Rayno Nel: What does it take to become the World’s Strongest Man?
South Africa’s Rayno Nel made history when he became the World’s Strongest Man in May 2025 – he’s the first champion from outside of Europe or North America - but what does it take to become the world’s strongest man?
The former rugby player tells Not by the Playbook’s Mani Djazmi about how he combines his day job as an engineer with his training, how many calories he eats a day and how his life has changed since making history in the strongman competition.
Image: Rayno Nel of South Africa lifts a 154kg (340 lbs) circus barbell for two reps, during the Overhead Medley event on the first day of qualifying at the "World's Strongest Man" competition on May 15, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images)
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