BECOMING UNBEATABLE FT MITCHELL HOOPER | SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST EP.55
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- In this episode, Mitch opens up about his journey from struggling with confidence to becoming a successful strongman competitor. He shares pivotal moments, including moving to Australia for a fresh start, running a marathon on a challenge from his mom, and tackling mental health struggles. Mitch discusses the discipline and habits that drive his success, the importance of giving back, and his philosophy of only taking on the toughest challenges. As he looks to the future, Mitch talks about his goal to win as many strongman shows as he can, complete an Ironman, and make a lasting impact in the sport of strongman.
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I honestly can't figure out how people can listen to either one of these guys in this kind of conversation and not like them. Both are genuine guys and epic competitors
100% incredible people doing incredible things
Im a fan of both guys, especially after Shaw took a stand and threw out his picture of Arnold Shartwzinigger when he told us all to "sqrew your freedoms".
Yes
Yeah Mitch is so honest, open and intelligent. I'm a big fan but I've never heard of some of these stories he's telling here. Just reminds you how deep he is as a man.
How much time do you spend trying to figure this out?
And how many people have you identified as doing that?
:)
Two of the most cerebral strongmen ever. Interviewing each other. Brilliant .
Yeah such a treat. Two goat strongmen from two different eras colliding.
Nailed it, not just meat heads. Slap heads yes.
Mitch Hooper and Brian Shaw my two favorite strong man.
But I personally would not call Mitch a GOAT yet. I think its premature at this point. I want to see some longevity before l use the term goat for mitch. At least a decade of wins.
@@Benjamin-to2zq I get your point, but Mitch has been training strongman for roughly 4 years. He has had a METEORIC rise in the sport. He already has cemented himself in the history books with what he's done up to this point. We'll see much more of hooper and I'm super excited to see the "rivalry" between him and thor.
@@Benjamin-to2zq I'm canadian and I 100% agreed with your stateman. Also Brian won 4 strongest man competition but he was really close to win more and he compete with some of the best competitor.
“As long as I’m in shape, and I always am, I don’t want anyone winning a title without beating me.” That’s not arrogance, that’s confidence. Inspiring stuff
Yep, & so what if it is arrogance?? Then best him. You can't? Then why have feelings about his perceived or actual arrogance?? Until he stops earning his arrogance, I don't see folks' issue with it/him...this isn't a puppy petting contest (I too have zero idea why there'd ever be a puppy petting contest).
@@scottsherman5262if you ever happen to find such a contest, I’d like to participate
People who haven't experienced mental health issues are a little confused by it and i understand that. Brian Shaw may not have experienced it in the same way Mitch has, but he truly is trying to be respectful and understand it. Mitch Hooper is truly putting it all out there in hopes of it helping someone else. I am blown away by all of this. it's truly beautiful. Thanks, Mitch. Wow. So good.
Mitch definitely needed this opportunity to show us fans who he is and what he's really about. So much more respect for the guy.
Did he? He's on the RUclipss so much...great conversation for sure.
Mitchell needed to sit down and open up for 2 hrs about himself. I feel his 15 min videos you don't get to see who this man really is. Thank you for being you Mitch and never straying away.
I think that's how it should be with everyone. You can't ever get to know someone in small 10 or 15 min snippets of pre-planned content. It's over the course of a long conversation that you learn about someone through not only what they tell you, but also how they tell you.
Wow, didn't expect this podcast to go so deep. Appreciate Mitch sharing his experience with mental health issues.
Mitch is a beta male. Very expected
😂😂😂😂😂
@@That90sShow Thor simp crying on every comment. Lmao cope harder
@@That90sShow?
@@That90sShow This response...leaves so much open to interpretation.
This is the most ive heard about Mitchell's life and Ive been watching him for a while, great podcast Brian and huge respect to Mitchell it only makes him more of a man being able to talk about these things
Yeah same, a lot of old stories here I've never heard Mitch tell before. Him talking about inviting people to his own party and only having one show up was sad though :(
@@hannibalb8276 Yeah that's a tough one. I had a party once and invited all my "friends". Sat in the garden with a bbq going beers ready etc. Not one person showed up. It still effects me to this day, it was probably 10 years ago. I withdrew from society after that.
