The 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) contest in Sacramento, CA, is set for May 24-29, 2022. Thirty of the sport’s elite will face off in a Qualifying stage and Final to determine a champion.
Reigning WSM champion Tom Stoltman and his brother, 2021 Europe’s Strongest Man (ESM) Luke Stoltman, took to their shared YouTube channel on May 11, 2022, to share what a full day of eating for them looks like two weeks out from their biggest contest of the year. Check it out below:
[Related: Peiman Maheripourehir Withdraws from 2022 World’s Strongest Man; Manuel Angulo to Replace Him]
The video opens with the Stoltman Brothers, including their younger brother Harry who weighs 131 kilograms, receiving a plate holding a dozen thick half-slices of toast on a bed of butter. It was the hor d’oeuvres of their breakfast, which consisted of the following:
Breakfast
Tom’s breakfast was:
Luke’s breakfast was:
- Six eggs
- Two hash browns
- Two slices of bacon
- Toast with butter
- Mushrooms
Harry’s breakfast was:
- Six eggs
- Two slices of bacon
- Toast with butter
Following their breakfast, meal two consisted of snacks to get in a decent number of calories. It was two Nature Valley bars, yogurt, and grapes for Luke. Tom took down a protein shake with three scoops of whey, grapes, and two Nature Valley bars himself. Harry followed suit on the protein shake, except with one less scoop of whey, and two snack bars.
Pre-Workout Meal
Meal number three for Luke was not what one might expect from a world-class athlete but is par for the course in the weeks leading up to a major strongman contest. He ate a burger with fries and a coke and two eclairs for dessert. Harry’s meal was identical, but he eschewed the eclairs and had a chicken burger rather than beef.
We’re allowed to have a high-calorie meal before we train.
This particular training day was a heavy one with a focus on behind-the-neck presses to prepare for the return of the Flintstone Barbell event at the 2022 WSM. Tom’s meal of a cheeseburger with fries and a sprite rounded out the trio’s cheat meal before hitting the gym.
After some heavy shoulder training, including big behind-the-neck singles and accessory work, the Stoltman bros hit up a post-workout meal.
View this post on Instagram
[Related: Strongman Robert Oberst Pushes and Drags a 400-Pound Sled for One Mile]
Post Workout Meal & Dinner
Harry’s post-workout was another protein shake with two scoops of whey, a banana, and two Belvita bars. He finishes his day of eating with beef chili over rice with olives and tortilla chips. After missing his afternoon snack, Tom’s dinner consists of chicken curry with mushrooms and rice. Luke had two ribeye steaks (495 grams each), mashed potatoes, and veggies. He finished his evening with a protein shake and yogurt.
2022 World’s Strongest Man
There isn’t such thing as too much when it comes to getting in calories leading up to an elite strongman contest. The Stoltmans were less concerned about the kind of food they ate or whether or not it was considered “healthy” and prioritized total calories overall and how it affected their digestion.
Each Stoltman was particular with the amount of water they put in their protein shakes, which affects how it “sits in their stomachs.” They were content to have food that most athletes wouldn’t touch (sugary soda, pastries, high-sugar snack bars). It is a diet that’s proven effective for them as Tom is the reigning WSM looking to make his first title defense in Sacramento. Although Luke finished seventh overall at the 2021 WSM contest, he was in contention for the podium heading into that competition’s final event.
We’ll see if the Stoltmans can share yet another podium finish together on the sport’s grandest stage and if Tom will be the first strongman to win back-to-back WSM titles since four-time WSM champion Brian Shaw did so in 2015 and 2016.
Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram
