Pfister

The sport also requires a little ingenuity. The things he lifts in competition are a bit unusual, often looking more like debris from a construction site than regulation weights. For instance, one piece of equipment looks like a yoke with a concrete block attached to either end, another, like a large metal log. Therefore Mr. Pfister has to make most of his training equipment himself. The strongman even keeps an old car at his house to practice flipping over heavy objects. He uses these 180 kilo stone balls for a variety of exercises involving lifting and walking.

Phil Pfister is the only American to be named one of the World's top five Strong Men since 1990. Though he's placed well in numerous contests, including winning the American Hercules 2000, and coming in second at this year's "Beauty and the Beast" contest, he isn't getting rich off the prize money. His winnings have averaged about $15,000 a year.

What is really important to Phil Pfister is being a positive role model. He says he'd like to set up a mentoring program for West Virginia's youngsters. He has two messages for them: "take time to enjoy being a kid" and "stay drug-free."