I could listen to these two talk all day long
In the past, from a pure strongman fan perspective, I've called Mitch a bit boring. However, his raw honesty and insight is very refreshing. I love this.
How is he boring? He dominates and it's exciting to watch for second place.
I didn't like him at first. Didn't like his personality and he had a few RUclips videos that were basically entirely commercial ads. He grew on me though.
If he won and just said yes I’m pumped to win this is awesome! Instead of giving us a telling to on life messages I think people would like him more and find him less boring. Mission is great but delivery is a buzzkill.
He's boring in the same with the San Antonio Spurs were boring, the deeper you get into it the less boring he is. You gotta know ball.
Don't feel guilty for success, you've earned it ❤
What a couple of absolute legends. Poddy of the year right here.
If you do read this Mitch. You've influenced so many people in such a short space of time. You're a very special human being. Stay strong bud.
This is the by far the best strongman podcast i've ever watched, both of you guys are an outstanding inspiration for anyone out there to just be a little better, day by day
First Cbum and now Mitch, damn fine Canadian out here representing for us all! Thank you fellas. And thank you Brian Shaw. This was a great episode!
Mitch is a gift to the world. I'm glad things turned around when he was younger and we get to benefit from his success today. Good job with this one, Brian.
To hear these guys talk about 900lbs as a "light load" is just unreal. Absolute machines, these guys.
I also really appreciate Hooper opening up about his mental health. He's helping a lot of people by sharing that I'm sure.
Mitch is such a fascinating individual! Just one of the most confident and easy going people. And the fact that he is going through all this while also being that confident is just amazing.
Confidence is often a mask for vulnerability and depression. If you see how some people who seem totally with it and have happy families commit suacide is because of an ability to mask their true feelings. Hats off to Mitchell for acknowledging his depression and all the ups and downs that come with it. He has probabably helped people break that bubble and seek help with their own depression.
Mitchell, you have touched my heart brother, thank you for sharing your spirit. Brian, thank you for sitting down with Mitchell and having this heart to heart conversation
Beta
@@That90sShow Thor simp crying on every comment. Lmao cope harder
@@That90sShow You saying what ???
9:31 "9 out of 10 people that you'll run into in day to day life, they're pretty good people" this is true, a lot of people in youtube comments don't seem to get this but it's genuinely true. You live in a better world than you think.
Eh... that depends on what you consider bad people, been 1 out of 10 that is probably hidding some mayor crime, sure that actually seems right. But 9 out of 10? Bit much, i think is more 50/50 and i love been optimistic about people.
@@antoniocenteno1483 You think only HALF of humanity is good? That's way too negative and is totally at odds with my experiences with people. Realistically it's probably 7 to 8 out of 10.
Social media overrepresents sociopathic people, and that's a fact
I guess it depends on the society you are living in. I live in a small village. Here it is easily 9 out of 10.
@@Vaquix000Yeah, and again, i'm not even pessimistic about it. Maybe depends where I live and my network of work. I'm a lawyer so have to dig into peoples life to make cases and they have to come clean before you so you get to know their secrets
This was the first time I paused a you-tube video so I wouldn't miss anything. The chemistry between these 2 is obvious on video.
19:10 is maybe one the most direct callouts I’ve gotten from a video, absolutely Mitch’s experience and ability to share that kind of a thing helped me. Right now I’m in a very similar situation even down to moving out to Australia and there’s been a lot of hard moments during that. You two are a fantastic pair to listen to and are helping me.
For the sake of my mental health, I can attest to the power of one positive thing. On my worst days, it can feel like the whole world is collapsing around me and I'm surrounded with this incredible inertia of negativity. When that happnens, I do one positive thing. It can be as simple as doing the dishes and I can look at the sink that's empty and know I'll wake up the next morning and no matter what happens at least I won't have a sink full of dirty dishes and that's something I can build from moving forward. I completely agree that you don't ever "fix" your mental health, but you can give yourself tools to keep yourself from going down a negative spiral and letting a bad day turn into a bad week turn into a bad month. Telling myself that I always have the agency to ability to do one positive thing on my worst of days is the thing that's allowed me to keep my bad days from turning into bad weeks.
