November 17, 2025 – Submitted by Mass MVMNT, photos courtesy of Mike Monarch
His wife likes to call him “the strongest old guy in the USA.” Hingham resident Mike Monarch, age 54, recently earned first place at Strongman Nationals in the Masters division.
Mike spent years as a competitive cyclist before finding CrossFit at age 41, where he quickly ranked in the top 10% worldwide in his division. Eight years ago, he left a long career with Microsoft to open Mass MVMNT Strength and Conditioning in Hingham. There, he teamed up with strongman athlete Anthony Pickering, who became his head coach and training partner. Inspired by Anthony’s feats of strength, Mike began training for strongman at 51, and discovered that decades of disciplined fitness had built the perfect foundation for lifting, carrying, throwing, and pulling massive weights.
During his cycling years, Mike weighed a lean 175 pounds. Today, he competes at around 240 pounds, a transformation fueled by consistent training, intentional recovery, and a serious commitment to protein.
Spend a few minutes talking with Mike and you’ll hear his mantra: “Strength is for everyone.” He believes that building muscle isn’t just possible at any age, it’s essential. “With the right mindset and the right approach, anyone can get stronger and dramatically improve their health,” he says.
That philosophy has become the backbone of Mass MVMNT’s community, where most members are busy parents in their 30s through 50s. Many arrive feeling out of shape or intimidated by weights, but leave feeling empowered, stronger, and more confident in their bodies than ever before. “We’ve seen incredible transformations — not just physically, but mentally,” Mike says. “Getting stronger changes how people see themselves and how they move through life.”
Outside the gym, Mike is a husband, father, and occasional cyclist. He and his wife of 33 years, Elena, often turn his strongman competitions into mini-vacations around the country. Elena, a member at Mass MVMNT herself, proudly calls herself his biggest fan.
Mike’s win at Nationals qualified him once again for the Arnold Classic Strongman World Championships, where he placed fourth last year. This year, he’s aiming for the top spot, representing not just himself, but the Hingham community that’s supported him every step of the way.
If you are looking to put on muscle of your own, you might just spot “the strongest old guy in the USA”, and other jacked men and women of all ages, right here in Hingham at Mass MVMNT.
