SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST

Latest Episodes:

88. ENGINEERING STRENGTH FT. TYLER HOBSON Jan 08, 2026

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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.com
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

87. THE STORY BEHIND THE SHAW CLASSIC FT. KERI SHAW Dec 26, 2025

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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.

86. HOMELESSNESS TO HEAVYWEIGHT PRO FT. NICK GUARDIONE Dec 19, 2025

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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 Dec 12, 2025

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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.

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.com

84. CREATING A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR GYM EQUIPMENT EMPIRE FT. STEVEN HARVALIAS Dec 03, 2025

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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.com
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

83. NEVER SHOW YOUR WEAKNESSES FT. ROBERT OBERST Nov 25, 2025

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In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian and Robert Oberst jump from joking about their coffee orders to having real, honest conversations about parenting, athletics, and the mindset that shaped them as strongmen, including the idea of never showing weakness. They talk about raising tough, well-rounded kids by encouraging them to try new things, stick with their commitments, and avoid specializing in a sport too early. The discussion shifts into their own high school days, with Brian locked in on basketball while Robert took a more relaxed approach to track and field. Things get emotional when they open up about the impact coaches have had on their lives.
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.com
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/

82. THE WOMAN THAT KEEPS SHAW STRENGTH RUNNING FT. KERI SHAW Nov 20, 2025

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In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with his wife, Keri, for a laid-back conversation that covers everything from business to family. They discuss in depth everything Keri handles behind the scenes for the company, like new POs, tax returns, customer emails, customer returns, and all the day-to-day tasks that keep things moving along. They look back on their time as college athletes, with Brian playing basketball and Keri playing soccer, and how they both eventually fell more in love with training than the actual sports. They finish things off by sharing a few parenting stories, from their boys growing up around the gym to the moments they remember from Brian’s Strongman career, and how important it is to show work ethic through actions, not just words.
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.com
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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

81. LIFE AFTER THE NFL FT. JOE KENN Nov 18, 2025

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On this mobile episode of The Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with legendary former NFL strength coach Joe “Big House” Kenn at his North Carolina gym. They discuss Joe’s transition from the highly competitive world of professional football and elite collegiate coaching to the private sector. Joe opens up about the early financial struggles that forced him to stock candy at Costco to support his family, and the difficult decision to leave a high-paying coaching job to launch “Big House Power,” a move driven by self-belief and principle. Joe also reflects on coaching Brian during his final strongman competition prep in 2023, a partnership that helped lead Brian to victory at the Strongest Man on Earth title.

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.com

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/

80. COUNTER TERRORISM TO MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE Ft. BRIAN ALSRUHE Nov 07, 2025

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On this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast Brian Shaw sits down with Brian Alsruhe, a fascinating individual whose background spans counter-terrorism, strongman, and his current mission to become a licensed counselor focusing on men's mental toughness. This episode dives into Alsruhe's belief that modern mental health neglects men, advocating instead for the discipline forged through voluntary hardship.

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.com

79. THE MINDSET BEHIND AN ELITE STRENGTH ATHLETE Ft. BRANDON ALLEN Oct 15, 2025

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In this episode, Brian sits down with former powerlifter and arm wrestler Brandon Allen for an honest conversation about strength, mindset, and the challenges that shape both. Brandon shares his story of moving to Las Vegas, training with Stan Efferding, and what it was like building, and eventually selling, his gym during the chaos of COVID.
Brandon also talks about some of the toughest moments of his life, snapping his patella tendon on a 925 lb squat, getting hit while riding his Harley, and eventually stepping up to arm wrestle Brian at the Strongest Arm on Earth.

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