This is a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing!
100% agree the simple act of accomplishing something, even seemingly trivial has an incredibly positive impact. As you say doing it early is the key to things not developing into something insurmountable.
There are days when my dirty dishes are a consequence of the mental health, and other days where the mental health is a consequence of the dirty dishes.
Completely disregarding strongman, I think the world is a better place with both of you in it. Thank you for the honesty and being vulnerable. You are much appreciated and deeply respected!
Two guys who really treat strongman as a real profession.
Honestly the best Strongman podcast episode I have listened to/watched. Two of the most analytical and highest achieving strongmen showing us the thought process needed to be a top athlete an a thriving business man. Big fan of both of these gentlemen.
Not to mention highly intelligent and EMOTIONALLY intelligent! Two of the biggest strongest dudes openly talking about mental health is super cool!
It’s funny how Mitch flipped the script and started interviewing Brian lol 😂
Brian has always been more of a "let's have a conversation" than a strait interview. That's bound to happen in that kind of thought process.
Brian strives to have a conversation. You ask him, he asks you, and you spend time getting to know one another as well as the listeners learn more. For myself, I think I learn more about someone sometimes by the questions they ask rather than the answer they give to a question. It reveals where their thoughts are
This better have a million views by the end of December. This is good stuff
Hooper has been the best guest so far! It's an actual podcast vs an interview! 💪
Mitch...I feel for you brother.....just remember things can always get better....all the way around. You have been a great example and role model for people to strive to be their best. Try to remain positive and realize you cant solve all the worlds problems, nor is it YOUR duty to do so........as Monty Python song goes.....always look on the bright side of life!
we love Mitch for keeping it real 24/7, open talk life happens, some stuff comes easy but its never everything easy. Thanks Brian
Mitchel’s childhood sounds very similar to mine. Parents split at a young age, mom’s father is a very good business man and we spend every Christmas in Florida as well. It’s nice to hear from someone who has gone through similar experiences. It makes me feel like I’m not alone.
Sounds like you had a great life quit being a baby
@@mattjonas1237 😂
must be so hard being a spoiled rich kid
You see the thumbnail and you know this is going to be packed with value
Brian - that emotional video that you put out after the event was as real as it gets.... those kinds of things make you even more loved by the community.
Mitchell's shins show hes serious about that 505
Surprised more people don't notice that
Was aboot to say that very same thing. 🫎
To be fair his legs have already been beat up, but yeah you can tell he's been going hard on the deads these days
I don’t get why he’s not wearing socks or something
@@ColdStone52 because he's not a pussy and I guess a sock,even if it adds only 2mm, away from centre of mass or w.e hooper would say then technically that gna make it harder
I can totally relate to the good day/bad day conversation. Good days are really good, and bad days are really bad, like I just can't fathom getting through bad days when I'm in it. But as I get older, I tend to be more able to step out of my shoes, take a look at the bigger picture, and just realize it's a bad day and get through it easier. It doesn't become easier, but my mindset of "it's just another bad day, there's good ones around the corner, let's do this" makes it more tolerable.
I didn’t think anything would make me like Hooper more but this was it. Love that you did this Brian 🐐
Another amazing interview Brian! I also follow Mitch and this is the first time I found out about his move to Australia. I'm glad it made such a positive impact on his life. I feel like you both needed this conversation. It's not often you get a chance to speak with someone that has the same mindset and fully understands what you'e going through regardless of what you went through growing up. I'm also glad that SMOE is going to keep going and that Moose will stick to strongman even after his days as a competitor. As I mentioned before, the last SMOE was great, just the way the implements were rolling back towards the competitors in the press event kind of made me worried. Besides that, I'm glad you're committed to continuing to create custom, exciting event equipment for future SMOE shows.
