SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST

91. 420 LB BULLIED KID TO TO INTERNATIONAL PRO ARM WRESTLER FT. FILIP LARSSON

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: 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

90. SPORTS BETTING IS DESTROYING THE NFL FT. DEREK WOLFE

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: 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

89. TRAINING FOR THE UNKNOWN & LIFE BEYOND COMPETITION FT. JOSH BRIDGES

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: 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

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