SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST

88. ENGINEERING STRENGTH FT. TYLER HOBSON

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: askbrian@shawstrength.comPodcast 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

87. THE STORY BEHIND THE SHAW CLASSIC FT. KERI SHAW

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: askbrian@shawstrength.comPodcast 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

86. HOMELESSNESS TO HEAVYWEIGHT PRO FT. NICK GUARDIONE

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with pro strongman Nick Guardione to explore the wins that don’t come with trophies, the 50-pound PRs, the calmer mind under bright lights, and a training log filled with solutions instead of excuses. At the heart of the conversation is Nick’s journey, a story that starts with loss and adversity and ends with a clear, deliberate plan to keep climbing in the pro ranks. We unpack Nick’s early obsessions, the moment life collapsed, and the friend who dragged him to the gym until it became a lifeline. From there, it’s a masterclass in process: how six months of focused newbie gains turned into a dominant novice debut, why “punching up” against harder fields accelerates growth, and how he studies every contest to find the exact fix for the next block. Nick shares the mental framework that keeps him steady—clearing distractions, checking equipment, and protecting the flow state—so he can go all-in when it counts.We also dive into the spectacle that makes strongman special. Visual events, character, and tension bring new fans to feats of strength; innovation matters even when the internet nitpicks. We talk candidly about risk, backlash, and owning a vision for a sport that needs both heavy lifts and memorable moments. Along the way, you’ll hear why a “last place” deadlift can be a massive personal victory, how to measure progress without losing sight of the podium, and what Nick is building this offseason to push toward Worlds finals and consistent top-five finishes.If you care about mindset, performance, and the craft of competing—this conversation is your playbook. Listen, share with a friend who needs the push, and leave a review so more lifters find it. Then tell us: what punch-up are you taking next?

85. THE TRAINING SESSIONS THAT BUILT CHAMPIONS FT. TYLER STICKLE

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian welcomes his longtime training partner, Tyler Stickle, a familiar face from many of Brian's YouTube videos. The conversation spans their lengthy shared history, beginning in the late 2010s when they started training together in various makeshift gyms, including Brian's parents garage, a storage area behind a fitness center, and brians storage condo. Tyler recounts his path to Strongman, starting as a "skater kid" who enjoyed snowboarding and eventually transitioned from amateur bodybuilding to powerlifting after winning a state bench press championship, before ultimately entering into his first Strongman contest where he won the novice 105kg class. Tyler and Brian reminisce about the rigorous, close-door training sessions leading up to Brian's first World's Strongest Man victory in 2011, emphasizing the value of their tightly-knit training group, the competitive spirit of "iron sharpens iron," and how that focused environment, free from social media distractions and often battling extreme temperatures, was critical to both of their respective successes, including Tyler earning his Pro 105kg card in 2012. 

84. CREATING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GYM EQUIPMENT EMPIRE FT. STEVEN HARVALIAS

On this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Steven Harvalias, owner of Super Fitness, to explore the unconventional journey of building his fitness equipment business. Steven shares his early struggles as a young bodybuilder who opened his first gym in 2006 with just a motorcycle and $10,000 during the economic downturn. Facing near financial failure, he began selling used gym equipment piece by piece on Craigslist, uncovering a market need for accessible fitness gear. He also discusses a pivotal meeting with his landlord and a handshake deal for a larger warehouse that allowed him to scale his business into a multi-million-dollar gym equipment empire.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: askbrian@shawstrength.comPodcast 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