JRE 1727 · June 27, 2024
Rob Kearney
Who is Rob Kearney?
Rob Kearney is the world's first openly gay professional strongman. He's also the co-author of the children's book "Strong," along with writer Eric Rosswood, and illustrator Nidhi Chanani.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Rob Kearney is the world's first openly gay professional strongman and shares his journey breaking barriers in the sport
- 02He co-authored a children's book called 'Strong' to inspire kids and normalize diverse representation in athletics
- 03Discussion covers the mental and physical demands of competitive strongman training and competition
- 04Rob talks about coming out in the strongman community and how acceptance has evolved
- 05The conversation explores toxic masculinity in strength sports and changing attitudes toward inclusivity
- 06Rob discusses using his platform to advocate for LGBTQ visibility in male-dominated athletic spaces
- ▶Rob introduces himself as the world's first openly gay professional strongman0:00:00
- ▶Discussion about coming out in the strongman community and initial reactions0:05:00
- ▶Rob talks about the inspiration and creation of the 'Strong' children's book0:15:00
- ▶Deep dive into the mental and physical training required for professional strongman competition0:35:00
- ▶Rob discusses how toxic masculinity is changing in strength sports and the importance of representation0:50:00
The Show
Joe sits down with Rob Kearney, a groundbreaking figure in strength sports as the first openly gay professional strongman. The conversation dives into Rob's athletic career, his decision to come out publicly, and how he's using his platform to challenge outdated notions of masculinity within the strongman community. Rob shares stories about competing at elite levels while being open about his identity, which wasn't always easy given the traditionally hypermasculine culture of the sport.
One of the major topics is Rob's children's book 'Strong,' which he co-authored with writer Eric Rosswood and illustrator Nidhi Chanani. The book aims to show kids that strength comes in many forms and from many different people, regardless of gender, sexuality, or background. Rob explains his motivation for creating something that would have meant the world to him as a kid growing up and questioning his place in sports and masculinity.
The conversation also explores the actual mechanics and demands of strongman training. Rob talks about the intensity of preparing for competitions, the injuries that come with the sport, and how mental toughness is just as important as physical strength. Joe and Rob discuss how the strongman community has evolved and become more accepting, and how younger athletes coming up now have role models they didn't have before.
Throughout the episode, Rob brings authenticity and humor to discussions about identity, acceptance, and breaking barriers. He's not preachy about it, just genuine about his experiences and what he wants to contribute to the sport and to younger generations discovering their own strength, whatever that looks like for them.
Best Quotes
“I wanted to create something for kids that shows them strength comes in all forms and from all kinds of people”
— Rob Kearney
From the JRE 1727 conversation with Rob Kearney.
“The strongman community is way more accepting than people think, but it wasn't always that way”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1727 conversation with Rob Kearney.
“Coming out was terrifying, but staying in the closet was suffocating”
— Rob Kearney
From the JRE 1727 conversation with Rob Kearney.
“Young athletes need to see themselves reflected in the sports they love”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 1727 conversation with Rob Kearney.
“Strength isn't just about how much weight you can lift, it's about who you are as a person”
— Rob Kearney
From the JRE 1727 conversation with Rob Kearney.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
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