Mitch is hitting on a change in many sports as they grow: the transition from being populated by naturally talented guys who rose to the top because they were skilled/strong/etc, to more athletic guys putting serious effort into training their skills and and getting fit, whether to overcome the gifted guys or to push their own genetic baselines even further. We saw it in hockey in the '90s, we saw it in golf with Woods, and we're now seeing it in sports like curling and with Mitch in strongman.
I get what your saying. But Hooper is extremely natural gifted. Put there a serious training mindset behind and you get the best of the best.
@@mrsensei8878 I agree with you, that's what I'm saying, Mitch is the crest of that wave. Before Tiger Woods, the pros were extremely naturally gifted golfers who didn't necessarily need to hone their skills. After Tiger, the best pros had to add a serious training mindset to level the field, and now there are a lot of serious athletes at the top. Imagine what's going to happen in strongman when every pro pays as much attention to training and nutrition and science as Mitch does.
@@Kongrisser
Yeah also the people who grew up with watching Shaw, Big Z, Eddie Hall etc. are now getting of an age that they also will compete. Wich will lead to a way bigger pool of athletes in the future.
Hooper has quickly become one of my favorite strongman over the past couple years.
He's so incredibly athletic for his size.
If anyone is going to pull 505kg it's Hooper and Thor.
Its gonna happen eventually!
I think thor won't ever do it, not that he couldn't do it, but I don't think he will.
1,113.33lb makes my stomach wana barf
His life always strikes me as so similar to my own. Parents divorced at 3, raised by mom, step-dad in and then out of the picture, never tried to make friends, genetically gifted athlete. We were really poor, though. And my solitude stuff also made me pretty averse to sports though. I just lifted weights and ran. He was lucky to have had that.
Awe. Poor victim
@That90sShow Huh? I don't see myself as a victim at all, and I've done well for myself and life is good. I just wish I did more sports. lol. Chill tfo
phenomenal talk, i got a lot from Mitch talking about the good and bad days, cause sometimes it just feels like there's no point to anything but you can always push through it to be better
Squat, Deadlift, and Bench are so universally done that it's so fun to watch the worlds strongest men try those lifts. I definitely love watching them at that level and am glad you're trying to make any of them work for a strongman competition.
Mitch needs someone to bring it, he needs someone to compete with him. He realizes these guys aren’t coming close enough and is genuinely trying to get someone to step up. Thor is that someone and he recognizes it.
@ meh, you just negative Nancy
We are lucky Thor decided to return. Otherwise it would be boring with the moose dominating everything
I strongly relate to how you think socially/mental health wise Mitch. I’ve been watching your videos since I discovered the gym as an outlet for myself, but didn’t know all of that about you. Thank you for being so open. It’s an inspiration to us guys who think like you.
Thank you both! This was literally the best podcast episode ive ever listened to. Please have mitch back again soon! And definitely take him up on the commentator role.
This is getting me so hyped for SMOE. It’s my favorite competition and I can’t wait to see what Brian comes up with next. Greatest Show On Earth!
What a great video with two living legends!
Great to hear two titans talk on this level and remind us that they are still human beings with relatable backgrounds and troubles and how they work through them to become successful.
Big love to you both
Deep conversation. Good to see open honest conversation about life and sport between two of the best. Thanks for giving back to the fans and for being role models for younger fans out there. It motivates me to keep moving and working out to get stronger even at 47. Keep up the good work gents!
I love that men can talk about what bothers them. It's like Rogan says about men living lives of quiet desperation. We tend to hold a lot inside, feeling like there's something wrong with us and what is our purpose among it all? I think one of our purposes is to figure ourselves out while, in the process, talking about it so as to relate to others that they, too, might open themselves up as to allow themselves out while allowing others in. We have to release some aspects of ourselves to make room for others to enter our (head) space. This was one of the best interviews I've seen in a long time. Mitch might not always know his purpose, but he just exercised one of them right here.
You cant help to want to improve by watching these two.
These 2 gentlemen are truly built different. What an awesome conversation
What an honest and pure podcast, the mirror is the strongest and most realistic leveller. Only discovered strongman this year whilst recovering from a broken Femur, it cannot be measured on any scale how by experiencing strongman helped my physical recovery but more importantly the MENTAL health benefits I thank the Strongman community.
