In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian Shaw sits down with strongman veteran, World’s Strongest Man podium finisher, and longtime friend Laurence Shahlaei for a powerful conversation about resilience, competition, and perspective both inside and outside of strength sports.

Laurence shares the story of a sudden car accident that turned an ordinary drive into a life-changing moment, leading to a hospital visit and a renewed appreciation for what truly matters. The discussion centers on gratitude, family, and how experiences like this can reset priorities and reshape how athletes approach both training and life.

From there, Brian and Laurence dive deep into elite strongman competition — breaking down the most competitive World’s Strongest Man eras, how event order and contest conditions influence results, and why comparing athletes across generations isn’t as simple as looking at numbers on a score sheet. Laurence opens up about overcoming major injuries throughout his career, the challenges of rebuilding confidence after setbacks, and the reality of returning to competition when your body has taken serious damage.

The conversation also looks toward life after peak competition, including coaching, staying goal-driven, and supporting family through new challenges. Brian and Laurence discuss preparation, tapering, and how lessons learned in strongman continue to apply to new competitive arenas, along with insights into the technical and mental side of arm wrestling.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian Shaw sits down with elite arm wrestler Brandon Allen for an honest conversation about preparation, competition, and what it really takes to walk into a high-pressure supermatch.

Brian and Brandon dive into how arm wrestling training differs from strongman and powerlifting, breaking down tapering, recovery, staying technically sharp, and finding the balance between pushing hard and showing up fresh on match day. They also look back at their own match from earlier in the year, talking through key moments, setup decisions, and the mental side of competition that starts long before you ever grip up at the table.

Brandon shares stories from training alongside some of the best in the sport including Devon Larratt, Eric Spoto, and Michael Todd  and what he’s learned about preparation, pressure, and staying ready when small details make the biggest difference.

The conversation shifts beyond training into fatherhood, responsibility, and the lessons both athletes are trying to pass on to their kids. From discipline and respect to navigating social media and outside opinions, Brian and Brandon talk openly about how becoming fathers has changed their perspective on competition, success, and life outside the gym.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with longtime friend, World’s Strongest Man finalist, and strongman veteran Terry Hollands for an honest conversation about life after elite competition. After more than a decade competing at the highest level, Terry shares what happens when contest prep is no longer the center of your life and how challenging it can be to rebuild structure, purpose, and daily routine after retiring from professional strongman.

Brian and Terry dive into training after strongman, managing injuries, and staying consistent when work, family, and recovery begin to take priority over competition. Terry breaks down what his training looks like today, including working around a stubborn knee injury, rotating push and pull sessions, and building a home gym setup that removes excuses. The conversation also revisits the chaotic 2010 strongman season — nonstop contests around the world, chasing prize money, recognizing early injury warning signs, and the biceps tear that ultimately changed the direction of his career.

The discussion then shifts into a new challenge both athletes are pursuing: arm wrestling. Brian and Terry talk about the technical depth of the sport, why setup and positioning often matter more than raw strength, and how larger athletes must adapt to leverage, table dynamics, and strategy. Terry shares what drew him to arm wrestling, the competitive atmosphere surrounding tournaments, and the process of earning respect in a completely new strength discipline. Brian also previews his upcoming match with Leonidas and what it may reveal about where he currently stands in the sport.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with longtime friend, World’s Strongest Man finalist, and strongman veteran Terry Hollands for an honest conversation about life after elite competition. After more than a decade competing at the highest level, Terry shares what happens when contest prep is no longer the center of your life and how challenging it can be to rebuild structure, purpose, and daily routine after retiring from professional strongman.

Brian and Terry dive into training after strongman, managing injuries, and staying consistent when work, family, and recovery begin to take priority over competition. Terry breaks down what his training looks like today, including working around a stubborn knee injury, rotating push and pull sessions, and building a home gym setup that removes excuses. The conversation also revisits the chaotic 2010 strongman season — nonstop contests around the world, chasing prize money, recognizing early injury warning signs, and the biceps tear that ultimately changed the direction of his career.

