Australian strongman Jaden Tyson Laing, ranked the third strongest man in Australia in the under-105kg division, has made a heartfelt return to Samoa, not just to reconnect with his roots, but to give back in a big way.

Laing, who first visited the country while filming Australian Survivor Titans VS Rebels, is exploring Samoa for the first time on his terms. 

“I’m just so grateful for my Samoan heritage,” he said. “Being Samoan has allowed me to be honest, excel within my career and everything that I’ve done in life.

Laing's late grandfather, Mika Pauoa was Samoan. 

“We actually don’t really know anything about our Samoan side,” he said. “Maybe not this trip, but the next one I come back, I’m going to actually do some research and try and find where they are.”

During his visit back on home soil, Laing and his team handed out 100 Big Mac meals at the local bus stops in Apia, hosted a strongman workshop at Fatutoa CrossFit, and visited the Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG). But one of the most impactful moments came at Leififi College on Friday, where he surprised staff and students with a donation of SAT$10,000.

“When we met all the school kids… they’re coming up to me telling me they love watching my videos and it just means the world to me,” Laing said. “I wanted to come back and give back.”

The funds will go directly to the school’s Parent-Teacher Association to support the ongoing construction of a school hall. “This $10,000 will go straight to the PTA committee, who are working on fundraising for the [school] hall,” said school principal Sifuiva Malaea Lauano, who was grateful for the generous donation. 

The visit was coordinated through local NGO Brown Girl Woke, whose founder, Maluseu Doris Tulifau, said Laing’s support was sparked by the students’ weightlifting program. 

“He came this morning to do a talk, and he was motivated,” Tulifau said. “The donation will help pay the weightlifting students’ fees and go toward building the hall.

While he won’t compete in this year’s Pacific Strongest competition due to prior commitments, including the World’s Strongest Man later this year.

Laing says his connection to Samoa and its people is only growing stronger.

“Anything that I can do to help here, I’m going to try my best to do it.”