Mitch living in Australia 🇦🇺 I'm surprised we haven't adopted you as one of own you know after living here we like a winner 🥇
Lift heavy be kind, great & spicy 🌶 you know where I'm coming from.
WOW! The self awareness of Mitchell speaks so highly of him! Great podcast.
1:44:39 don’t know if the Shaw Strength team/ Brian will read this, however, just want to say Ima huge fan of the Shaw Classic/ SMOE. It’s so great to watch. One day I hope to see it in person. Unfortunately some people are non constructive of their criticism plus people thinking power lifting is strongman. If you do ever stop SMOE it was good while it lasted. This show is my favorite to watch and I will pay to watch the live stream every year. If I can watch in person I will go as often I can. I love the fact you try new things out and new apparatuses. It’s new and different and interesting. I as a fan am grateful for the SMOE and Shaw Classic and hope to see it continue.
In five years Brian will have his own international arm wrestling competition. What a compelling conversation, thanks for the insights guys. I think you are both the best ambassadors of the strength sport with the most positive messaging.
I was having one of those bad days when I started this podcast , but you both have helped me switch to the positive vibe.
Appreciate it 🙏
The biggest strongest men on earth being vulnerable and talking about mental health. Brian's right, Mitch talking about his issues might help even 1 viewer of this episode. This podcast is great Brian. keep it up.
I love your profile pic!
27:52 I was literally exactly there during Covid. 28, just graduated, living in parents basement trying to get that first job. Lifting saved my life during that period.
Australia's very own Mitchell Hooper lessssgoooooo
Umm hes Canadian good try
The best interview ever. Hooper opening up so much is so amazing and helpful. His brutal honesty is refreshing. Thank you both.
what a bloody interesting dude Mitchel is.. can relate to alot of what he says too. Puts it so well
I definitely felt the same way as Mitch did as a kid. I hated it. 2011 was my first and only suicide attempt. Right now, I’m doing well. Still have my down times but the gym and my daughter keep me strong. My self-awareness is highly fine tuned too.
Things will get better, have faith!
@@BuffPomskythank you! 37 years in this earth and I think there’s a lot more for me to do and achieve so my daughter can have a great example in life and know who her father is.
Glad to hear you’re doing better, pal. You probably know this, but as a psychotherapist, I always like to remind people that it’s okay to seek help, whether that’s from a professional, your loved ones, or both
this podcast is gonna be huge.
Good shit brian
Interesting talk. Michell really opened up in this. Shows the respect he has for Brian.
Need a part 2 of this podcast!
I love Mitchell. The Man is real. I have the honor out working out at his home gym, picking his brain, getting some face to face motivation from him. He's a solid guy. Inside and out.
So glad you’re having the SMOE again! I’m definitely putting it on the calendar to be there!
This like the Canadian and American versions of the same guy. Both so big! So chill! And both are empathetic smarter guys… and 2 of the goats.
I have followed Mitch for awhile and knew he was a good guy, but like him way more now for opening up on mental health issues, and I feel like he does so somehow because Brian is such a good listener and communicator. Get the jist that he looks at Brian like a big brother.
On another note I related to Mitch's upbringing having a split family from a young age. When he said it made him very cautious and independent from people over the years, and then when Brian said even if theres one person that can listen to this and relate, I knew that person was me. A podcast collab that came at a time I didnt know I needed. Blessings my brothers
Mitch, you should sit down and have a chat with Luke Stoltman one day you get a chance. I get the feeling he's dealing with the same kind of mental health issues as yourself, and trying the same kind of things to bring purpose to the days that lie ahead.
Thanks for opening up like this. I know just too well what those bad days are like, and how important it is to have something to hold on to on those days, even if it's as small a thing as a task left unfinished, because nothing else might matter at that moment.
Stay strong, man 💪
EDIT: With the recent news about Luke, I take back the part about speaking to him.
Mitch‘s social problems sound exactly like mine, growing up, I wish I had dealt with it the way he did. What a relatable dude who we can look up to!
Best Podcast I've ever seen! 2 of the best of all time, and better still, 2 great men!
both great ambassadors to the sport of strongman and strength sports in general.
