I was not meant to be the world’s strongest man, but autism became my super power

Because of his own recognition, Tom Stoltman was never intended as the world’s strongest man.

Stoltman, 30, is one of the biggest names in the Stronger Scene and the most decorated Brit in the history of sport – earning the title of the world’s strongest man in three of the last four years.

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But Lifter, born in Geldorgordon, had not always been to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

In fact, if it had not been a push by his mother and the help of his brother, he may never have even participated.

Stoltman is open about closing the outside world in his youth while he fought with his moisture autism Diagnosis and claimed not to have future and no goals.

But thanks to his family – and the gym – he was able to turn his autism into his super power and the The world’s strongest man.

Growing up with autism

Stoltman was diagnosed with autism when he was only five years old and discovered that he had been written off at a young age because of his diagnosis.

He told the Guardian: “My teachers said you are not going to do anything with your life.

“I was bullied … I couldn’t go to sleep at a friend’s house. I couldn’t go on a train at 10 minutes from my house. I should always have my mother everywhere.”

Stoltman was isolated and spent every day alone in his room and felt that he had no future and had no goals in sight.

I locked myself in my house was like: ‘Right, I’m going there [the social care system] Or I will just commit suicide. ‘

Tom StoltmanThe guardian

And that feeling of being cut off from the rest of society, Stoltman had considered the worst.

He added: “I was really, a bit, discouraged that I had autism … I had something like” why is I who has it and not my brothers and sisters? “

‘I stopped my football Team because all my friends had left and I had not gone anywhere.

“I locked myself in my house was like: ‘Right, I’m going there [the social care system] Or I will just commit suicide. ” ‘

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‘The gym saved my life’

There is no way to know for sure which path Stoltman would have gone if he had continued to insulate himself, but luckily he thought something that helped change his life.

Thanks to a push from his mother and the support of Older brother LukeStoltman succeeded in getting back onwards and finding a passion that helped him make his autism his super power.

Luke – who is also a strong man – went to the gym at the time and took his younger brother to help him get out of the house.

He said earlier, “If I hadn’t said that day, if Luke hadn’t taken me under his wings, I wouldn’t have won the strongest man in the world, but three times alone. The gym saved my life.”

Stoltman suddenly had something to focus on and his big brother by his side while he did.

Although the first sessions were difficult with loud sounds, mirrors and new faces, Stoltman soon discovered that he could not stay away.

He added: “One session turned into two, and before I knew it, I was addicted.

“My autism became my super power, I was able to focus 100 percent in my new hobby.

“Training gave me something to focus on and Luke stood by my side and supported me every step of the road, so I never allowed.”

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Strongman -ambitions

In the first instance, the gym was only a hobby for Stoltman, a way to channel his autism to improve his health and to keep him in good condition.

But that all changed when he saw Luke compete ScotlandThe strongest man.

Stoltman was impressed by how his brother was wearing huge stones and wore cars and knew immediately that he wanted to do the same.

He started his training routine, his diet and his request and by the age of 18 he won his first title – Highlands Strongest Man.

Shortly thereafter everything started to snow balls and Stoltman earned a reputation within the sport.

Hardly from school, the 6ft 8in-man mountain began to compete in the strongest man in Scotland and the strongest man in Great Britain.

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The strongest man in the world

Stoltman only got better and better, and that boy who could not get out of his own bedroom earlier was quickly crowned the strongest man in the world.

At the age of 27, Stoltman won the 2021 edition of the Sacramento competition -and only became the second Brit who did this in the 21st century.

But it was not only that he had managed an impressive achievement when it mattered the most, Stoltman had dominated the sport.

In the years that followed, Stoltman became a triple Britain’s strongest winner of the man and earned a successive WSM title in the 2022 competition -which made more history as the first Brit to keep the title.

Stoltman – nicknamed the Albatros for his incredible span – had admitted that he was more interested in football than Strongman as a child, but years later and he had etched his name in the Metaphorical Hall of Fame of the sport.

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Live the dream

Stoltman continued his dominance when he bounced back from a 2nd place in the WSM competition 2023 to win his third title in 2024.

But it was not just about competing on the big stage, Stoltman started building a empire next to his reputation.

The SCOT now has almost 300,000 YouTube Subscribers on a channel he shares with his brother, while he only has half a million followers Instagram page.

That helped him make a clothing line that you have probably seen that you are worn by someone in your local gym.

While Stoltman has been able to earn incredible opportunities, including the life of his dream of playing football Wembley.

The Scot represented the rest of the world team in 2022 Football help Match, plays in goal and saving three penalties during the shootout.

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Not ready yet

It sounds like a fairy -tale end to an incredible story, but in just 30 years old, Stoltman is ready to win even more titles and to go in history as one of the best strong men ever.

He returns to Sacramento to participate in the strongest man of his eighth world competition this weekHoping to add a fourth title in five years.

His 10,000 calorie per day diet and his wealth of experience will help him to feed to success, because he remains one of the favorites to win a historic fourth title.

Brother Luke, 40, also participates, with the top 10 of the past four years in a row.

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