Champion Strongman & Author
Rob Kearney is a champion professional strongman, author and LGBTQ+ advocate whose career has challenged traditional ideas about strength and identity. Known to fans as the “World’s Strongest Gay,” Kearney has combined elite athletic achievement with a message about authenticity, inclusion and having the confidence to succeed as yourself.
Kearney earned his professional strongman status by winning the 2013 Strongman Corporation Amateur National Championship. He went on to compete internationally, winning the 2017 Giants Live North American Open and the 2019 Arnold Australia competition. An exceptional overhead lifter, Kearney became a two-time American log-lift record holder and pressed 475.75 pounds in 2020. He was also named the 2020 Official Strongman Games Pound-for-Pound Strongest Man.
After publicly coming out in 2014, Kearney became the first openly gay professional strongman and an influential voice for LGBTQ+ representation in sports. He is the co-author of Strong, a Stonewall Honor-winning children’s picture book that draws upon his experiences to show young readers that strength can take many forms. His story encompasses elite competition, significant injuries, cancer and the importance of living authentically.
Kearney brings energy, humor and genuine openness to corporate programs, schools, conferences, athletic organizations and inclusion-focused events. His ability to connect physical strength with resilience, representation and self-acceptance makes him a memorable speaker and partner for organizations seeking an inspiring story with a meaningful and highly relevant message.