First openly Gay pro strongman Rob Kearney marries his boyfriend

Rob Kearney — often celebrated as “the world’s strongest gay” — has officially tied the knot with his long-time partner, Joey Aleixo, marking a historic and heartfelt moment not just for the strongman world, but for the global gay bear communities.

The couple, both athletes and life partners, first connected in 2014 through Grindr. At the time, Rob was already making a name for himself on the international strongman circuit, while still coming to terms with his identity. A simple, sincere message from Joey sparked something powerful. “Luckily, he messaged me first,” Rob would later say with a laugh, emphasizing that it wasn’t about looks — Joey reached out because he was genuinely interested in conversation.

Their bond quickly deepened, evolving into a strong and loving relationship that was, by all measures, unbreakable. That love story culminated in a weekend for the history books in March 2019. On March 16, Rob competed in the Arnold Pro Strongman event in Melbourne, Australia, where he dominated the field and claimed first place — earning himself a spot at the prestigious 2020 Arnold Strongman Classic World Championship, co-founded by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger himself.

But the real highlight of the weekend came the following day. On March 17, in an intimate beachside ceremony at the picturesque Half Moon Bay Beach near Melbourne, Rob and Joey exchanged vows. With only their closest friends and family present, the ceremony was quiet, sincere, and stunningly romantic. The couple wore matching white shirts, navy shorts, and loafers — simple, yet perfectly suited for the seaside setting. “We didn’t make a big fuss about it, but today we officially got married!” Rob shared joyfully.

Though Schwarzenegger couldn’t attend the wedding due to a packed schedule, he made sure to honor the couple in a big way. He treated them to a private yacht cruise around Melbourne followed by a celebratory dinner. “This is a first — someone wins the Arnold Strongman and gets married in the same weekend. Congratulations, guys. It was an honor to celebrate with you!” said Schwarzenegger.

For Rob and Joey, the moment was more than just a personal milestone. Their marriage became a beacon of representation and pride in a world where queer visibility in hypermasculine sports is still rare. As the first openly gay man to compete in top-tier strongman competitions, Rob has become a symbol of strength in every sense of the word — proving that love and power are not mutually exclusive, but beautifully intertwined.

The couple now lives in Massachusetts, where they co-own and operate a CrossFit gym. United in life and in lifting, Rob and Joey continue to support one another through every new challenge, inspiring others along the way — especially those in the gay bear and gay athletic communities. Their love is strong. Their message is clear: you can be powerful, proud, and out — and you never have to choose between your strength and your truth.