaving the house alone the most extreme example in a long list of limitations. 'Growing up with autism and seeing the path my life was going down, I really thought I was going to go to a care home or be at home for the rest of my life with my parents,' Stoltman says. 'It was my mum who changed my life - from day one until she passed away, she fought for everything for me. 'She kept pushing and pushing to get a diagnosis, which I got when I was 14, and that's when a big weight was taken off me and I felt like I'd been reborn because I felt like I wasn't hiding behind a fake smile anymore and I wasn't being judged. People started to understand why I couldn't do certain things. 'If you have autism, you can't do it yourself - you need to have the right support network around you and thankfully I had that. If it wasn't for my family, I would definitely not be where I am now.' Where Stoltman is now, and the success he's achieved, is astonishing, particularly given his starting point. It's no overstatement to say he's a phenomenon and with each passing year, he's garnering greater appreciation and alongside his brother, Luke, who is also one of the world's best Strongmen, their, story and particularly Stoltman's achievements, have attracted global attention. Tom Stoltman (r) alongside his brother, Luke (Image: .) It was never in Stoltman's plan for things to turn out this way, with his initial foray into the gym, encouraged by his elder brother, having the aim of nothing more than improving his mental and physical health. Stoltman could never have envisaged where that first step into the gym would end up taking him. Having rapidly progressed through the ranks in the sport, he won his first World's Strongest Man title in 2021, successful defended it in 2022 and made it a hat-trick of titles in 2024. Tom Stoltman with his World's Strongest Man trophy last year (Image: .) It's Stoltman's life story, coupled with his remarkable success - he's Britain's most successful-ever Strongman - that has seen his star rise quite so high and, to him anyway, unexpectedly. 'In my life, I've had a lot of negativity in terms of being bullied but I turned my life around and as soon as you win even just one World's Strongest Man title, your life changes,' he says. 'And now, having won three titles in the past few years, my life has transformed. 'There's so much going on with the book out already, the documentary hopefully coming out later this year and we've signed the rights over for a Hollywood movie with the pitch going to the Hemsworth brothers. To be talking about these things happening is just crazy. 'For me, though, the most important thing is my role trying to help other people with autism. 'All these Strongman titles are nice but what really touches me is when people tell me I've changed their kid's life. That means more to me than any trophy because you can win and lose titles but the impact you can have on somebody's life stays with them forever. 'So to sit and look at what my life is life now is absolutely crazy, the teenage me would never have believed it.' World's Strongest Man 2025 begins on Thursday in Sacramento in California and defending champion, Stoltman, is going for his fourth title in five years. A tweak to the format this year means the higher-ranked athletes, including Stoltman, will not benefit from the advantages of their high-ranking status that they've enjoyed in the past- the qualifying rounds are included in the scoring for the final - but irrespective of the format, Stoltman is feeling confident and is unburdened by the pressure of being defending champion. Tom Stoltman with his three World's Strongest Man trophies - he's going for a fourth this year (Image: .) 'I'm feeling really good. I changed my coach this year and I'm feeling fit, strong and I'm ready to win the title again,' he says. 'I just take it all in my stride in terms of being defending champion. I know that if I'm at 100 percent I've got a very good chance of winning the title so whether I'm defending champion or not, I go in with the same mindset. 't's getting harder and harder to win the title - every year, the guys get stronger but that's good because it pushes me onto another level. 'The new format means the top guys don't have any advantage but I think that makes it exciting and better for the fans. 'And I love Sacramento - I've been there twice and won there twice so hopefully that's a good omen.' At 6'8', weighing around 27 stone and lifting the equivalent of five fridges simultaneously, Stoltman is an astonishing physical specimen. Having dropped a couple of stone in weight this year, he's feeling in the shape of his life and he's even transformed his diet in order to maximise his physical potential. 'My diet has changed completely since last year's World's Strongest Man and this is the strongest and fittest I've been in my life,' he says. 'I have a really simple breakfast - eight to ten eggs on toast, then I'll have for a snack which is a protein shake and some fruit. 'I'll have a cheat meal before the gym to help me with some extra energy so it'll be something like a burger and chips. 'Post-gym, I'll have two meals of steak so while it's a lot, I do try to keep as many of my meals as possible healthy. 'It's 6 to 7,000 calories in a typical day and then as I've gotten closer to World's Strongest Man it's gone up to 9 or 10,000 calories a day.' The current record of World's Strongest Man titles is five, accumulated by Poland's Mariusz Pudzianowski. It's a record Stoltman has his sights firmly set upon but he has a strategy to ensure he gets the most out of both his Strongman career, and his life as a whole. All going to plan, Stoltman will win title number four next weekend and will then take a sabbatical from the sport to give himself a well-earned break. He will use his time away to refresh and rejuvenate before he returns to the Strongman circuit and becomes, he hopes, the best the sport has ever seen. 'I would love to break the record of five titles but this isn't a sport like football when you can win five and six titles in a row,' he says. 'The options for me are keep going until my body fails me or take a year or two off and refresh and come back better so my plan is to do this season and then get away from the sport for a year or two and give my body a rest, see what other opportunities are out there and live the life that I want for a while. 'People often forget that I'm still only 30 years old so, realistically, I could take a few years off, come back and still win another three titles by the time I'm 40. 'So, absolutely, my plan is to win six titles and be the greatest this sport has ever seen.' Given what Stoltman has achieved in his life to date, surely only a fool would bet against him.
