The speaker, Eddie Hall, recounts his journey to becoming the world's strongest man and the first person to deadlift 500 kilograms (half a ton). He reveals that his motivation was financial, as he needed money to support his family and fund his training. Hall hired a team of experts, including a psychiatrist, hypnotherapist, and nutritionists, to help him achieve his goal.
To prepare himself mentally, Hall would visualize a dark and gloomy scenario where he had to lift a weight to save his children. He would also stare at himself in the mirror, focusing on his eyes and envisioning the lift. On the day of the record attempt, Hall's team helped him get into a state of intense focus, and he successfully lifted the 500 kilograms.
However, the lift took a significant toll on Hall's body, causing him to lose consciousness, experience a brain bleed, and suffer from concussion-like symptoms. He recovered within two weeks but notes that the experience was mentally and physically exhausting.
Hall challenges others to attempt to break his record, stating that he believes there are people who can lift 500 kilograms, but doubts they have the mental toughness to push themselves to the same level as he did. He also expresses his gratitude to his fans for their support, which has enabled him to pursue various opportunities, including TV shows and a film role.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker is a strongman who achieved a world record deadlift of 500 kilos.
2. The speaker's goal was to become the World's Strongest Man.
3. The speaker spent £800 per week on himself to achieve his goal, excluding mortgage, bills, and other expenses.
4. The speaker had a team of experts, including doctors, psychiatrists, hypnotherapists, physios, coaches, and nutritionists, to help him achieve his goal.
5. The speaker used visualization techniques and mental preparation to achieve his goal.
6. The speaker's training involved intense physical and mental preparation, including staring at himself in the mirror and visualizing himself in a life-or-death situation.
7. The speaker's deadlift attempt was successful, but he suffered a brain bleed and concussion as a result.
8. The speaker's heart rate and blood pressure were extremely high after the attempt, and he was unable to drive his car the next day due to mental exhaustion.
9. The speaker recovered from his injuries within two weeks.
10. The speaker believes that no one has been able to replicate his deadlift achievement, and he challenges others to attempt it.
11. The speaker has retired from strongman competitions but continues to work in the industry, presenting TV shows and doing public appearances.
12. The speaker has reached 400,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel and thanks his fans for their support.
13. The speaker is working on a film and a documentary, and has gone into business with Arnold Schwarzenegger.
14. The speaker is unsure if he made the right decision to retire from strongman competitions but is grateful for the opportunities that have opened up since then.