Reaching the pinnacle of strongman success requires more than brute strength — a good team, a knowledgeable coach, and a diet and training regime can fuel effective competition planning. Enter the “Mofo Body Mechanic,” Aaron Caseley, the new coach of three-time, reigning three-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman.
Stoltman and Caseley recently sat down for an interview in late December 2025 to discuss Caseley’s background, strategies, and Stoltman’s plans to compete in 2025.
Like Stoltman, Caseley used sports as an outlet in his youth. Caseley started weight training as a young teen and became a national cycling champion by age 15. An accident steered him from a cycling career toward a Physical Training Instructor position in the Air Force.
There, Caseley learned biomechanics and rehabilitation, applying his expertise during his tenure with pro cycling teams and racing crews in the Le Mans series. Later, he obtained a Master of Exercise Physiology and has since worked in clinical practice.
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New Coach, New Highs at Rogue
Caseley was introduced to Stoltman while helping a bodybuilder prepare for a competition. They began with an online consultation, during which Caseley diagnosed Stoltman’s injuries. Caseley took the coaching role to help Stoltman prep for the 2024 Rogue Strongman Invitational, where Stoltman tied for second place.
“It was a big risk,” Stoltman admitted, revamping his entire prep a month before the 2024 Rogue. It proved to be the right move. “Dan [Hipkiss] is a great strength coach, but he doesn’t have the background you have,” said Stoltman of his former coach. “Rogue was learning about you and how you need me to be; I’m there to fire you up or sit back,” Caseley asserted.
Breaking Old Habits
Stoltman’s transformation and Rogue’s success came through a holistic strategy and less taxing routines. Caseley aims to maximize muscle function and mobility. Nowadays, Stoltman does a mandatory 20-to-30 minute warm-up before lifting. “[Warming up] was massive. Not to mention, cold and hot treatments are available morning and night.
2025 Arnold Strongman Classic Game Plan
Stoltman defend his title at the 2025 Britain’s Strongest Man contest in early February to focus on the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) in March.
Regarding improvements, Stoltman knows he needs to get his deadlift above 1,000 pounds to be competitive, “It’s the biggest thing,” he proclaimed. Caseley notes that Stoltman’s short torso requires form adjustments for deadlifts.
“We’re going to play with bar position; we can get your knees further over the bar by setting the bar over your toe box, which will give more [leg drive],” Caseley explained, commenting on how stance is also key and specific to Stoltman.
Their current focus is hypertrophy, rehabbing Stolman’s injuries, and building mental strength. They’ll shift to a strength routine before contest prep begins.
“We’re going to get my first Arnold victory, aren’t we?” Stoltman said excitedly. “I’ve stopped the sweets,” he confessed. A bad habit he partly attributed to his seventh place finish at the 2024 Strongest Man on Earth contest.
As they prepare for a new season, Stoltman and Caseley aim to demonstrate that the road to strongman success is paved with adaptation, innovation, and trust.
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Featured image: @tomstoltmanofficial on Instagram
