Callan Swadling

Biography

Callan Swadling Strongman

Born on 17th August 1990 in Chichester, Callan Swadling is a strongman athlete with an inspiring journey from bodybuilding to the competitive strongman scene. Standing at 5’9” and weighing 120kg, Callan has been involved in strength sports since 2018, inspired by a long-standing passion for the discipline and the thrill of competition.

Watching strongman competitions sparked his interest, leading him to try it himself. He began with basic strongman movements, quickly finding a true passion for the sport. His competitive journey began in 2018 at Lancing’s Strongest Man, hosted by South Coast Gym, where, despite minimal training for strongman, he placed 3rd. Determined to improve, he returned the following two years and secured first place each time.

Since then, Callan has gone on to compete in prestigious events like England’s Strongest Man and Britain’s Strongest Man, with his goal firmly set on reaching the podium at a national level. Among his career highlights are winning his first ever competition, hitting monumental lifts such as a 345kg deadlift, 310kg squat, 161kg log press, and a 250kg bench press—and qualifying for England’s Strongest Man.

Unfortunately, in 2022, Callan encountered a significant setback during a competition on September 18th, suffering a full distal bicep tendon rupture while deadlifting. Defying the odds, he made a remarkably fast recovery, returning to his training and competitions with renewed vigour.

Known for his structured approach, Callan trains four days a week focusing on strength with a regimen that includes push, pull, legs, and event training. His favourite strongman events are the deadlift and pressing events, while he finds the duck walk particularly challenging due to the implement’s awkward nature for his height.

Callan’s commitment to the sport is further fuelled by his dedication to mental health, the camaraderie of the strongman community, and the personal discipline the sport demands.