From Texas to North Carolina: A New Beginning
For Hunter Kelly, lifting wasn’t just about building muscle—it was a way of coping with life’s challenges.
"I first got into lifting when we moved from Texas to North Carolina," Hunter recalls. "It was my way of coping with a lot of the stress and depression I was facing at the time."
Though he had always been active, strength training didn’t become a central part of his life until later. He initially trained in jiu-jitsu and wrestling growing up, later transitioning to running and cycling. But in 2023, an unexpected event changed everything—World’s Strongest Man was being held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
"I was close enough to be able to make it," he says. "While I was there, I signed up to be coached by the winner, Mitch Hooper. After doing group training with him, I fell in love with the sport and haven’t looked back since."
This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a new era in Hunter’s athletic career. The exposure to elite-level training opened his eyes to what was possible, motivating him to push his limits and embrace the world of strongman competitions.
Hunter Kelly: The Evolution of Strength
Hunter’s lifting journey started in high school, training two to three times a week in the weight room with little knowledge beyond what his wrestling coach taught. However, everything changed when he discovered Kinesiology in college.
"Over the years, my training became much more science-based," he explains. "My philosophy with lifting is that training should be fun and benefit your health. In college, I learned how much impact a healthy lifestyle has on your body. I encourage everyone to be active in ways they find enjoyable and sustainable."
Hunter emphasizes the importance of longevity in strength training. "It’s not just about lifting heavy—it’s about moving well, staying healthy, and making this a lifestyle. Strength is something that should serve you, not break you down."
From a College Mustache to the Competitive Stage
Hunter’s mustache journey began his sophomore year of college—not with a goal of competing, but simply as a way to stand out.
"I just loved having a different look than other people, and what better way than a handlebar mustache?" he shares. "I never grew it out very long, just long enough to have a little curl to it."
That all changed when two key figures entered his life: a man named Shan, whom he met through social media, and Levi from Death Grip Wax.
"Levi wanted me to be a part of the Death Grip Brotherhood for the 2022 National Beard and Mustache Competition. How could I say no to that?" Hunter recalls.
Walking onto the stage for the first time at Nationals in 2022 was surreal. "I was so overwhelmed at the people and the community," he says. "I can hardly say how I felt walking out on stage—it still feels like a dream that I was up there. I never expected to win or even place. Walking around with that second-place ribbon was crazy to me."
Since then, Hunter has taken competition more seriously, refining his techniques and experimenting with different styling products and methods to ensure his mustache remains a standout feature on the competitive stage.
Learning from the Best Handlebar Mustache Stylers
Hunter credits several people with influencing his mustache styling and lifting journeys.
"For mustache styling, I was heavily influenced by Josiah and Bob and Elliott Norris. I found I styled more like Josiah, but Bob has helped me a ton with the content side of things and tips on how to best style my mustache," he explains.
On the lifting side, Hunter looks up to athletes like Mitch Hooper, Lucas Hatton, and his current coach, Daniel DeBrocke. "I also spend a fair amount of time talking to some local athletes and event directors to broaden my knowledge in the sport and training."
Surrounding himself with experienced mentors has been key in both fields. "It’s one thing to learn through trial and error, but having people who have been there before you makes the learning process so much faster."
Hunter Kelly: Overcoming the Early Mustache Challenges
Starting out, Hunter struggled with mustache styling.
"I had no clue what I was doing," he admits. "I was using hair pomade in my mustache because I didn't know mustache wax existed. Then when I found out about wax, I had no idea how to get it out. It was about five months in before I knew to use heat to help pre-shape the mustache."
Then came Death Grip Wax. "I first heard about Death Grip when y’all reached out to me to send me some products in the early stage of my journey," Hunter recalls. "After using many different waxes, I loved Death Grip the best. When I was asked to join y’all at Nationals, I was eager to agree. Another reason I wanted to be a part of the Brotherhood is because of the family-like community. Everyone in the Brotherhood is kind and caring and always willing to help each other."
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The Present: Training, Competing & The Death Grip Brotherhood
Today, Hunter trains five days a week, focusing on building muscle and size with the goal of returning to competition.
"My main goal is to compete on bigger stages in Strongman and become a professional Strongman," he shares.
For Hunter, lifting and mustache competitions complement each other perfectly. "Mustaches and Strongman go together like peanut butter and jelly," he says. "When you think of old-school strongmen, you can picture the big bald guy with an enormous mustache lifting heavy weights over his head. Having the mustache as a talking point allows me to talk about health and fitness and get more people being active as well as growing both the facial hair and Strongman communities."
Hunter’s mustache grooming routine is straightforward. "Right now, my mustache routine is as simplistic as I can get it," he says. "I do a lot of natural styling with little wax, mainly because I’m so limited on time in the mornings. On competition days, I take time to shower and style—never rushing the process. I listen to some calm music and work to get the hairs exactly where I want them before heading out."
His favorite mustache reactions? "It's hard for me to pick one. So many people react to my mustache daily. Some of my favorites are when people whisper, 'Did you see that mustache?' or my family and friends’ reactions to conversations I have with strangers in public."
Hunter Kelly Looking Ahead: Goals & The Brotherhood’s Future
Hunter doesn’t have a specific strength benchmark in mind. "I enjoy building my strength and being in and around competitions," he says. "Becoming a Pro Strongman would be a pretty cool title to have."
For mustache competitions, the next big event on his radar is the World Beard and Mustache Championship. "I have not fully committed to a style yet, so serious training has not yet begun," he shares.
As for the Death Grip Brotherhood, Hunter sees it growing into something bigger. "My vision for the Death Grip Brotherhood is a community that builds each other up and could eventually have its own competitions. I love having a community that is based so heavily on mustaches. I want to contribute in any way I can."
Hunter Kelly’s journey is one of resilience, strength, and style. Whether lifting in Strongman competitions or styling the perfect mustache, he embodies the values of the Death Grip Brotherhood—dedication, camaraderie, and an unwavering commitment to the craft.
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