How a British mechanic became the first human to deadlift half a tonne
In short: Eddie Hall redefined the limits of human strength by becoming the first person to deadlift 500 kilograms. The 2017 World's Strongest Man winner transitioned from a career as a mechanic to global fame, later testing his physical limits in boxing, mixed martial arts, and various reality television challenges.
Born in 1988 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Eddie Hall began his athletic journey as a competitive swimmer before transitioning into strongman competitions. After completing an apprenticeship as a technician, he worked as a mechanic until 2016. His breakthrough in the sport came in 2010 when he won England's Strongest Man, eventually leading to his 2017 World's Strongest Man title. His career is marked by extreme feats, including a 500 kg deadlift in 2016, a record that caused him to bleed from his ears and nostrils and briefly lose his vision.
Hall's career has not been without controversy or transition. His 2017 World's Strongest Man victory was later questioned following public leaks of private conversations suggesting the event might have been rigged. Since retiring from professional strongman competition in 2018 due to health concerns, Hall has pivoted toward combat sports and media. He faced Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson in a high-profile 2022 boxing match, which he lost by unanimous decision, and later debuted in mixed martial arts in 2024 and 2025, securing a TKO victory against Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Beyond the arena, Hall has maintained a significant public presence through television appearances and digital media. He has featured in documentaries, reality shows like 'inSIDE', and launched his own podcast, 'The Good, the Bad and The Beast'. Hall has also claimed to possess the 'Hercules gene,' which he suggests aids his ability to build muscle mass beyond that of an average person. His ongoing evolution from a regional strongman to a multifaceted media personality reflects a career defined by both immense physical output and a constant search for new competitive outlets.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Eddie Hall
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