At 16, Tom Stoltman hit rock bottom - emotionally drained from being bullied for his autism at school. He'd skipped meals to play Xbox all day, and his life was a blur of sweets and junk food. But it was an older brother who would change everything: Luke, a bodybuilder with a passion for strongman competitions.
Tom's eyes widened as he watched his brother lift massive weights, towing cars and logs around the gym. He was hooked from that moment on. With Luke's guidance, Tom transformed himself - ditching baggy hoodies for a more confident swagger, and trading snacks for protein-rich meals. Autism became his 'cheat code', allowing him to focus like never before.
Ten years on, Tom is 180kg, the same weight as a large lion. He eats five times a day to fuel training: eight boiled eggs with cheese and mayonnaise, spicy mince and rice - whatever it takes to power through workouts that leave others in awe.
Tom's success isn't just about physical strength; it's about mental toughness too. When he looks in the mirror, he sees someone who turned a perceived weakness into superpower. He can deadlift 350kg for 12 reps, run holding a 200kg atlas stone, and pull two monster trucks - a world away from that lost kid asking 'Why am I different?'
Tom's eyes widened as he watched his brother lift massive weights, towing cars and logs around the gym. He was hooked from that moment on. With Luke's guidance, Tom transformed himself - ditching baggy hoodies for a more confident swagger, and trading snacks for protein-rich meals. Autism became his 'cheat code', allowing him to focus like never before.
Ten years on, Tom is 180kg, the same weight as a large lion. He eats five times a day to fuel training: eight boiled eggs with cheese and mayonnaise, spicy mince and rice - whatever it takes to power through workouts that leave others in awe.
Tom's success isn't just about physical strength; it's about mental toughness too. When he looks in the mirror, he sees someone who turned a perceived weakness into superpower. He can deadlift 350kg for 12 reps, run holding a 200kg atlas stone, and pull two monster trucks - a world away from that lost kid asking 'Why am I different?'
Autism used to be like his biggest downer, but now it's his secret sauce 
! The way he turned all those negative feelings into fuel for success is EVERYTHING 
He's proof that with the right mindset and support, you can overcome ANY obstacle 
And 12 reps of 350kg deadlift? 
like seriously who does that to someone?! but its so inspiring to see him turn it all around & find strength in his autism 
. 180kg is insane for a guy who used to skip meals, but what's even more impressive is how mental toughness has helped him push through challenges and turn them into opportunities for growth 
. Don't get me wrong, the guy's achieved some insane strength feats, but I'd love to see him talk more about how he maintains that mental toughness without sacrificing his overall well-being 
And now look at him - massive dude, eating like a champion 
. It's crazy how autism actually ended up being the key to his success... I guess it's about embracing what makes you different instead of trying to fit in 
. Anyway, I'm loving this story and the transformation is truly inspiring 
Autism acceptance is super important, especially when it comes to mental health 
His transformation is like a total #BodyPositivity movement, where he's rocking his weight and loving himself just the way he is 
! I mean, can you believe he went from being emotionally drained to becoming a strongman powerhouse? It's like he found his superpower in embracing his autism. And dude, 180kg of pure muscle 
... it's crazy how far people can come with the right support. Luke's got to be a total legend for turning his bro around like that 
!
.
. It's crazy how something like that can affect someone's mental health so much. I think it's awesome that his brother Luke stepped up and helped him find a new path, though 
On a more serious note, I love how he's turned his 'cheat code' into a superpower 
Tom's story is so inspiring 
, showing him that autism isn't a weakness 
. Tom's transformation is mind-blowing 
. He's proof that with the right mindset and support 
. We need more stories like this! 
.
. Tom's story is a reminder that our differences can be our greatest strengths 
. but kudos to his big bro luke for stepping in and changing everything around him 
. mental toughness is just as important as physical strength, and this guy's got both in spades 
. But instead of letting that bring him down, he found a way to turn it into something positive. His "cheat code" became his strength, and now look at him - 180kg and crushing it in the strongman world