The Road to the 2025 Rogue invitational

The bags are packed, the cameras are charged, and the adrenaline is already kicking in. Nicole and I are officially gearing up to head across the Atlantic for the 2025 Rogue Invitational in Aberdeen, Scotland — one of the most anticipated strength-and-fitness showdowns on the planet.

This will be our first international Rogue coverage for Xtreme Lyfe Media, and we couldn’t be more fired up. From the airport hustle to the roar of the crowd at P&J Live Arena, we’ll be bringing you daily updates, behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, and real-time highlights from both the Strongman and CrossFit arenas.

We’ll capture everything — from the athletes’ mental prep in the warm-up zone to those raw, unfiltered reactions when a world record falls. Expect quick-hit social posts, photo drops, and nightly recaps straight from Scotland.

What We’re Most Excited For

  1. The Heavyweight Clash — Hooper vs. The Mountain
    This isn’t just another matchup; it’s the rematch everyone’s been waiting for. Mitchell Hooper versus Hafþór Björnsson is pure storytelling — the calm, methodical champion facing the mythic legend making his comeback.

  2. Home-Soil Energy
    With Tom Stoltman competing in front of his home crowd, the atmosphere will be electric. Scottish fans don’t cheer — they roar.

  3. CrossFit Chaos
    The Rogue CrossFit field is deeper than ever. With Jeff Adler, Jayson Hopper, Laura Horvath, and Paige Powers in the mix, every event could swing the leaderboard.

  4. The Setting
    There’s something poetic about this year’s competition being held in Scotland — the birthplace of the Highland Games, where modern strongman traces its roots. Strength has come home.

The Clash: Hooper’s Ascent

Mitchell Hooper has quickly become the standard of modern strongman excellence. In 2024, he defended his Rogue Invitational title, finishing ahead of Björnsson and Tom Stoltman, who tied for second. Add his third straight Arnold Strongman Classic crown, and you get a streak few can touch.

What sets Hooper apart isn’t just brute force — it’s balance. His consistency across presses, carries, and medleys makes him the sport’s most complete athlete. When others gamble, he calculates.

The Return of The Mountain

After a long hiatus, Hafþór “The Mountain” Björnsson is back — and the sport feels bigger for it. A former World’s Strongest Man and global icon, Hafþór’s presence commands attention.

At Rogue 2024, he showed flashes of his old dominance — especially in the Elephant Bar Deadlift — but couldn’t match Hooper’s event-to-event precision. Now, a year later, the question looms:
Can Hooper withstand a re-forged Mountain? Or will Björnsson’s legendary power reclaim its throne?

Other Key Contenders

  • Tom Stoltman (Scotland) – Competing at home with crowd energy at his back, Stoltman thrives on stones, medleys, and emotional momentum.

  • Evan Singleton – A powerhouse in overhead lifts who can explode up the leaderboard when events favor him.

  • Thomas Evans – Quietly strong, especially in static-strength and deadlift events.

  • Lucas Hatton & Austin Andrade – Newcomers who could turn heads if they stay consistent across the weekend.

The CrossFit Battlefield

While the strongmen fight for dominance, the CrossFit athletes will battle across one of the deepest Rogue fields ever assembled.

Men to Watch

  • Jeff Adler – 2024 Rogue champion and master of composure.

  • Jayson Hopper – Explosive and dangerous when workouts go heavy.

  • Chandler Smith – Combines power with precision.

  • Noah Ohlsen & Gui Malheiros – Veterans who capitalize on chaos.

  • Justin Medeiros & Roman Khrennikov – Proven champions under pressure.

  • Depth everywhere: Hopper, Pepper, Vellner, Garard — all capable of shaking up the podium.

Women to Watch

  • Laura Horvath – Championship DNA and unmatched grit.

  • Brooke Wells, Dana Speegle, Olivia Kerstetter – Ready to dominate the heavy events.

  • Maddie Sturt, Alex Gazan, Paige Semenza – Excel in chippers and classic metcons.

  • Elisa Fuliano & Paige Powers (Q) – Qualifier standouts with real podium potential.

Why 2025 Matters More Than Ever

  1. The Rivalry — Hooper vs. Björnsson delivers the must-watch showdown the sport’s been craving.

  2. Qualifier Drama — Only two spots per division raise the stakes from the very first event.

  3. Depth & Diversity — Veterans, rookies, and legends collide across both strongman and CrossFit divisions.

  4. Scotland’s Roots — A return to strength’s birthplace adds a layer of tradition and emotion.

  5. Rogue’s Prestige — Once again proving why it’s the marquee event outside the CrossFit Games.

Predictions & What to Watch

  • Hooper vs. Björnsson – If Hooper maintains consistency, he edges out The Mountain. But if Hafþór dominates stones and deadlifts, brace for a seismic comeback.

  • Stoltman Surge – Home-crowd advantage could push Tom into contention.

  • CrossFit Chaos – Expect a nail-biter finish among the top five.

  • Qualifier Surprises – Elisa Fuliano, Paige Powers, and Uldis Upenieks could steal the spotlight.

  • Crossover Moments – Strongman energy bleeding into CrossFit events (and vice versa) will make for unforgettable visuals.

The Final Word

This trip to Scotland isn’t just another media assignment for us — it’s a journey into the heart of strength culture. From the clang of atlas stones to the roar of the Rogue crowd, we’ll be there for every lift, every grind, every triumph.

Follow @XtremeLyfeMedia on Instagram, Threads, and YouTube for daily updates, behind-the-scenes clips, and our exclusive “Rogue 2025 — The Scotland Sessions” coverage dropping all week long.

Let the clash begin.