Robert Oberst, whose motto is "Strong and Pretty," grew up in Aptos, California, graduated from Western Oregon University in 2008 with a degree in history. He moved to San Francisco, and like most history majors, found work as a bouncer in gay bars.
But soon he discovered that being huge was good for more than attracting guys: he began competing on the strongman circuit, and racking up awards:
In 2022, after placing in nearly 20 competitions, Robert retired from strength competitions, just in time to break into an acting career. He stars in Season 3 of The Righteous Gemstones as Chuck Montgomery, one of the backwoods cousins of the mega-rich Judy, Jesse, and Kelvin Gemstone.
Bodybuilders are drawn from the elite class, who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on protein supplements and fancy gym equipment. Strongmen are drawn from the working class, so their feats of strength often involve everyday objects: lifting boulders, logs, and tires; pulling or flipping over cars; tossing beer kegs. Here Oleg Novikov, the World's Strongest Man in 2020, lifts a barbell made of tires.
Strength competitions are super-macho, drawing a lot of heterosexual alpha males. Although Robert likes to hint that he is gay, he has never made a public statement. Besides, I think he might have a wife.
First place, San Francisco Fit Exp, 2012.
Third place, America's Strongest Man, 2012. Second place, 2013 and 2014
Third place, All-Amerca Strong Man Challenge, 2013.
And it goes on like that. Meanwhile, he sold "Strong and Pretty" products and appeared as himself in two tv series dedicated to the strongest men in the world.
In 2022, after placing in nearly 20 competitions, Robert retired from strength competitions, just in time to break into an acting career. He stars in Season 3 of The Righteous Gemstones as Chuck Montgomery, one of the backwoods cousins of the mega-rich Judy, Jesse, and Kelvin Gemstone.
Strongman contests differ from bodybuilding in their emphasis on strength rather than definition, so bulk is fine. Many strongmen find that a belly is an asset, as we see with Tom Stoltzman, World's Strongest Man in 2021 and 2022.
Bodybuilders are drawn from the elite class, who can afford to spend thousands of dollars on protein supplements and fancy gym equipment. Strongmen are drawn from the working class, so their feats of strength often involve everyday objects: lifting boulders, logs, and tires; pulling or flipping over cars; tossing beer kegs. Here Oleg Novikov, the World's Strongest Man in 2020, lifts a barbell made of tires.
Robert Oberst specialized in the log lift: in 2015 he broke the American log lift record of 211 kg -- 465 pounds.
Strength competitions are super-macho, drawing a lot of heterosexual alpha males. Although Robert likes to hint that he is gay, he has never made a public statement. Besides, I think he might have a wife.
In fact only one professional strongman is out as gay: Rob Kearney, who coincidentally broke Robert Oberst's log-lift record in 2020.
Nude strongman bonus after the break
