Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

Ep. #419: Hafthor “The Mountain” Bjornsson on Life as the World’s Strongest Man


Listen Later

Hafthor Bjornsson is the strongest man in the world, and in this podcast, he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be him, a 6’9, 420-pound man who can squat, deadlift, and bench press over 2,500 pounds.

He’s also the 2018 champion of the World’s Strongest Man competition (and hopefully the 2019 champion by the time this episode goes live), which involves incredible feats like . . .

- Lifting five large stones ranging from 220 to 350 pounds onto columns the height of a man.

- Pulling gargantuan objects arm-over-arm using a rope, such as planes, boats, cars, and giant tires.

- Carrying a 900-pound yoke made of two refrigerators across a 30-meter course in under 60 seconds.

You probably already know this, but Hafthor also played Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in Game of Thrones (RIP), and in this interview, we talk about how he’s currently training to defend his World’s Strongest Man title, how he manages his recovery, what his diet looks like, what supplements he takes (Hint: Legion), his favorite Game of Thrones experiences, how he’s dealt with injuries, what his long-term aspirations are, and more!

As a genuine Hafthor fan, I had a hell of a good time talking to him, and I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did.

5:33 - How do you train in preparation for events?
7:53 - Do you try to achieve your PR at the gym or at events?
13:21 - What weakness have you been trying to address in your training?
14:49 - What do you do for hot and cold therapy?
19:50 - What are some of the big lessons you’ve learned?
21:52 - What is your diet?
24:53 - What’s your sleep hygiene like?
29:10 - Do you have a routine at night to help you relax?
36:30 - What is your supplement routine?
42:36 - What drives you?
51:23 - What was your favorite experience with playing The Mountain in Game of Thrones?
55:16 - How do you prepare your diet and training when traveling?
58:41 - Have you had any serious injuries?
1:03:28 - What are your long term goals?
1:07:31 - What’s new and exciting for you?

Want to get my best advice on how to gain muscle and strength and lose fat faster? Sign up for my free newsletter!

Click here: https://www.muscleforlife.com/signup/

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Muscle for Life with Mike MatthewsBy Mike Matthews

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

4,534 ratings


More shows like Muscle for Life with Mike Matthews

View all
Boundless Life by Ben Greenfield

Boundless Life

5,022 Listeners

Barbell Shrugged by Barbell Shrugged

Barbell Shrugged

2,596 Listeners

High Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel, MS by Author Mike Mutzel interviews Jeff Bland, Datis Kharrazian, Ben Greenfield, Abel James, Dave Asprey, Ben Lynch, Jade Teta and Corey chuler

High Intensity Health with Mike Mutzel, MS

1,224 Listeners

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth by Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, Doug Egge

Mind Pump: Raw Fitness Truth

11,812 Listeners

Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show by Joe DeFranco

Joe DeFranco's Industrial Strength Show

1,250 Listeners

The Revive Stronger Podcast by Revive Stronger

The Revive Stronger Podcast

341 Listeners

Choose Hard with Cody McBroom by Cody McBroom

Choose Hard with Cody McBroom

788 Listeners

Mark Bell's Power Project by Power Project Studios

Mark Bell's Power Project

1,563 Listeners

The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast by Next Level Coaching

The Next Level Health & Fitness Podcast

783 Listeners

Mind Over Macros by Mike Millner

Mind Over Macros

1,129 Listeners

RP Strength Podcast by Nick Shaw

RP Strength Podcast

543 Listeners

Where Optimal Meets Practical by Jordan Lips

Where Optimal Meets Practical

328 Listeners

Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters by Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert

Wits & Weights | Fat Loss, Nutrition, & Strength Training for Lifters

204 Listeners

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show by Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

1,140 Listeners

Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin by Scicomm Media

Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin

1,153 Listeners