Strength beyond the barbell: how elite athletes prioritize mental wellbeing

Over three days, competitors performed demanding tasks, including lifting over 180kg whisky barrels, moving large logs, and loading spheres into a cannon. Amidst the displays of physical prowess, conversations with the athletes revealed a surprising focus on mental wellbeing.

Many emphasized that their strength training extended far beyond the physical. Mitchell Hooper, a three-time Rogue Invitational champion and clinical exercise physiologist, described intense focus as a form of meditation, offering a coping mechanism for ongoing mental health struggles. “With exercise, doing nothing today is a guarantee of discomfort tomorrow, while feeling some discomfort today is a guarantee that you’ll be more capable tomorrow. It’s your choice which one you pick,” Hooper said.

Luke Stoltman, two-time Europe’s Strongest Man, shared a similar perspective. He recounted childhood struggles with anxiety and a tendency to avoid public speaking. “As soon as I got to the gym at 16, it was like all my anxiety almost disappeared. I didn’t have to speak to anyone, I could just concentrate on myself, and I found that feeling of being OK in my own skin.”

Stoltman, who now weighs over 150kg, acknowledged that even as a successful athlete, he still relies on exercise to manage anxiety. “But even this morning, I had to go to the gym to prepare myself for 12 hours of speaking to new people.”

He and his brother, fellow strongman Tom Stoltman, prioritize vulnerability and openness about their experiences. “We can be open about what we’re experiencing and what we’re going through,” Stoltman said. “But that doesn’t mean you just stop.”

While exercise isn’t a cure-all, the athletes’ experiences underscore its profound impact on mental health. Finding an activity that fosters a sense of self-acceptance and consistency can be a powerful tool for building strength, both physically and mentally.