Hafþór (Hafthor) began competing in strongman after an injury to his ankle ended his basketball career. In 2009, powerlifting star Benedikt Magnusson, saw Hafþór in the gym and encouraged him to compete in Iceland’s Strongest Viking which was being held the next day.
So, Hafþór called Magnus Ver Magnusson who was running the event and Magnus allowed him to enter despite the short notice. With no real training, Hafþór won one event and made an Icelandic record in stone carrying. An Icelandic record, it should be noted is not insignificant as Magnus Ver Magnusson was a four-time winner of the TWI World‘s Strongest Man Contest and Jon Pall Sigmarsson won the event four times. No other country has done so well. He currently holds the titles of Iceland’s Strongest Man and Europe’s Strongest Man.
Stephanie Sanzo
Power Lifter / Fitness Model
Stephanie Sanzo is an Australian fitness celebrity and a personal trainer, known among her fans as “Steph Fit Mum”.
As a young girl, Stephanie was never interested in the gym or physical exercise. However, after having two children, Stephanie gained over 25 kilograms, which made her feel insecure about her body. This led to her becoming a gym fanatic, and later, a personal trainer.
After 3 years of weight training, dieting, and many ups and downs, Steph transformed her once-overweight figure into a strong physique. She’s also became a successful personal trainer along the way.
Ben Smith
Games Athlete
In 2015, Ben Smith won the CrossFit Games. The title of Fittest Man on Earth was the fruit of seven years’ work: Smith has competed in every CrossFit Games since 2009, giving him the record of second most consecutive CrossFit Games appearances as of 2016. Across his eight-year CrossFit Games career, Smith has stood on the podium four times, taking third in 2011 and 2013, and second in 2016 in addition to his 2015 victory. With the exception of his debut appearance in 2009, he has never finished outside of the top 10. Smith owns CrossFit Krypton in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Games Athlete
Seven-year individual CrossFit Games veteran Camille Leblanc-Bazinet is one of CrossFit’s most enduring athletes. In 2014, she earned the title of Fittest Woman on Earth, and has finished in the top 10 in four out of her seven Games appearances, also winning five out of seven regional competitions. A former gymnast, Leblanc-Bazinet currently serves on the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff. She also has a degree in chemical engineering.
Brian Shaw
Strongman
Brian Shaw is an American professional strongman competitor and winner of the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 World’s Strongest Man competition. Shaw is the only American athlete to win World’s Strongest Man, America’s Strongest Man, and the Arnold Strongman. Standing at 6’8” and 420 pounds he is also one of the largest athletes around the world.
Tyler Beede
MLB Pitcher
American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft. Beede made his MLB debut in 2018.
Beede married his wife, actress Allie DeBerry, in November 2017.