One of the strongest men in the world calls Barrie home, and when he isn’t out testing his strength on the international stage, he is helping people in town exercise and improve their health.
Mitchell Hooper, who owns a fitness centre in downtown Barrie, played football at Eastview Secondary School and for the Huronia Stallions; he also played minor hockey in Barrie.
But in recent years, he's turned his attention to feats of strength.
Hooper was born and raised in Barrie and despite living Down Under for four years, came back home to start up his business, Longevity Nexum, located on Dunlop Street.
“I lived in Australia for four years before coming home. I lived 10 minutes away from Sydney Opera House and I can honestly say there are many elements to Barrie that I prefer to that,” said Hooper. “The pace of life here is really nice, the closeness to Toronto and Muskoka is huge for me. I just love my home city.”
His journey to Australia was to get his masters in exercise and physiology which helps those looking to exercise who have injuries and chronic conditions.
“Largely that stems from my family needing that help, so it made me want to learn it,” said Hooper.
The Moose, as he is nicknamed, journeyed onto the Strongman circuit in 2021 after dead-lifting 475 kilograms while having a body weight under 140 kilograms.
“I have been doing it professionally for six months and came eighth in the World’s Strongest Man event earlier this year. I podiumed in my next six competitions and just this past weekend I was in Texas for the biggest competition of the year and placed third,” said Hooper.
“I am definitely one of the top three strongmen in the world at the moment," he said with pride.
His sporting background includes marathon running, bodybuilding, NFL, golf and swimming.
When asked why the Strongman competitions are so popular, he pointed out the finality of the winner.
“I believe the two titles that really matter are the fastest man in the world and the strongest man in the world. There are no stipulations to them; it's just the winner is the winner," said Hooper.
The 27-year-old said while he hopes to go national with his unique business, serving his hometown with what he knows is what he loves right now.
“I love being home and having the career I do which also allows me to travel and participate in a great sport," said Hooper. "Mixing the two, I feel, is a professional obligation. If I’m asking people to exercise in different ways then I feel I should experience what I’m asking them to do.”
In March he will be competing at the Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio and in May, Hooper will test his strength at the World’s Strongest Man event in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