The discussion then shifts into a new challenge both athletes are pursuing: arm wrestling. Brian and Terry talk about the technical depth of the sport, why setup and positioning often matter more than raw strength, and how larger athletes must adapt to leverage, table dynamics, and strategy. Terry shares what drew him to arm wrestling, the competitive atmosphere surrounding tournaments, and the process of earning respect in a completely new strength discipline. Brian also previews his upcoming match with Leonidas and what it may reveal about where he currently stands in the sport.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this virtual episode of the Brian Shaw Podcast, Brian sits down with arm wrestling legend Devon Larratt to talk about two huge upcoming matches and what it takes to prepare at the highest level. Brian is getting ready to travel to Germany to face Leonidas on his home turf, while Devon is focused on a right hand battle against one of the most dangerous athletes in the sport, Vitaly Laletin.

Brian shares a big realization from his training over the past couple of years. For a long time he was unknowingly limiting his own power with rigid cues, but once he started focusing on connecting everything from his hand through his shoulder and into his core, it completely changed how his strength carries over to the arm wrestling table. Instead of chasing bigger numbers in the gym, the focus now is on movements and angles that actually translate to competition.

Devon also breaks down the challenge of facing Vitaly and why the matchup is so difficult. Vitaly’s top roll and explosive shoulder commitment make him a very unique problem. Devon explains how important it is to control the wrist early, survive that initial hit, and then make adjustments as the match develops. With six weeks of focused preparation, the goal is to show up healthy, sharp, and ready.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Ed Coan, widely regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time, to unpack what real, lasting progress actually looks like. Ed breaks down the foundation of his success: simple training cycles executed with ruthless honesty, an obsession with closing weaknesses, and the discipline to play the long game. No gimmicks. No noise. Just principles that stand the test of time.

Brian and Ed dive into old-school lifting culture, basement gyms, boiler rooms, and training environments where accountability wasn’t optional. You showed up on time. You loaded plates. You cleaned up. If you didn’t contribute, you didn’t lift. That culture built resilient athletes who chased better reps, not attention.

Ed lays out lessons that are as practical as they are powerful: keep the plan simple, track how training feels, not just how it looks, and relentlessly bring up weak points so nothing breaks under heavy load. If one social media post can derail your 12-week cycle, you didn’t have a plan, you had distraction. He also speaks candidly about health, past mistakes with anti-inflammatories, and why bloodwork, sleep, and nutrition ultimately matter more than any number on the bar if you want longevity in the sport.

They also get into equipment, why certain old Nautilus and Nebula machines still hold value, how tools like the Sorinex Back Attack can build the posterior chain safely, and when specialty bars actually earn their place in a program. The episode closes on a bigger theme: trophies fade, but relationships, habits, and character remain. Respect strength. Build your circle wisely. Let your work speak for itself.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Filip Larsson to break down a transformation that goes far beyond weight loss. From being bullied as a kid and weighing 420 pounds to dropping 170 pounds in 14 months without surgery, Filip shares how discipline reshaped not just his body, but his identity. After a devastating motorcycle crash, multiple torn pecs and tendons, and ten surgeries, he rebuilt himself again, this time smarter, using better programming, patience, and regenerative treatments to bring his body back from the brink.

That resilience carried him to the arm wrestling table, where within months he was taking rounds off veterans and soon competing on the East vs West stage. Filip explains how arm wrestling isn’t about brute strength, but leverage, connection, and precision, turning horsepower into pressure that actually reaches the hand. Brian and Filip dive into mindset, mind games, earning confidence, and what it really takes to transition from strength sports into a combat-strength arena where there’s no hiding, just win or lose.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Brian Shaw Podcast, Brian sits down with Super Bowl champion and former NFL defensive standout Derek Wolfe to break down what it really takes to dominate in two of the most brutal arenas in sport—the NFL trenches and the world of elite strength competition. Derek shares his perspective on how the modern game has evolved, why defensive players must now adapt without the same level of contact, and how pressure—both physical and mental—still defines who wins when it matters most.

