For Tom Stoltman, being different was never just a quirk – it was his constant companion. Diagnosed with autism as a young child, he struggled to find his place among peers who seemed effortlessly normal. As a skinny teenager, weighing 90kg at 6ft 8in with glasses and sticking-out teeth, Stoltman felt like an outcast.
Bullied in school for his differences, the now 31-year-old strongman turned to football as a distraction, only to find himself disillusioned by its shortcomings. "He's tinier than me, but he's pushing me off the ball," Stoltman recalled of watching professional footballers on the pitch.
At the lowest point of his teenage years, when he'd hit 16, it was as if everything had come crashing down around him. Football no longer captivated him; instead, screens beckoned with endless hours of Xbox gaming and junk food snacks – up to six bags a day. "Sometimes I'd skip meals," Stoltman admitted. It was then that his older brother Luke intervened, coaxing Tom into the gym.
Luke's introduction to strength training marked a turning point in Stoltman's life. The duo began training together, with Luke introducing Tom to free weights and pushing him beyond his limits. Initially, every 20kg bar felt like an insurmountable hurdle, but as the weeks passed, Stoltman adapted, eventually thriving on the intense physicality.
Watching Luke compete in strongman events was a defining moment for Tom – witnessing his brother effortlessly lift and tow massive objects had sparked something within him. Determined to follow suit, he joined a local gym and threw himself into training, adopting a strict diet of protein-rich meals to fuel his body.
For Stoltman, autism became an unlikely advantage in the world of strongman competitions. His singular focus on the task at hand allowed him to block out distractions and settle into a routine that others struggled with. The mental discipline required for these events also helped him harness his unique energy and channel it into raw power.
Today, Stoltman weighs 180kg – an imposing figure, but one that represents strength not just in physique but also the unwavering resolve he's cultivated. Five meals a day now fuel his training regimen, with each serving meticulously planned to optimize performance.
A stark contrast from the lost and insecure teenager who once stared into the mirror wondering "Why am I different?" Stoltman now stands tall as an unapologetic strongman full-time – running his own gym with his brother. With a nutritionist and sports doctor guiding him, he monitors his health closely, using cutting-edge biohacking tools like oxygen chambers and red-light therapy to optimize performance.
His body may weigh in at 180kg, but it's the internal fortitude that brings Stoltman to life – the mental toughness forged from years of pushing himself to his limits. For this strongman competitor, there is no shame in his size or shape; only an unyielding pride in the physical and mental superhuman he's become.
Bullied in school for his differences, the now 31-year-old strongman turned to football as a distraction, only to find himself disillusioned by its shortcomings. "He's tinier than me, but he's pushing me off the ball," Stoltman recalled of watching professional footballers on the pitch.
At the lowest point of his teenage years, when he'd hit 16, it was as if everything had come crashing down around him. Football no longer captivated him; instead, screens beckoned with endless hours of Xbox gaming and junk food snacks – up to six bags a day. "Sometimes I'd skip meals," Stoltman admitted. It was then that his older brother Luke intervened, coaxing Tom into the gym.
Luke's introduction to strength training marked a turning point in Stoltman's life. The duo began training together, with Luke introducing Tom to free weights and pushing him beyond his limits. Initially, every 20kg bar felt like an insurmountable hurdle, but as the weeks passed, Stoltman adapted, eventually thriving on the intense physicality.
Watching Luke compete in strongman events was a defining moment for Tom – witnessing his brother effortlessly lift and tow massive objects had sparked something within him. Determined to follow suit, he joined a local gym and threw himself into training, adopting a strict diet of protein-rich meals to fuel his body.
For Stoltman, autism became an unlikely advantage in the world of strongman competitions. His singular focus on the task at hand allowed him to block out distractions and settle into a routine that others struggled with. The mental discipline required for these events also helped him harness his unique energy and channel it into raw power.
Today, Stoltman weighs 180kg – an imposing figure, but one that represents strength not just in physique but also the unwavering resolve he's cultivated. Five meals a day now fuel his training regimen, with each serving meticulously planned to optimize performance.
A stark contrast from the lost and insecure teenager who once stared into the mirror wondering "Why am I different?" Stoltman now stands tall as an unapologetic strongman full-time – running his own gym with his brother. With a nutritionist and sports doctor guiding him, he monitors his health closely, using cutting-edge biohacking tools like oxygen chambers and red-light therapy to optimize performance.
His body may weigh in at 180kg, but it's the internal fortitude that brings Stoltman to life – the mental toughness forged from years of pushing himself to his limits. For this strongman competitor, there is no shame in his size or shape; only an unyielding pride in the physical and mental superhuman he's become.
Tom Stoltman's story is inspiring, but let's not forget that he was bullied as a kid and struggled with anxiety. He had to find his own way out of the darkness, and even then, he had to deal with the pressure of competition. And have you seen the prices of gym memberships and biohacking tools these days? It's all just a facade for the fact that we're all just trying to find our place in this messed up world 
, now he's crushing it in strongman competitions 
, and more importantly, finding self-acceptance & pride in being himself 
I mean, who needs to fit in when you can rock that unique energy & use it for something EPIC? 
The way he turned his struggles into strength (literally) is EVERYTHING. His story reminds me that embracing our quirks is the key to unlocking true greatness! 
) rather than something holding him back. I love that he was able to find a way to channel his energy and focus it into something positive, like weightlifting. And it's so cool that he's now helping others with autism through his own gym and training programs 
! The fact that he's not ashamed of who he is and can rock a 180kg frame like it's nothing is just amazing 
I can totally relate to Tom Stoltman's story, you know? Growing up, I was always a bit of an oddball too - had dyslexia and struggled in school 
. But instead of letting it hold me back, my parents encouraged me to focus on my passions (coding and gaming) and found ways to adapt my learning style. It wasn't easy, but looking back I'm so grateful for that extra support. The thing is, being different isn't a weakness - it's what makes us special 
.
he went from feeling like a total outcast to becoming a strongman competitor!! 
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i love that he's unapologetic about who he is & his brother Luke played such a huge role in helping him find his passion - they're literally the ultimate bros 
anyway just wanted to share this amazing story with everyone
This guy Tom Stoltman is defo a legend. His story is so inspiring, like he went from feeling like a total outcast to becoming this massive strongman. I love how his autism actually became an advantage for him in competitions 
It just goes to show that being different isn't always a bad thing, and with the right mindset and support, you can turn those perceived weaknesses into strengths 
have you guys tried those new plant-based protein powders? I know someone who swears by them, but I'm still a meat-and-potatoes kinda guy myself... did you know that the perfect steak is key to unlocking ultimate strength and happiness