From pebble to a mountain.

Everyone has to start somewhere. When bodybuilders or strength athletes choose to embark on a journey of discovery through muscle growth and physical change, the road does seem truly long indeed, especially in the beginning. Picking up your first dumbbell may feel as difficult as pulling a sword from a stone. But just like King Arthur did with Excalibur, that dumbbell signifies the beginning of something great, an adventure of self discovery that will have you pushing yourself to the limit in hopes of making a new and improved version of yourself.

Often times a fan will look on an athlete and admire them, perhaps even hoping to achieve the same physique as their hero. The funny thing about those athletes, bodybuilder or not, they all had to start somewhere, sometimes in positions that most people would have never even thought was possible. Many of the bodybuilders and strength athletes idolized today were either extremely skinny before picking up the weights or had a few more pounds on their frame than what fans are used to seeing. There’s no shame in their game. After all, they endeavored to make a change in themselves so judging them is the last thing that we should do. They should be praised for having the resolve to better themselves whether that be for aesthetic purposes or to compete in another athletic endeavor.

For many, Hafthor Bjornson is simply the man known as “The Mountain” from Game of Thrones, a mammoth man with the strength to back up all that size. Hafthor has broken many different strength records through the years and as his story continues has managed to garner much attention within the bodybuilding and weightlifting scene. But Hafthor wasn’t always the hulking beast he is today. Far from it in fact. Before becoming a strongman he was a basketball player of far less size and strength. To see the young man in the past makes his transformation all the more alarming. Check out the video below to witness Hafthor Bjornson’s transformation.

What do you think of Hathor’s transformation into the musclebound Mountain that he is today? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.

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