Brian and Derek dive deep into training that actually transfers to performance. Derek explains how explosive pulls and Olympic lifts carried over to the line of scrimmage, how wrestling built his engine for repeated six-second bursts, and why sometimes training alone creates a different kind of edge. The conversation covers coaching philosophy, managing effort versus chasing fatigue, dialing in rest intervals, and building sessions that prepare you for chaos—not comfort.

Brian also opens up about strongman strategy at the highest level—managing energy across multi-event competitions, knowing when 80% effort secures maximum points, and staying composed late in medleys when titles are decided. They discuss competitive fairness, leaked event lists, and how elite athletes turn perceived disadvantages into fuel rather than excuses.

From Super Bowl runs to World’s Strongest Man titles, this episode explores confidence without complacency, building a chip you can control, and why the real audit begins the morning after a championship. It’s a conversation about evolution, discipline, and sustaining elite performance long after the spotlight fades.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Josh Bridges, a former Navy SEAL, CrossFit legend, and lifelong competitor, to talk about how elite performance evolves as life demands more than just training. Josh reflects on the early years of living in extremes, trying to be “all athlete” or “all dad,” and how maturity, presence, and perspective reshaped his approach without ever losing his competitive edge.

Brian and Josh dive deep into training for the unknown, smart programming, and lessons learned at the highest level of sport. Josh breaks down his multi-coach approach, building sessions harder than competition, and the importance of pacing, suffering well, and belief under pressure. The conversation also turns toward fairness in event design, behind-the-scenes insight into programming the Rogue Invitational, and the powerful shift that comes with family, raising his boys, navigating his son’s chronic kidney disease, and using the gym as an anchor for long-term health and resilience.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode, Brian sits down with Iron core’s Tyler Hobson to break down how a lifelong obsession with Olympic lifting, physics, and precision turned into some of the most intuitive strength equipment in the game. Tyler explains the pendulum principle, how tempo can make or break a strength curve, and why some machines feel right from the very first rep. From a hip press born out of training around herniated discs to prototypes that get scrapped the moment they fight your leverage, this is a deep dive into ruthless iteration and chasing perfect movement.

We also get real about the cost of craftsmanship. Tyler shares late nights on the shop floor, solo installs for NFL teams, and the moment the grind nearly cost him his family—before he made the decision to rebuild the business around community. That mindset shows up in everything: inch-and-a-half shafts, pillow block bearings, limited runs signed by the builder, and equipment that’s “overbuilt” because feel matters.

Beyond the steel, this episode is about mindset. Gratitude rituals that reset bad days. Leadership that shows up, cleans bathrooms, and earns loyalty. The value of trades, apprenticeships, and doing things the right way when no one’s watching. If you care about strength equipment, small-business grit, or doing hard things at a high level, this one delivers.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with his wife Keri to look back at how the Shaw Classic really started — from a late-night idea in 2020 to one of the toughest strength contests on the planet. They break down the early chaos, the DIY setup in their home gym, and what it was actually like trying to pull off a world-class event in the middle of worldwide shutdowns. From scrambling to get athletes into the country to worrying the whole thing might get them in trouble with the neighborhood, it’s the raw, unfiltered story of building the Shaw Classic from the ground up.

Brian and Keri dig into the athlete-first mindset that drives the entire event, the inspiration taken from legendary contests like Fortissimus, and why the Shaw Classic refuses to shy away from big athlete rosters and brutal events. Keri shares the behind-the-scenes workload most people never see—moving equipment across the country, hand-packing athlete bags, and making sure as much as possible goes straight back into the athletes’ prize purse.

If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/

Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH