Jaz Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Okay, so ive never met the guy.....or talked to him. But he just seems like the kind of guy you could see mowing the lawn next door (no offense intended). IM always interested in people like that, who look relatively normal but can exert huge amounts of strength. I understand how people can look relatively small but be really strong. Is he a big guy? Anyone have any stats? Has he just trained a really long time or does he have wicked genes, or both? Ive definately got alot of respect for him, he can do pretty much all the stunts other strongmen can do (and better), and yet he still posts on here from time to time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wscorpion Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Okay, so ive never met the guy.....or talked to him. But he just seems like the kind of guy you could see mowing the lawn next door (no offense intended). IM always interested in people like that, who look relatively normal but can exert huge amounts of strength. I understand how people can look relatively small but be really strong. Is he a big guy? Anyone have any stats? Has he just trained a really long time or does he have wicked genes, or both? Ive definately got alot of respect for him, he can do pretty much all the stunts other strongmen can do (and better), and yet he still posts on here from time to time. So once you get strong enough, you shouldn't post here anymore? I've never met Tommy either, so can't tell you any details, but I'm sure people here will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knyaz Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 hes 5 10 I think and around 170 from the MILO description pretty normal and insanely strong!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 He has a youtube account (gripper42004), so you can see for yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuc Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Isn't it 'gripper32001'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 (edited) Isn't it 'gripper32001'? Whoops, yeah, got it messed up with his GB username Thanks Edited June 14, 2008 by Magnus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I had seen a few of Tommy's videos and had seen his name referenced, but I had never made the connection that they were the same person. He's not huge, but he looks strong. He's way stronger than he looks, even. I would like to see him nail a shoe to a board, but use his mouth instead of his hand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Tommy is human - sort of ! I remember the first time I ever met him at the first GGC I went to. He looks like a kind of normal built 170# guy except he stole the forearms off some 220 pounder. He's one strong son of a gun, certainly stronger than he appears. And it's not just his grip - he's that strong all over. But I think we all have a chance against him right now - with those new twins - he has to be getting tired . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knyaz Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 thats true hes got some freaky forearms for his size, sort of a popeye look ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gumpster Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I like to think he's what your average grip enthusiast strives to achieve. He's not a huge guy by any measure (height/weight/hand size) but he has somehow been able to accomplish things thought of being nearly impossible. Genetic gift or just good old-fashioned hard training?...who knows. He's a great all-around grip guy if you look at the performances he put on when he was competing - really good at grippers, pinch, sledge levering, bending. I still haven't seen anyone else crush potatoes as dominantly, rip a deck of cards as fast, or no-set a BBSE. Maybe Tommy will chime in here and give us his secret (probably just hard training). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I like to think he's what your average grip enthusiast strives to achieve. He's not a huge guy by any measure (height/weight/hand size) but he has somehow been able to accomplish things thought of being nearly impossible. Genetic gift or just good old-fashioned hard training?...who knows. He's a great all-around grip guy if you look at the performances he put on when he was competing - really good at grippers, pinch, sledge levering, bending. I still haven't seen anyone else crush potatoes as dominantly, rip a deck of cards as fast, or no-set a BBSE. Maybe Tommy will chime in here and give us his secret (probably just hard training). I just sent Tommy an email through his website. I told him there was talk about him at the moment on the Gripboard and was wondering if he would, as Gumpster said, "chime in here and give us his secrets". So we will see what happens..... He is pretty amazing with his feats that is for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I like to think he's what your average grip enthusiast strives to achieve. He's not a huge guy by any measure (height/weight/hand size) but he has somehow been able to accomplish things thought of being nearly impossible. Genetic gift or just good old-fashioned hard training?...who knows. He's a great all-around grip guy if you look at the performances he put on when he was competing - really good at grippers, pinch, sledge levering, bending. I still haven't seen anyone else crush potatoes as dominantly, rip a deck of cards as fast, or no-set a BBSE. Maybe Tommy will chime in here and give us his secret (probably just hard training). I just sent Tommy an email through his website. I told him there was talk about him at the moment on the Gripboard and was wondering if he would, as Gumpster said, "chime in here and give us his secrets". So we will see what happens..... He is pretty amazing with his feats that is for sure! update: My email to him failed. Maybe he changed his address. Anyway it was worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizen Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 He is one of the best grip athletes, very humble and can do just about everything. Most strongmen you see are pretty big guys, most well over 200lbs. Chad, David horne, clay, dave morton, jedd, tex, aaron ext. All of those guys are big dudes-some freaky big like tex, clay-, tom is inspiration to the little guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMERHEAD Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Tommy is a great guy and I'm proud to call him my friend. He's super strong and pretty humble. I'd expect to see less of him here for a while since he just had his twins. -Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Styles Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Man, only on a lifting forum is 5' 10" and 170lbs considered one of the little guys. Tommy is extremely strong. He's also been training hard for a long time. I think that might be the secret to his strength. I still remember when he first joined the board - Bill kept locking all of his posts. He kept posting one world class feat after another. It was awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dthor Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 The first time I met Tommy, he was giving me advice and I was competing against him. Very good guy. I think Tommy's strength probably comes from a combination of the physical, mental, and spirtual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewokhugo Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 u are right David :-) he has a feats of strength ministry at church's & schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MalachiMcMullen Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I like to think he's what your average grip enthusiast strives to achieve. He's not a huge guy by any measure (height/weight/hand size) but he has somehow been able to accomplish things thought of being nearly impossible. Genetic gift or just good old-fashioned hard training?...who knows. He's a great all-around grip guy if you look at the performances he put on when he was competing - really good at grippers, pinch, sledge levering, bending. I still haven't seen anyone else crush potatoes as dominantly, rip a deck of cards as fast, or no-set a BBSE. Maybe Tommy will chime in here and give us his secret (probably just hard training). Take note of my signature. As you alluded to, the only "secret" is hard work. You've been told that all your life and it is no different here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twig Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 He is one of the best grip athletes, very humble and can do just about everything. Most strongmen you see are pretty big guys, most well over 200lbs. Chad, David horne, clay, dave morton, jedd, tex, aaron ext. All of those guys are big dudes-some freaky big like tex, clay-, tom is inspiration to the little guys.David's a teeny tiny little man! He just has no excess on him, and the determination of a bulldog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 He's well over 200 though. 16-17 stone I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twig Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 I was 25 stone and over 6 foot! And Jason's a good six six. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stCoC Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Tommy not only is a good guy but has a tremendous grip! For his size right at the top. He is in the smaller sub 8" hand length group in contests. Lucky for some of the larger handed guys! He is a true standout. He reminds me ofAndrew D. and Pat P. all are men made from a similar mold. I still have a 50lb. grip block from him as a cherished piece in the grip "museum" area of our facility.RS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lloyd80s Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Tommy is the best IMHO. No set a BBSE......I think that says it all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewokhugo Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 "Tommy is the best IMHO. No set a BBSE.....I think that says it all!" The best is yet to come:p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim71 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Tommy is a great strongman and great guy. He does many great feats of strength and obviously has one heck of a grip. I've not met him but have dealth with him when he wanted me to send him some bending stock and he always seemed like a great guy. Here's a good newspaper article on Tommy: Tommy Heslep He certainly is VERY deceiving for his size. The kind of guy I like to see make it big. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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