Strongman national title result of training, focus, mindset
Some individuals go above and beyond the Canadian Armed Forces’ emphasis and expectations for member’s fitness and fitness.
14 Wing Greenwood’s Sergeant Travis Kennedy, an aviation systems technician and course director at 404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron, is currently Canada’s strongest man. After competing in his first competition in 2022, just two years later, Kennedy achieved his goal in October – at the age of 38, winning the U105kg men’s division at the 2024 Strongman Corp Canada national competition in Moncton.
Kennedy’s first strong man competition was quite last-minute: in 2022, he entered the Nova Scotia Strongest Man competition on just nine days’ notice and managed to secure a win. This victory earned him a spot in the Canada’s Strongest Man competition in Thunder Bay, where he went on to place ninth out of 32 competitors. This rush of competing at such a high level – and excelling – quickly fueled dreams of bigger victories on larger stages.
Strongman competitions are particularly challenging, due to unconventional aspects of the sport: sled dragging, car deadlifts, stone lifts. Kennedy began his strongman journey with limited equipment, but relied on self-belief.
“It didn’t matter – I believed in myself,” he says. Early in his training, he worked with New Scotland Strength to design a program and invested his own money into training equipment specific to the sport to improve his performance.
“The weights are very, very heavy,” he says, adding the sport carries a very high risk of injury: proper training is crucial to performance and safety.
He attributes his success to proper programming, using the right weights to minimize injury risk and maintaining a strict focus on recovery, diet, sleep and, most importantly, a winner’s mindset. Strongman competitions are grueling, often lasting up to eight hours, so long training sessions are essential to mentally and physically prepare.
In 2024, Kennedy decided to change his approach, opting for “intelligent, strict programming, obsessive focus and a strong, positive, champion’s mindset.” Reflecting on the results – the national title win, he attributes it all to overcoming early adversity and fighting his way back to secure the win.
“I never gave up; I maintained focus and got the job done.”
Kennedy is now preparing to compete at the pro level at the international Arnold Amateur Competition in Columbus, Ohio, in March.
Along with his competitive achievements, Kennedy also dedicates time to coaching others. His future goals include hosting SCC-sanctioned competitions at 14 Wing Greenwood and helping grow the sport in Canada. He encourages young athletes interested in strongman to reach out to him, or Strongman Corp Canada on social media, for advice on how to get involved.
The challenges of strongman competitions have pushed Kennedy to his physical limits, while providing valuable lessons that apply to his work in the Royal Canadian Air Force. His dedication to training and recovery supports his operational readiness, and his coaching experience has honed his leadership skills. As a military course director, he brings the same focus and determination to his role, influencing others both in the gym and on base. Kennedy’s achievements highlight the importance of fitness, mindset, and success in both athletic competitions and military life.
