A three-time World’s Strongest Man, Tom Stoltman, has said autism became the key tool that helped him overcome depression and transform his life.

Stoltman, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, said he struggled with bullying and isolation while growing up in Scotland, adding that by the age of 16 he had reached what he described as a breaking point.

He explained that his turning point came when his older brother introduced him to weight training, noting that the structure and routine of the gym helped him channel his focus and rebuild his confidence.

According to Stoltman, autism allowed him to lock into discipline and block out distractions, a mindset he said later drove him to the top of global strongman competition.

He said what once made him feel different eventually became his strength, adding that he now sees autism not as a limitation but as an advantage that helped him develop exceptional mental resilience.

Stoltman, who has won the World’s Strongest Man title three times, said his story shows that difference can become power when properly understood and supported.