Officially now a Mitch fan! What a cool honest dude that is so refreshing right now.
Mitchell, I relate to your perspective completely. The world is unjust in how it distributes resources and opportunities. I don’t think it invalidates your existence or successes, but calls upon you, as you have felt and been doing, to help others and correct that injustice in whatever ways you can.
Over two hours with, I'd say, the two smartest strongman athletes of all time and the discussion is awesome! Hell yeah!
I have 145 IQ so I am the smartest.
Really appreciate feeling this genuine conversation from the former great to the upcoming great . Two hall of fame strongmen. Side note awesome camera angle to highlight Brian’s massive forearms 😅
Brian and Mitch, my two favorite atletes talking for two hours plus ! AWESOME!
This may be the best podcast i have ever listened to thank you both for sharing this
I'm so glad this happened. This is Something that everyone can learn from. Love you guys!
This man is a very special athlete, but also a special human being. I like him very much. He is amazing and so humble.
😂😂😂😂😂
@@That90sShow Thor simp crying on every comment. Lmao cope harder
What Mitch said about not focusing on “being better” and rather that life is a series of tunnels is helpful! ❤
This was fantastic! - I've never watched anything on youtube over 2 hours. Can we get a monthly strongman show with these two? Mitch and Brian are great together.
This was awesome. 2 of the greatest minds in strongman just exchanging some of their experience.
Hooper is such a good guzy, he even wants his competitors to grow. He is giving away game for free.
Also really good for the moose to talk to someone like Brian. Mitch seems to have a lot on his mind. Stay strong brother.
Amazing interview with 2 legends of the sport. It's amazing to see these 2 giants, be so humble and open to talk about things!
Massive fan of both of these guys, they're both world class athletes and incredible people from what we're shown. That being said, the amount of mouth breathing in the mics was absurd lmao. I listened to the whole thing but was laughing the entire time.
I love hearing the difference between their approaches, I typically lean more Shaw style (prepare, checklist, perfectionist) but it's good to see that there are more ways to "skin the cat" so to speak
Mitch you are an inspiration and have already given to the world more than you know.
What a lovely lad mitch is ..Mental health is the most important thing we have ..Two brilliant men on that sofa .
Mitch is a great role model in terms of the courage to be disliked. A very authentic human and something I aspire to.
I love Mitch calling out his fellow competitors. It’s so true and obvious since about 2018ish or when Eddie Hall retired. No one since the days of Eddie, Brian, Big Z, Thor, Loz, Lalas prime era has pushed this sport to the “next level”. In fact it’s regressed in a number of ways (just look at max deadlift which is a prime example). Great stuff all around!!! Marine Mike 🇺🇸 💪
Mitch you give back every time I see your output on YT. You are a class guy and though I am older than you one day I might be as good as you.
Mitch thanx for opening up! i appreciate your vulnerability.
God Mitch is such an empathetic person I can understand how it can mess with his head. I can understand how to him it’s totally rational to feel guilty at times. We can be your worst enemy sometimes. I can get so angry at myself for caring about a relationship sometimes I just feel like crying or shutting down. Then I can look back and think why did I get so upset about nothing.
I have the absolute upmost respect for Mitch for opening up like this, not an easy thing, he’s helping more people that he actually realises, what an inspiration, you just gained a new fan 🫶🏼💙
This conversation aged well, as Hooper won the Rogue competition by a mile (10 points from 2nd place with a 60 total is immense). And winning basically every 2024 competition except WSM. I think it does lend creedence to the theory that WSM crappy handles for the farmer's walk were definitely a factor in Hooper losing. I mean, when he smashes every other competition (which he did, in almost every competition he just had to do 1 implement to avoid getting 0).
Or you could say that athletes like Tom Stoltman peak for the main event of the year - WSM - and he’s simply better than Hooper
Epic chat gents, please please make it a regular thing could listen to uou two for hours
Mitch did something really nice for me at OSG 2023 even though he was clearly a little sick at the time so I stay a Hooper fan.
Mad respect for both of these gentlemen
That was a really good conversation! Thank you for putting such great content