Muhammad Ali famously declared, ‘The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.’
This profound insight applies equally to boxing matches, athletic games, or intense strength competitions. Although Ali never visited Bobcat Fitness Center in Hinton, West Virginia, stepping into its weight room immediately evokes the relentless drive of ‘The Greatest.’ On that crisp winter morning, the chill seeped in from outside, but inside, the palpable intensity of hard work filled the air as Beckley, West Virginia firefighter Zachary Mills methodically stacked plate after plate onto a barbell for his first lift of the session.
‘Building up to 655 pounds today,’ Mills stated with remarkable composure. By profession, Mills serves as a firefighter, yet he also excels as a strongman athlete. These two demanding pursuits have merged triumphantly following his recent triumph in the 2025 America’s Strongest Firefighter competition. He secured the championship in the 220-pound category and is now laser-focused on an even grander challenge: the World’s Strongest Firefighter event.
‘The larger the audience, the more energized I become, and the heavier the loads I can hoist,’ he remarked confidently.
The World’s Strongest Firefighter competition is scheduled for the weekend of March 6-7 at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. What began as a charitable initiative to support California firefighters has evolved into a premier global strongman showdown. Firefighters from across the globe will converge, joined by throngs of spectators, bright lights, rolling cameras, and formidable weights awaiting their challengers.
Scoring will incorporate coefficients to ensure fairness, eliminating weight classes and pitting men and women against one another in pursuit of victory. This setup might seem dauntingly high-stakes, but Mills views it as the essential pressure that forges true excellence, much like a diamond emerging under immense force. This wasn’t a random opportunity; it was a deliberate target he set for himself.
‘I’ve attended the Arnold Festival several times in the past and observed the events firsthand,’ he explained. ‘Once I joined the fire service, I resolved to seize the chance and compete.’
Early Lessons From the Firefighting Grind
While a prestigious title serves as strong motivation for Mills, the core drive behind his grueling sessions at Bobcat Fitness Center stems directly from the demands of his firefighting career. He didn’t dream of becoming a firefighter as a child, but a life-altering incident shifted his path dramatically. After sustaining severe fourth-degree burns on his legs, he not only extinguished the blaze himself but also drove himself to the hospital for treatment.
‘I managed to recover fully, but that ordeal coincided with a pivotal moment where I needed to establish a stable career path,’ Mills reflected.
Prior to entering the fire department, Mills battled Lyme disease right after healing from his burns. This challenging period prompted him to embrace structured training. His introduction to fitness occurred through Spartan obstacle course races. The department’s physical fitness exam emphasized cardiovascular endurance, and his dedicated preparation proved highly effective.
Transitioning from endurance work, Mills delved into powerlifting and soon felt drawn to strongman after witnessing a local event organized by promoter Paul Mouser in Morgantown, West Virginia. Initially, some colleagues at the fire station wondered about his intense focus on building raw strength. They quickly understood its value when Mills demonstrated his prowess in real scenarios, effortlessly handling massive loads and relocating them with speed and precision—skills that proved invaluable during crises.
‘Everything interconnects seamlessly, from rescuing an individual from a blazing structure to hauling heavy hoses. Functional strength like this translates far more effectively to the job than isolated barbell movements alone.’
How Strongman Training Builds Real-World Strength
Success came relatively swiftly once Mills committed to strongman competition. His debut victory arrived at the West Virginia State Championships in the novice division. Advancing to the Virginia State Championships as an open competitor, he earned a bronze medal. He then traveled to Maryland, capturing their state title, and followed it up with a win at the Viking Halloween contest.
His first significant setback occurred at the 2023 National Championships, where he placed 28th. Undeterred, he climbed to ninth position the next year. The year 2025 marked his explosive breakthrough: he dominated the Strongman Moving Classic and clinched gold at America’s Strongest Firefighter in the 100-kilogram class.
‘The World’s Strongest Firefighter is my immediate next target.’
Mills has garnered substantial recognition not just locally in West Virginia but also across social media platforms. Followers frequently contact him seeking training tips, dietary recommendations, or simply to express how he motivates them. His close-knit support network, including family, friends, and fellow firefighters, has rallied behind him enthusiastically.
‘The support has been overwhelming and truly motivating,’ he shared with pride. ‘They’ve even supplied training gear for use right at the station. I couldn’t wish for better backing.’
Though Mills will shine brightest under the spotlights, he readily acknowledges that his achievements are a team effort. Under the expert tutelage of coaches John and Heather Parker from Anomaly Strength Systems, he has honed his existing strengths while elevating other facets of his strongman performance.
Countless individuals inquire about his training regimen and whether strongman suits them, regardless of competitive ambitions. Mills enthusiastically promotes this training style for its broad applicability. ‘Simply begin. Locate an object that’s bulky and weighty, lift it, and carry it across a distance. These movements build transferable power that enhances daily tasks—and for firefighters, it could mean the difference in extracting a casualty from inferno safely. Greater strength makes the rescue smoother and increases survival odds dramatically.’
Zachary Mills’ Strongman Firefighter Deadlift Workout
This routine represents a key component of Mills’ preparation in West Virginia leading up to his major showdown in Ohio. Weights and intensity levels are calibrated using Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE). Ideal for anyone prioritizing strength development for athletics, occupational demands, or general life enhancement.
- Banded Back Extension – 3 sets of 12 reps (RPE 6)
- Safety Squat Bar Seated Good Mornings – 2 sets of 20 reps (RPE 6)
- Deadlifts – 3 sets of 5 reps (RPE 7)
- Snatch Grip Rows (hands on or just outside power rings) – 3 sets of 8 reps (RPE 6)
- Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curls – 3 sets of 15 reps (RPE 7)
- Clayborns – 3 sets of 10 reps (RPE 7)
Rest as required between sets to maintain quality performance.
