‘Big Eddie’: The Sāmoan strongman lifting his faith and community

Eddie Jo Williams, known globally as “Big Eddie”, says faith and community have guided his journey from a Sāmoan family home in Māngere to competing among the world’s strongest men.

Williams is a two-time Australia’s Strongest Man winner and a competitor in the World’s Strongest Man competition. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he is recognised as one of the world’s top strongmen.

Speaking with Pacific Huddle host Tuilagi William Leolahi, Williams says he first discovered the sport of strongman while trying to get fit after his rugby days. But he says he initially felt out of place in the gym because “no one [looked] like me”.

“A friend of mine told me about strongman. I looked into it and I was like, ‘whoa, those dudes look like me and they're doing things that I can do myself’,” WIlliams says.

He says being the “go-to” person for helping family and friends move houses, which made the strongman sport a natural fit for him. But he adds there is a lack of Pacific participants in the sport.

“I did my first competition and I ended up winning it. I was like, ‘okay, if I can win my first competition with no training, no experience, imagine what I can do if I apply myself and learn the techniques?’”

That victory set him on a path that led him being crowned Australia’s Strongest Man in 2017 and 2018. He later placed sixth at the 2022 Giants Live Strongman Classic in London and had the chance to meet some of his childhood heroes through the sport, including Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Williams recently participated in a YouTube video with social media star MrBeast, which has racked up over 111 million views since it was posted two weeks ago.

“So Mr Beast was really cool. I was over at a competition and then we got asked to do a video with him. My kids love him to bits, they love his content. Again, another God moment. [God] makes room for you at tables that you feel like you don't deserve.”

Earlier this year, Williams was a contestant on Netflix’s Physical: 100 Asia, where he represented Australia and showcased his strength and character in the pan-Asian competition series. The 190kg athlete is also a trained singer who performed at weddings for 10 years before fully committing to professional strength sports.

His musical performances at international strongman events, including singing at the Royal Albert Hall during the Strongman Classic, have earned him a unique reputation in the sport.

Williams says his strength and success come from God, describing his faith as central to surviving the sport’s physical and financial challenges. Williams believes setbacks have taught him patience and humility.

“God revealing that, ‘I've made you strong for a reason but I've also made you gentle and caring’, all the stuff that doesn't normally come with being an alpha. Breaking cycles, breaking generational curses that have always hovered over our people.”

“A picture I love is that God was the lion and he was also the lamb. I love seeing that picture because I can be a beast when it comes to competing, but then I can be the lamb when I need to talk to my daughter, talk to my sons and discipline them and get to their level,” Williams says.

Outside of competition, Williams dedicates time to growing the sport in the Pacific. He works alongside Misa Peter Anae, President of Strongman Sāmoa, to host international events on the island to raise opportunities for young athletes.

Williams says his focus remains on faith, family, and paving the way for others. He adds that the legacy he wishes to leave behind is that “I took chances”, and hopes the same for others.

“I just want to inspire people to give it a go because that's the hardest thing with Islanders, they won't step out in faith until someone else does it. If I can leave you with anything, it is, be who you needed when you were younger.”