The Herald Scotland
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
World's Strongest Man on autism struggle and Hemsworth Hollywood dream
A book has been written, a documentary is on the verge of being released, a Hollywood film starring the Hemsworth brothers (of Marvel and Hunger Games fame) is in the pipeline and, perhaps most significantly, Stoltman has his sights set on becoming the greatest Strongman of all-time. Growing up, the Invergordon man was acutely worried about the direction in which life was heading. Bullied at school and restricted significantly by autism, there were countless things he either couldn't or wouldn't do, with leaving the house alone the most extreme example in a long list of limitations. 'Growing up with autism and seeing the path my life was going down, I really thought I was going to go to a care home or be at home for the rest of my life with my parents,' Stoltman says. 'It was my mum who changed my life - from day one until she passed away, she fought for everything for me. 'She kept pushing and pushing to get a diagnosis, which I got when I was 14, and that's when a big weight was taken off me and I felt like I'd been reborn because I felt like I wasn't hiding behind a fake smile anymore and I wasn't being judged. People started to understand why I couldn't do certain things. 'If you have autism, you can't do it yourself - you need to have the right support network around you and thankfully I had that. If it wasn't for my family, I would definitely not be where I am now.' Where Stoltman is now, and the success he's achieved, is astonishing, particularly given his starting point. It's no overstatement to say he's a phenomenon and with each passing year, he's garnering greater appreciation and alongside his brother, Luke, who is also one of the world's best Strongmen, their, story and particularly Stoltman's achievements, have attracted global attention. Tom Stoltman (r) alongside his brother, Luke (Image: .) It was never in Stoltman's plan for things to turn out this way, with his initial foray into the gym, encouraged by his elder brother, having the aim of nothing more than improving his mental and physical health. Stoltman could never have envisaged where that first step into the gym would end up taking him. Having rapidly progressed through the ranks in the sport, he won his first World's Strongest Man title in 2021, successful defended it in 2022 and made it a hat-trick of titles in 2024. Tom Stoltman with his World's Strongest Man trophy last year (Image: .) It's Stoltman's life story, coupled with his remarkable success - he's Britain's most successful-ever Strongman - that has seen his star rise quite so high and, to him anyway, unexpectedly. 'In my life, I've had a lot of negativity in terms of being bullied but I turned my life around and as soon as you win even just one World's Strongest Man title, your life changes,' he says. 'And now, having won three titles in the past few years, my life has transformed. 'There's so much going on with the book out already, the documentary hopefully coming out later this year and we've signed the rights over for a Hollywood movie with the pitch going to the Hemsworth brothers. To be talking about these things happening is just crazy. 'For me, though, the most important thing is my role trying to help other people with autism. 'All these Strongman titles are nice but what really touches me is when people tell me I've changed their kid's life. That means more to me than any trophy because you can win and lose titles but the impact you can have on somebody's life stays with them forever. 'So to sit and look at what my life is life now is absolutely crazy, the teenage me would never have believed it.' World's Strongest Man 2025 begins on Thursday in Sacramento in California and defending champion, Stoltman, is going for his fourth title in five years. A tweak to the format this year means the higher-ranked athletes, including Stoltman, will not benefit from the advantages of their high-ranking status that they've enjoyed in the past- the qualifying rounds are included in the scoring for the final - but irrespective of the format, Stoltman is feeling confident and is unburdened by the pressure of being defending champion. Tom Stoltman with his three World's Strongest Man trophies - he's going for a fourth this year (Image: .) 'I'm feeling really good. I changed my coach this year and I'm feeling fit, strong and I'm ready to win the title again,' he says. 'I just take it all in my stride in terms of being defending champion. I know that if I'm at 100 percent I've got a very good chance of winning the title so whether I'm defending champion or not, I go in with the same mindset. 't's getting harder and harder to win the title - every year, the guys get stronger but that's good because it pushes me onto another level. 'The new format means the top guys don't have any advantage but I think that makes it exciting and better for the fans. 'And I love Sacramento - I've been there twice and won there twice so hopefully that's a good omen.' At 6'8', weighing around 27 stone and lifting the equivalent of five fridges simultaneously, Stoltman is an astonishing physical specimen. Having dropped a couple of stone in weight this year, he's feeling in the shape of his life and he's even transformed his diet in order to maximise his physical potential. 'My diet has changed completely since last year's World's Strongest Man and this is the strongest and fittest I've been in my life,' he says. 'I have a really simple breakfast - eight to ten eggs on toast, then I'll have for a snack which is a protein shake and some fruit. 'I'll have a cheat meal before the gym to help me with some extra energy so it'll be something like a burger and chips. 'Post-gym, I'll have two meals of steak so while it's a lot, I do try to keep as many of my meals as possible healthy. 'It's 6 to 7,000 calories in a typical day and then as I've gotten closer to World's Strongest Man it's gone up to 9 or 10,000 calories a day.' The current record of World's Strongest Man titles is five, accumulated by Poland's Mariusz Pudzianowski. It's a record Stoltman has his sights firmly set upon but he has a strategy to ensure he gets the most out of both his Strongman career, and his life as a whole. All going to plan, Stoltman will win title number four next weekend and will then take a sabbatical from the sport to give himself a well-earned break. He will use his time away to refresh and rejuvenate before he returns to the Strongman circuit and becomes, he hopes, the best the sport has ever seen. 'I would love to break the record of five titles but this isn't a sport like football when you can win five and six titles in a row,' he says. 'The options for me are keep going until my body fails me or take a year or two off and refresh and come back better so my plan is to do this season and then get away from the sport for a year or two and give my body a rest, see what other opportunities are out there and live the life that I want for a while. 'People often forget that I'm still only 30 years old so, realistically, I could take a few years off, come back and still win another three titles by the time I'm 40. 'So, absolutely, my plan is to win six titles and be the greatest this sport has ever seen.' Given what Stoltman has achieved in his life to date, surely only a fool would bet against him.
