Interview With Norwegian Strongman
& WSM Competitor Espen Bøs Aune
Interviewed By Ben Tatar - December 2008
Translated by Mike Westerdal of CriticalBench.com

CRITICAL BENCH: Espen, welcome to Critical Bench! What is your height, weight and what strongman shows have you competed in? How did you place?

I'm 184 cm tall and weight 130 kilos. I have finished 2nd in the Norway's Strongest Man Contest. I finished 10th in the 2007 Europe's Strongest Man Contest. I have also won several other smaller competitions.

CRITICAL BENCH: What are your best lifts?

300-250-310 Kilos without shirt or gear. (In pounds that 661, 551, 683 in the squat, bench and deadlift.)

CRITICAL BENCH: What made you choose strongman over bodybuilding and powerlifting?

Strongman is more fun. You have to be strong overall to master the sport. You have to be a man among men to compete in strongman :

CRITICAL BENCH: What are your 5 favorite things about being a strongman competitor?

1. Power


2. Power


3. Power


4. Power


5. And More POWER :)

CRITICAL BENCH: What are your 5 favorite strongman events and why?

1. Farmer's- I am fast and have a strong grip.


2. Yoke- You have to be fast for this too.


3. Log lift- I'm good at pressing.


4. Truck pull- This is another event I am very strong in.


5. Loading- I like this event because I'm fast at it.

CRITICAL BENCH: Do you always train strongman events?

I train two weeks at the gym and one week with strongman. I train strongman semi-light with a focus on technique.

CRITICAL BENCH: What organizations have you competed in?

I have competed in a lot. VPC, EMS, WSM are my best competitions

CRITICAL BENCH: What would you like to tell the future generation of strongman what to do when they train and what not to do?

Listen to what more experienced lifters have to tell you. Talk with other strongman competitors that have been training longer than you. Don't rush it, it takes time to get strong. Good luck! :

CRITICAL BENCH: Give us your most hardcore and your funniest strongman story?

There are so many stories haha. I am not allowed (permitted) to tell any of them almost. I'll put it like this: Strongman are fun, and the people who runs strongman are very nice(plesant) and funny.

CRITICAL BENCH: Away from strongman training what do you enjoy doing?

I like to be at home watching TV, DVDs and relaxing with the love of my life and kids.

CRITICAL BENCH: What are your future goals?

That's easy I want to be Norway's strongest man and finish in top 3 at the World's Strongest Man Competition.

CRITICAL BENCH: Why should all men be strong?

Because we are men!!!!

CRITICAL BENCH: Tell us about your diet and what are your favorite supplements?

I eat about 5500 calories per day. This is to maintain my weight. I like protein, ZMA, Ribose and Creatine. For the most part that's what I take. I am sponsored by www.myorevolution.com which helps me with my food, nutrition and supplements.

Espen "bøs" Aune

CRITICAL BENCH: What makes you different from everyone else?

In strongman there are not many that are faster. When it comes to events with speed I am the best!

CRITICAL BENCH: What makes you happy and what makes you tick?

I am happy when my training is on point. I'm upset when I have bad form or tired, that's not a good day.

CRITICAL BENCH: What goes through your head before attempting a big lift?

I am angry and think aggressive thoughts.

CRITICAL BENCH: What drives you to be the best?

I have a strong competitive drive. I hate to lose. I expect a lot from myself and do everything I can to succeed.

CRITICAL BENCH: What are you going to remember most about your strength journey?

Everything. Strongman is fantastic. I will remember everything I have been a part of and all the people I have meet and competed against.

CRITICAL BENCH: In closing who would you like to thank?

I must thank my lovely Annette for putting up with me. Also my good friend Oalf Dahl who helps me with my training.

Espen "bøs" Aune Doing Shrugs

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