The Mountain from Game of Thrones, that giant that impressed in its short appearances in the famous series, was not always the intimidating colossus that everyone remembers. Before his impressive physical transformation, this human mountain had a different appearance.
Hafthor Bjornsson, the actor behind this feared knight who goes by the name Gregor Clegane, has shared on Instagram his physical evolution, from a 19-year-old teenager playing basketball to becoming the third strongest man in the world. The image that most impacts is that of Bjornsson at the age of 19, when he weighed only 100 kilos, in contrast to the imposing figure of 180 kilos that he exhibited in his heyday as a strongman.
This metamorphosis is not only a testament to dedication and hard work, but also to a remarkable ability to adapt. Bjornsson, who initially dreamed of a career in the NBA, saw his plans to continue playing basketball cut short due to an ankle injury at age 19.
However, far from giving up, he reinvented himself as a bodybuilder, consuming up to 10,000 calories a day spread over six to eight meals. This dietary regimen was a key pillar in his physical transformation, helping him achieve the achievements that earned him the title of third strongest man in the world.
But Bjornsson's story doesn't end there. In a surprising change of heart, he reduced his caloric intake to 5,000 calories - he became incredibly athletic and defined - with the intention of starting a career in boxing, although he later opted for weightlifting, adapting his physique again for this discipline. .
In addition to his impressive career as a bodybuilder and his time on Game of Thrones, Bjornsson is known for his achievements in strongman competitions. He was the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man and World's Strongest Man in the same year. To achieve his imposing physique, Bjornsson revealed on his YouTube channel that he ate 10,000 calories a day from 2018 to 2020, with a breakfast that included eggs, bacon, French toast and orange juice.
Despite all this success and recognition, Bjornsson's life has not been free of personal difficulties. He recently shared the tragic loss he suffered with his wife Kelsey Henson, whose daughter was stillborn in November of this year.
