An Unexpected Journey
Welcome to My Journey
Hi everyone, I’m Anthony Furman. Whether you’ve been following me since my strongman days, discovered me on Titan Games (The Rock’s show), Clash on the Coast, through my mental health advocacy, or on Bodybuilding.com—whatever the route, I’m glad you stopped by. Here, I share my thoughts, experiences, and education as I navigate today’s realities and the big ideas being debated.
A Bit About Me
I’m not here to bore you with a long life story—plenty of people do that. I know sharing a bit about my background gives me some credibility, but I believe credibility is earned by delivering factual, relevant information and sticking to your word. That said, here’s a snapshot:
I grew up in a trailer in Erie, PA, like many Americans, with a simple goal: to build a better future for myself and my children. The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on me, instilling a deep-seated need to do what’s right. At the time, that meant fighting against the tide of fascism and dictatorship. So, I did what I had to do—I joined the U.S. Army and served as an infantryman, with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Those experiences taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of integrity.
After my military service, I looked for my next challenge. I had my share of setbacks—knee surgeries from my time in the army, for example—but I was determined to push forward. One day, Mark Taysom had me lift a stone, and the rest is history. I went on to compete as a two-time World’s Strongest Man under 105kg (2018-2019), took on the Arnold Pro Circuit, and appeared on Clash on the Coast on ESPN and Titan Games ( check it out https://youtu.be/Cm5jVliHMTg?si=6TV5cQj8IaLdIWnR) . These experiences not only pushed me physically and mentally, but also deepened my understanding of human performance.
Along the way, I also built solid clinical experience as an athletic training student, working with Division 1 lacrosse, women’s soccer, and high school sports teams. This hands-on work showed me the real challenges athletes face—from injury prevention to recovery. It also allowed me to blend my inherent skills and strength conditioning expertise with my new education. I’ve learned that human physiology is all about patterns—until it isn’t—and recognizing those patterns is key in both rehab and performance training. Believe me, I know the hard way: I’ve had a total knee replacement, torn my bicep, dealt with spondylosis, herniated discs, arthritic elbows, and even chopped off my own toe! I pushed my body to its limits and learned lessons that now shape my approach to smart, holistic strength conditioning.
Now, I’m almost finished with my master’s in athletic training (I already have a master’s in sports administration), and I’m excited to blend my on-field experiences with academic insights to help others.
Checkpoint: Prepare for rambling
I was diagnosed with severe ADHD later in life, which means my thoughts can jump around a lot. Instead of fighting it, I’m learning to use that energy to share ideas as they come. I rely on voice-to-text to keep things natural, so you might notice a few shifts in topic—that’s just how my brain works. I’m not here to serve up polished, one-size-fits-all advice. Instead, I aim to have honest conversations about fitness, rehab, and everything in between. I hope you’ll jump in, share your thoughts, or just hang out and read along.
Why do I care?
I care deeply about doing things the right way in the fitness and rehab space—a message that might be polarizing, but it’s how I feel. Too often, quick fixes and overpriced services are peddled without truly helping anyone. I believe in upholding ethics and morals; if you’re in this field, you’re here to help others, not just chase the almighty dollar. I’ve seen too many people get ripped off, and I’m not about that. With over 20 years in physical fitness and solid clinical experience, I’m here to share what I’ve learned and help you cut through the misinformation.
What Can You Expect Here
This blog isn’t a perfectly organized course—it’s more like an ongoing conversation. Here’s what you’ll find:
A mix of nerdy insights and practical advice: I’ll share everything from research-based tips to personal stories.
Humor and real talk: Expect analogies, a bit of humor, and plenty of honest conversation.
Free education: Yes, I do have an app called Strengthlete that I own and offer for training, but this blog isn’t about selling you anything. It’s about providing you with valuable, free information.
Transparency: I believe in doing good for people. I’m upfront about my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned, and I’m here to help you make informed decisions about your health and performance.
Thanks for joining me on this journey. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and build a community where we can all learn, grow, and push ourselves to be better—together.
— Anthony Furman CSCS, PES
