The Great Lakes Strongest Man Competition happened last week in Traverse City and competitors got to show off their strength in front of spectators. It’s much more than a competition for some people; it’s bringing people together.
“Great Lakes Strongest Man is the largest amateur strongman event that happens in the United States,” George Bullard, Great Lakes Strongest Man Promoter, said. “And what’s awesome is it happens in this beautiful setting here at Turtle Creek Stadium. So ,I got to mix my favorite team, The Pit Spitters, and got to and got to mix Strongman. And it was just the most beautiful marriage that we’ve been here for five years running seven years total.”
Strongman events are enough to inspire others to push their bodies past their limits.
“When I was a little kid, I used to watch Strongman and there was nothing more that I wanted to do,” Bullard said. “All my brothers ended up being 6”5 and 6”6, and here’s the short guy. I saw them on T.V. and that’s all I wanted to do. I wanted to lift cars and do that… I went into Strongman and found out that I was a really good Strongman, but better promoter, and always held on to the Great Lakes Strongman.”
For Bullard the competition has even more of a meaning. His team of nurses from Munson Medical Center volunteer their time to help with the event.
“I get goosebumps talking about it because, being a nurse is hard,” Bullard said. “Everybody thinks lifting weights is hard. Being a nurse can be really difficult. Why? Because we’re seeing people at the most vulnerable times of their lives, and we get to be that extra support for them. And I get to experience that on everyday basis. With this team, I have the most incredible nurses and nursing assistants that you could ever see. And I’m really proud of them.”
But it’s not just people from the region that show up to compete in this test of strength. Some people have travelled from Canada and Mexico or other countries. This year Craig Kehoe travelled from England.
“I’ve been competing and been a fan of strongman for many years,” Kehoe said. “So, I come across the Great Lakes Strongest Man and when I first saw I straight away, I thought, what an awesome looking comp it was. I really want to be a part of it. So, I reached out to George and signed up.”
Kehoe had competed 20 years ago, but he had a young family at the time. Now his kids are older, and he is back competing.
“I always wanted to visit Michigan just because it’s a beautiful part of the country,” Kehoe said. “I’m so glad I did. Now, and I just couldn’t really miss the opportunity to compete in an incredible stadium and an incredible home.”
While everyone is technically competing, it’s nothing but respect between the participants.
“I’ve competed in many sports over the years, and this format has a unique camaraderie were, yes, you’re competing,” Bullard said. “You want to win, but everybody wants to see each other do well. And that’s one thing I love about the sport.”