‘I have MS and I’m an International Strongman athlete – anything is possible’

Chris Harper, 34, from Glasgow was diagnosed over 10 years ago but now competes as an International Strongman athlete, proving you can live with multiple sclerosis (MS) and still ‘pursue extraordinary goals’.

I was first diagnosed over 10 years ago, experiencing a lot of loss of sensation on the right-hand side of my body and a lot of weakness in my right leg.

Fortunately, I was able to have the doctors investigate the possibility of having MS quite quickly after my first visit but unfortunately this is due to both parents also having MS (one relapse and remission, like myself, and one with progressive).

Whilst I know it isn’t hereditary; they still investigated the possibility straight away.

During this time, I initially found it quite tough as I have always been active and at this point still played amateur football and regularly went to the gym, which I became unable to do until my symptoms eased off.

Over the 11 years I have had three bigger relapses which resulted in me struggling to use my right arm and leg fully and lasted a few months before easing off again. In between these times I have symptoms come and go regularly such as loss of sensation or strange sensations, some slight weakness and feeling quite fatigued but fortunately at these times it is more of an inconvenience and annoying rather than stopping me from being able to go about my normal daily tasks.

Being diagnosed with MS has presented many challenges, but I have refused to let the condition define my limits.

Through determination, training, and resilience, I have earned the opportunity to compete at one of the biggest stages in Strongman. I am aiming to become the first person within my weight class to have won the title of World’s Strongest Man twice, having previously won it in 2023.

Unfortunately, in 2024 I was unable to successfully defend my title as I was fighting through a relapse at the time that gave me significant weakness on the right side of my body but still battled to a fourth-place finish.

My journey demonstrates that people living with MS can continue to pursue extraordinary goals despite the obstacles they face.

I am a big believer in strength training and a relatively healthy lifestyle being a major influence in helping me try to live as normal a life as possible and I am committed to sharing my story.

I try to help inspire others living with MS while highlighting the importance of the work MS-UK does.

A quick overview of a few of my biggest achievements to date have been winning Europe’s and World’s Strongest Man in the Under 80kg category as well as breaking various world records which I still currently hold two within my weight class.

In September this year I will also be competing in Scotland’s Strongest Man Open weight class Final in which I am by far the lightest person to ever manage to qualify.

I 100% believe strength training and a relatively healthy lifestyle helps me with my diagnosis, even if it was just the mental side of things, it helps bring a sense of positivity towards things and a belief that you will be able to tackle any challenges that it might throw at you!

Along with this, having an amazing partner who not only gives me so much support but brings a light-hearted outlook to things that makes it far easier to laugh and joke about symptoms when they arrive rather than letting them affect my mood negatively.

This year’s World’s Strongest Man will be held in Florida, so I must manage the heat. Thankfully, it is the end of November so although it will be hot, it won’t be too unbearable. I usually just take steps to try to keep myself cool as much as possible, things like sticking to shade, making sure I stay well hydrated and even taking regular breaks to try and reduce any fatigue.

This diagnosis doesn’t have to mean that you can’t still push and try to achieve things that you want in life.

Yes, it may make some harder, but it definitely makes them so much more rewarding when you manage it.

Read more about why exercise is so vital for helping with MS in our trusted Choices booklet