#350 THE UNDERRATED KEY TO STRENGTH | Tim Ingram & The Texas Boys

We welcome Austin Andrade, Nicholas Guardione, and Tim Ingram to this episode of Dave Tate's Table Talk Podcast!

 

Get ready for a powerhouse episode as Dave Tate sits down with two of the strongest rising stars in the sport—Austin "SMASH" Andrade and Nicholas Guardione—alongside their elite coach, Tim Ingram, owner of Heavy Metal Fitness in San Antonio, TX, widely regarded as one of the strongest gyms in America.

 

At 31 years old and weighing 390 lbs, Austin Andrade has made a massive impact on the Strongman scene. In 2024, he placed 7th at World’s Strongest Man and 5th at Strongest Man on Earth, building on wins at the 2023 Shaw Classic and World’s Strongest Latino. His highlight reel includes a 1,000 lb deadlift at Giants Live 2024. Proud of his Mexican heritage, Austin is driven to represent both Mexico and the USA on the world stage. Outside the gym, he shares life with his wife, Maisy, and their two dogs, Bruno and Baya. Follow him on Instagram @smash__andrade and YouTube via TheTexasBoys11.

 

Nicholas Guardione, 30, stands 6’5” and brings both size and skill to the sport. In 2024 alone, he won the Official Strongman Games World Championship, took first at the Arnold Amateur, and placed second at the Shaw Classic Open. His elite lifts include a 410 kg wagon wheel deadlift and a 380 kg log clean and press. Deeply connected to his Italian roots, Nicholas also celebrates a new chapter in life with his wife, Emma. He and Austin document their training and competitions on their shared YouTube channel TheTexasBoys11. Follow Nicholas on Instagram @nickguardione.

 

At the core of their success is Tim Ingram, the founder of Heavy Metal Fitness. Tim holds a BS in Kinesiology (cum laude) from Texas A&M San Antonio and earned the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. Over the past 11 years, he has built a reputation for developing national and world-level athletes in Strongman, powerlifting, and jujitsu. Heavy Metal Fitness has produced an Arnold-qualified Strongman every year since 2016, and Tim takes pride in cultivating talent from the ground up—many of his athletes first learned how to lift within his walls.

 

Beyond the gym, Tim is a dedicated family man. He is married to Michelle Martinez, and together they raise their two sons, Timmy and Troy Ingram. This family foundation mirrors the values he instills in his training—discipline, loyalty, and perseverance.

 

 Follow Heavy Metal Fitness on IG: @heavymetalfit

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