Kai Greene sits down with strongman Eddie Hall to discuss his new film – Taming The Beast
In this week’s episode of the Kai Greene Effect, bodybuilding legend Kai Greene sits down with one of the most recognizable figures in strength sports, Eddie Hall – the 2017 World’s Strongest Man champion. What unfolds is more than just a conversation about lifting heavy weights or winning titles. It’s a grounded, honest look at identity, mental health, ambition, and what it really takes to build a life beyond the spotlight.
This episode centers around a new documentary chronicling Eddie Hall’s life, Taming the Beast, set to release later this year, but it quickly expands into a broader discussion about growth, pressure, and purpose.
You can watch the full episode of the Kai Greene Effect above. Keep reading for an in-depth recap of Kai’s conversation with Eddie Hall.
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From Unfinished Story to Full Circle
Kai Greene opens the conversation by asking how the new documentary came about. Eddie Hall explains that this project is, in many ways, a continuation of his earlier Netflix documentary released in 2015. That first film captured his relentless work ethic and the uphill battle of his strongman career. It showed the struggle, the sacrifice, and the grit – but it ended before the ultimate payoff.
It left viewers hanging on one key question: Would Eddie Hall ever become the World’s Strongest Man?
Taming the Beast answers that question. But more importantly, it goes further. It doesn’t just show the victory. It explores what happens after the dream is achieved. The film digs into Hall’s personal life, his mental health, and the emotional cost of chasing greatness.
In a sense, it is the most intimate exploration of the man behind the public figure Eddie Hall. Providing never before seen insights into his past, present, and future.
The Weight of Identity and Expectation
Kai Greene points out something that still affects Eddie Hall today—the constant tension between who he is privately and who the world expects him to be publicly.
Hall responds by tracing that pressure back to childhood. He remembers watching Arnold Schwarzenegger and being completely captivated. Schwarzenegger didn’t just look powerful—he commanded attention. People reacted to him. That reaction became the blueprint for Hall’s own ambitions. But the path wasn’t clean or easy.
As a teenager, Hall struggled with severe anxiety and depression. Without the tools to manage it, he turned to drugs and alcohol. That period spiraled to the point where he was expelled from school. It was a low point, one that could have defined his future. Instead, he found the gym.
Weightlifting became his outlet. Where substances once filled a gap, training took over. It gave him structure, purpose, and a way to channel his energy. Later, he was diagnosed with ADHD, which helped him better understand the root of his struggles. But even before that clarity, the gym had already become his anchor.
A Promise That Changed Everything
One of the most powerful moments in Eddie Hall’s story centers around his grandmother. As her health declined due to cancer, Hall made a promise to her on her deathbed—that he would one day become the World’s Strongest Man.
That promise became his driving force.
From that point forward, his life shifted entirely toward that goal. Training wasn’t optional. It was a mission. And when he finally achieved that title, the feeling was overwhelming.
Hall describes winning strongman competitions as comparable to the first time taking cocaine—an intense, euphoric high. But instead of drugs, he chased that feeling through performance, discipline, and competition. In many ways, strongman became his replacement addiction—but one that built rather than destroyed.
Built Through Competition
Kai Greene asks whether being the youngest of his brothers contributed to his competitive nature. Eddie Hall doesn’t hesitate.
Growing up, physical toughness was part of daily life. Fighting, roughhousing, and constant challenges shaped his mindset early. While he now has a strong relationship with his brothers, those early experiences gave him a hardened perspective.
When he transitioned into competitive swimming as a kid, that same drive showed up. He wasn’t just participating—he was trying to prove he was the best.
At just 10 years old, Eddie Hall entered his first championship and dominated. He won decisively, outperforming everyone in his age group. That moment clicked something in his mind. He saw a direct link between effort and outcome. Hard work didn’t just matter—it paid off in a measurable way.
The Power of Imagination and Focus
Kai Greene brings up the idea of being fully present in competition – that moment when everything slows down and clarity takes over. Eddie Hall not only understands this concept – he connects it to an unexpected source: Dragon Ball Z.
