It’s still in there, but color is used as a metaphor and because Rob’s story included the shift to colorful leggings as he embraced who he was. Rosswood: I didn’t want coming out to be the problem. Eric, you said this wasn’t a coming out story - why is that important and how did you avoid turning it into that? I wanted the art to reflect what I could feel in the words: that feeling of you’re doing something that challenges the whole hyper-male, testosterone-filled environment of this sport.

It feels really awkward to say! I have a whole folder of references and I collected so many great photos.

Nidhi, did you pull the patterns of Rob’s leggings in the book from real ones?Ĭhanani: Yes - I looked at a lot of photos of you, Rob. Luckily, now I work with a clothing company that designs my leggings for me. There have been all these trials and tribulations with companies that say things like 2XL and then (the leggings) come and must have meant in youth. Kearney: Honestly, I Google “crazy men’s leggings” and scroll for hours. Speaking of spandex, your signature style has been captured by Nidhi throughout the book, but where do you find such fabulous spandex to fit you as one of the world’s strongest men? The funny thing is, I hadn’t colored my hair through the, and when I went to a competition back in October, the number one comment I got wasn’t about my performance - it was “Where’s the rainbow hair?” I’d always been known for wearing my colorful spandex when I compete and I just really wanted to up the ante that year when I was representing the USA as a gay man in Pride Month. Kearney: In 2019, it was my first time competing in World’s Strongest Man in the US and it was being held during Pride Month. And, as a queer person, I enjoy opportunities that allow me to be part of the LGBTQ+ community. As an artist, I saw rainbow mohawk and was like, I need to draw this.

I had never done a nonfiction picture book and it’s cool to honor a current hero - someone who you can learn about and then go see in action.

to hourlong conversations about “What is Strongman?” and “How do we turn this hyper-masculine and intense lifting sport into a child-friendly story?”Ĭhanani: When described who Eric and Rob were, I was immediately interested. Kearney: I’ve traveled the world, done some awesome things, and met really cool people - but children’s books are timeless. I wanted the story to get more attention and kids don’t see enough LGBTQ+ role models so I reached out to Rob on Twitter. Rosswood: I saw an article with Rob breaking a log lift record and I thought that was really inspiring.

Strong rob kearney