Ironbound Begins: Filming Bradie Crandall at Critical Mass Gym and The Pit

The first day of filming for Ironbound felt like the start of something inevitable. On February 22, 2025 I drove out early, rented a car for the day, and headed to Critical Mass Gym in Neptune, NJ, owned by Ken Potis and a place built specifically for Ken’s personal training and group classes. The plan was simple: film an in-gym interview with Bradie Crandall, get some b-roll, and then capture Bradie at the Natural Strongman East Coast qualifier held that same day.

Bradie, known in the scene as “Vegan Hercules,” was exactly the kind of athlete this film exists to follow. A former national-level powerlifter and a PhD-level chemical engineer by training, he balances elite athleticism with an academic career and a long-term commitment to plant-based performance. On the day he made the qualifiers look almost easy. Bradie won the under-105kg division, taking first overall and qualifying for the World’s Natural Strongest Man later this year. He won multiple events, deadlifted huge numbers with room to spare, and finished first without having to empty the tank. It was a statement moment for the film, already.

We filmed his interview at Ken’s gym, then moved to competition footage where every event and every rep carried more meaning than mere results. It was proof that conviction and methodical preparation translate to world-class performance. After capturing his competition runs and some raw, candid moments backstage, I had to head back to Brooklyn that evening.

This shoot set the tone: intimate access, uncompromising athletes, and stories that connect personal conviction to podium performance. Bradie’s win that day, and his broader athletic trajectory, underline exactly why Ironbound matters. These athletes are changing perceptions with every lift.