As a kid, he was deeply inspired by the show. During training and competition, he would imagine himself like the character, pushing beyond limits, unlocking hidden strength, becoming something more than human. That mindset helped him tap into deeper levels of focus and belief.
It wasn’t just fantasy. It was a tool. A way to convince himself that more was possible.
Understanding “The Beast”
The title Taming the Beast reflects a central theme in Eddie Hall’s life. He explains that “The Beast” is the persona people see – the aggressive, dominant figure on stage or in competition. But that’s only part of who he is.
Off the stage, Hall is a father, a husband, and someone who enjoys simple things like video games and time with friends. The challenge is learning when to turn that persona on and when to step away from it.
The Beast is necessary for success. It fuels performance and intensity. But if left unchecked, it can take over completely. Learning to control it – to “tame” it – is what allows Hall to live a balanced life.
Fatherhood and Legacy
A large portion of the conversation shifts toward Eddie Hall’s son, Maximus. Like his father, Maximus is naturally strong and has also been diagnosed with ADHD. Hall has seen firsthand how the gym has helped his son focus, improve academically, and build confidence.
While Hall doesn’t force his son into strongman, he fully supports his interests. He recognizes both the opportunity and the pressure that comes with being his son.
People already ask Maximus if he’ll become the next World’s Strongest Man. At just 10 years old, that kind of expectation can be overwhelming.
Eddie Hall is aware of this and tries to strike a balance. He encourages ambition but also makes sure his son gets to enjoy being a kid. He provides incentives and structure but doesn’t remove all struggle. He understands that too much comfort can reduce the drive to succeed—but too much pressure can do just as much harm.
Vulnerability on Camera
Kai Greene, who has his own experience with documentaries, asks whether it was difficult for Eddie Hall to show such a vulnerable side of himself in the film.
Hall is clear: honesty matters. He believes that sharing his struggles, especially around mental health, can help others who are dealing with similar issues. If someone sees his story and feels less alone, then the vulnerability is worth it.
That said, he acknowledges that there’s always a line. With fame comes criticism, and Hall has faced plenty of it. From online insults to harsh public opinions, he’s learned not to take everything seriously.
Still, deciding how much to share is never easy. It’s a balance between authenticity and self-protection.
Life After Strongman
Now retired from professional strongman, Eddie Hall is exploring new challenges, including boxing and acting. When asked if there’s an endpoint to his ambitions, his answer is simple: no. Success isn’t a fixed destination. It evolves.
Hall openly states that he wants to become a billionaire. He wants financial freedom at the highest level. But he also envisions a quieter future – living on a farm, stepping away from the spotlight, and enjoying the life he’s built.
A New Arena: Boxing
One of Eddie Hall’s current pursuits is boxing, including an upcoming match against Tommy Fury. Unlike strongman, boxing puts him in a position where he’s not the best – and likely never will be. And Hall is okay with that.
Hall has already reached the pinnacle of strongman. Whether he won one title or ten, he achieved the ultimate goal. That frees him to explore new challenges without needing to dominate them.
Interestingly, he points out that a single boxing match can pay more than multiple strongman victories combined. It’s a different world, financially and competitively.
Risk, Reward, and the Pursuit of Greatness
Kai Greene raises a valid concern about the risks involved in boxing, especially given Eddie Hall’s size and family responsibilities.
Hall doesn’t shy away from it. He understands the danger. Fighting at over 300 pounds carries real risk. But for him, that’s part of the appeal.
He sums it up with a simple philosophy:
“You can either live 100 years as a sheep or 50 years as a lion.”
It’s not about recklessness. It’s about choosing a life that feels meaningful, even if it comes with risk.
“I would take 50 years as a lion,” Eddie Hall concludes.
Wrap Up
This episode of The Kai Greene Effect goes far beyond strength sports. It’s about identity, resilience, and the constant process of becoming.
Eddie Hall’s journey – from struggling teenager to World’s Strongest Man to a man redefining himself again – offers something real. Not polished or perfect, but honest.
And that honesty is what makes the conversation stick.
