The Canadian strongman, known for his record-breaking lifts and advocacy for mental health, is now facing a public controversy involving allegations of infidelity, leaked messages, and an impending divorce from his wife, Ashley Hooper.
Mitchell Hooper has been married to veterinarian Ashley Hooper since 2022. The couple welcomed their daughter, Payton, in 2024 and are expecting their second child in October 2025.
Lately, their once-stable family life has been shaken by allegations that have sparked widespread discussion in the strongman community
Mitchell Hooper Admits To Inappropriate Conversations While Ashley Hooper Removes Him From Her Social Media!
In late April 2025, Mitchell Hooper and Ashley Hooper addressed personal matters that had surfaced publicly, which ignited a wildfire of speculation.
According to a statement Hooper shared on Reddit, he acknowledged engaging in inappropriate conversations with another woman, which included discussions about the future and explicit topics.
Hooper wrote a lengthy statement on his Instagram story in which he clarified that these conversations occurred after “difficult conversations surrounding the end of our marriage,” suggesting that the marriage was already strained.
Nonetheless, he took full responsibility, stating, “I f*cked up. This is my fault. I try to be the best person I can be and I have fallen well short.”
Ashley Hooper, meanwhile, provided context through Instagram Stories, which have since been reported to point to a woman who was not only her friend but also the Maid of Honor at their wedding.
On top of that, the individual was allegedly Hooper’s personal assistant, which adds a layer of betrayal to the already messed-up situation.
In addition to sharing the pictures of the maid of honor, Ashley removed all photos and mentions of Mitchell from her Instagram and unfollowed him and his associates.
Ashley’s abrupt social media actions have signaled a significant rift.
Fans Express Concern for Ashley Hooper, Their Daughter, and Their Unborn Baby!
The couple’s one-year-old daughter, Payton, and Ashley’s pregnancy with their second baby have made things more emotional. Fans feel sympathy for them, while some critics have been judging them.
The leaked messages haven’t been fully shared with the public, but they’ve sparked discussions on Reddit.
The strongman community has been quick to react, with figures like Mattis Bjorheim providing a timeline of events and Andrew Hiller offering commentary.
The controversy has parallels to a similar scandal involving fellow strongman Luke Stoltman, who faced cheating allegations from his wife, Kushi Stoltman, in November 2024.
At the time, Hooper publicly distanced himself from Stoltman, stating,
My initial reaction was to stand by a friend in a hard time. The more I learn, I can’t.
He also claimed, “I live no double life. I hold no skeletons. I don’t have the energy to lie about who I am.”
Meanwhile, these statements, made just six months prior, have come back to haunt Hooper. A user xstephster on April 30, 2025, highlighted the irony, writing:
Absolute irony when Mitchell Hooper blasted Luke Stoltman for cheating on his wife and then has to release a statement saying he’s done the same.
People see this as hypocritical because Hooper strongly criticized someone for cheating, but now faces similar accusations himself.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Mitchell Hooper won the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition, becoming the first Canadian to claim the title.
- Hooper secured victories in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic events.
- He holds a degree in human kinetics from the University of Guelph and a master’s in clinical exercise physiology from the University of Sydney.
