Like most children, I loved Christmas time, but it wasn't just the holiday festivities that captured my attention. Christmas also meant the return of Strongman. Growing up without YouTube, the only way I could get the Strongman fix I so craved was to wait until Christmas, when World's Strongest Man would be on TV for a few precious days.

It wasn't just the incredible feats that amazed me, it was also where they found these monsters.

Even in today's increasingly transparent world there remains a mystery behind the selection process. Unlike boxing, there is no official ranking system for promoters to go off nor does there seem on the surface seem to be a well-trod path that an aspiring strongman could follow. To get to the bottom of this, we reached out to Luke Herrick, who will be making his Giants Live debut next month in Sweden.

Stay tuned to FloElite for LIVE-streaming of Giants Live in Norrköping, Sweden, on Saturday, November 12.


Hi Luke, thank you so much for finding the time for this. Your debut and Giants Live Sweden is just round the corner. How has your training been going for this competition?

Training is going well. I've only just learned of the events this last week. Right now, I'm working to ensure that I am able to test all of the implements out and become somewhat comfortable with them all and develop the techniques I'll need.

With this being your first Giants Live competition and World's Strongest Man qualifier, have you changed up your training or is it just business as usual?

For the most part, it's just business as usual, following what's worked before.

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Strongman isn't exactly your typical sport. How did you first get into it?

I have always been an athlete and grew up in the gym. I found that I missed the challenge of competing and decided to pursue Strongman.

You said you were already an athlete. What was it that you were competing in?

I played football before Strongman at the collegiate level, a JOCO All-American. After college though, I knew I was done with the sport of football.

That first competition is always a big step up from just training. How did your first comp go?

My first Strongman competition was in Texas, and I completely bombed. I was not properly prepared and had decided to give it a try just a week before the contest. It was there that I knew I wanted to commit and truly learn the sport. My second contest, Texas Strongest Man, hosted by Jill Mills just two months later, went much better. I took first place and fueled my passion for the sport.

Places at Giants Live are like gold dust. How did you qualify for Sweden?

I qualified this past June at the Giants Live qualifier in Indiana. I did not perform to my best standard in Indiana; many factors, including grueling heat and shifting platforms, contributed to me missing easy lifts and presses. I injured my back on the deadlift and considered walking away. I learned that I was a top-three contender and committed to finishing the job that I came to do -- secure my invitation to OSM.

Will this be your first international competition?

I have competed at the international level before at the Arnold Amateurs in Ohio where I came fifth, but this will be my first time to travel internationally to compete.

Thank you again Luke for taking the time to talk to us and best of Luck.

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to the experience and visiting the beautiful country of Sweden!

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You can watch Luke battle it out against some of the strongest men in the world, live on November 12 only on FloElite!




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