SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST

Brian Shaw

Hosted by Brian Shaw, 2023 Strongest Man on Earth, 4 times World's Strongest Man Champion, and the most successful American Professional Strongman ever. Topics will range from Strongman and strength sports, nutrition advice, positive mindset, overcoming adversity, and comedy moments in lifting. 

  1. 14 Aug

    105. I SHOULD BE DEAD FT. KENTUCKY BALLISTICS *50 BMG EXPLOSION*

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian goes on the road and sits down with Scott DeShields Jr., better known as Kentucky Ballistics, for one of the most intense conversations we have ever recorded. On April 9th, 2021, Scott loaded what he believed was ordinary military surplus ammunition into a .50 caliber rifle. It had degraded into something closer to a bomb. When he pulled the trigger, the gun came apart in his hands. Scott walks through the entire story for the first time in this kind of detail. The cap that broke his cheekbone, orbital bone, and nose and blinded him in one eye. The piece of steel that went through his throat, sliced his jugular, and stopped in his right lung. His father running up and telling him there was a hole in his neck. The decision to pack his own throat with his shirt and drive his thumb in up to the knuckle, and the nine minutes across two creeks and a field to get to town while he fought to stay conscious and kept seeing his kids' faces every time everything went black. From there, Brian and Scott get into the parts of the story most people have never heard. The chest tube the doctor could not get through his rib cage. The moment his wife watched his number disappear from the surgery board and believed he had died. Being opened up with a bone saw, the warning that he would likely come out of surgery having had a stroke, and the strange, peaceful place he says he woke up in while he was under. Scott is careful and honest about that last part, including the years he has spent questioning it himself. The conversation also covers what got him there. Building Kentucky Ballistics from a bored state trooper filming on a borrowed camera into one of the biggest channels in the space, quitting a career his family told him not to leave, and the ego and the drift that came with the money and the growth. Scott is direct about what he thinks that day was and why he now says that if he could go back and stop it, he would not. 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

  2. 7 Aug

    104. COULD THIS BE THE END OF FREE WEIGHTS FT. COOPER MITCHELL

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Coop Mitchell from Garage Gym Reviews for a conversation that goes way beyond gym equipment. They kick things off by exploring a surprising question: could insurance companies eventually influence how we train? If digital resistance equipment can prove it leads to fewer injuries, could traditional gyms end up paying more for insurance and slowly move away from free weights? It sounds far-fetched, but it's an interesting look at the kinds of forces that can quietly shape an entire industry. From there, Brian and Coop dive into what makes great strength equipment stand the test of time. They talk about York's legendary legacy, why Rogue has become the modern benchmark for American-made equipment, and why some plates and dumbbells just feel right the second you use them. Brian also shares how training with Charles Poliquin changed the way he approaches activation, rotating handles, thick grips, and micro-loading, and why paying attention to the little details can make a huge difference when it's time to perform. They also talk about building trust in the fitness industry. Coop shares how Garage Gym Reviews grew from writing simple equipment reviews into one of the most trusted voices in the space by always putting the audience first. The conversation wraps up with home gyms, raising kids around hard work, and why making fitness part of everyday family life can have a lasting impact. 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

  3. 3 Jul

    103. FUELING THE BEAST FT. NATHAN PAYTON

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Nathan Payton to break down what it actually takes to build a nutrition plan that works in real life—not just on paper. Most diets don’t fail because of a lack of willpower, they fail because they were never designed around the chaos of work, family, travel, and stress. Nathan, a longtime strongman nutrition coach who helped dial in Brian’s own approach, explains how to build structure that actually holds up when life gets busy. We dive into the “good, better, best” framework for making smarter food choices without chasing perfection, plus simple, repeatable meal prep systems that keep you consistent without living in the kitchen. Cook your basics in bulk, layer in flavor fast, and make it work for the whole household—no separate diet meals, no overcomplication. From there, we get into the mindset side of nutrition: treating food as fuel while still understanding cravings, emotional eating, and the reality of human behavior. Then it goes deeper into coaching, discipline, and performance—why your “why” fades, how self-awareness changes everything, and why flexibility is often the difference between short-term effort and long-term results. 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

  4. 18 Jun

    101. ENFORCING STRONGMAN COMPETITION RULES FT. ROBERT OBERST

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian Shaw sits down for a conversation that starts off with some laughs and an arm wrestling challenge, but quickly turns into a real discussion about resilience, competition, and what it actually takes to push through pain. Brian talks about how injuries can completely change the way your body works—from strength imbalances and nerve issues to numbness and even how something as simple as your sleeping position can cause problems over time. For anyone involved in strongman, powerlifting, or strength sports, this episode gives a real look at the constant battle between staying healthy and staying competitive. One of the biggest moments in the episode is Brian’s story from World's Strongest Man 2012, when his hand suddenly stopped working and he lost feeling in his grip. He opens up about the uncertainty, the frustration, and the mental battle of not knowing if things would ever fully recover—while still stepping up to compete. The conversation also covers competitive fairness through the power stairs controversy, and how important clear rules and accountability are in sport. To close things out, Brian and the hosts talk about parenting, bullying, and the lessons sports can teach kids about confidence, discipline, and standing up for themselves. 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

  5. 2 Jun

    100. MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR FIVE GUYS EMPIRE TO EVW OWNER FT. ROBERT BAXTER

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, host Brian Shaw sits down with Robert Baxter, owner of East vs West, to talk about his incredible journey through business, real estate, franchising, and arm wrestling. Robert shares stories from some of the biggest opportunities and challenges of his career, including high-pressure real estate deals, expanding the Five Guys brand into Canada, and the lessons he learned while building businesses from the ground up. He talks about the risks, setbacks, and decisions that helped shape his success, as well as the mindset required to keep moving forward when the stakes are high. The conversation also explores Robert’s lifelong connection to arm wrestling, how competition influenced his approach to business, and what eventually led him to become the owner of East vs West. Along the way, he offers practical insights on leadership, consistency, and the value of staying committed to a long-term vision. 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

  6. 22 May

    99. THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST GUN DISARM FT. VICTOR MARX

    In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, host Brian Shaw sits down with Victor Marx for a powerful conversation about overcoming trauma, protecting children, and fighting for accountability. Victor shares his incredible life story, from surviving severe childhood abuse to building a life focused on faith, resilience, and helping others. The conversation dives into trauma recovery, the long-term effects of fear and shame, and what true healing looks like after hardship. Brian and Victor also discuss the realities of child exploitation investigations, the mental toll on law enforcement, and the importance of supporting those working to protect children. Victor opens up about his family’s personal experience with sexual assault, the pursuit of justice, and the challenges families face within the legal system. The episode also explores broader topics including public safety, parental rights, education transparency, accountability, and leadership in today’s world. 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

  7. 8 May

    98. INSIDE LOOK AT EAST VS WEST ARM WRESTLING OFFICIATING FT. LUKE PULSCHER

    On this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Luke Pulscher, the head referee for East vs West, to talk about the side of arm wrestling fans rarely get to see, officiating at the highest level. One bad angle or one split-second decision can turn a correct call into a controversy that lives forever online. Luke breaks down what it’s really like standing on stage with thousands of eyes watching every move, the speed referees have to operate at, the limits of replay, and how officials handle pressure when the entire internet thinks they saw something different. We also dive into Luke’s personal journey, growing up on a South Dakota farm, overcoming being the “fat kid,” and discovering strength and confidence through arm wrestling. From pulling in bars and local tournaments to becoming one of the most respected referees in the sport, his path wasn’t traditional. Outside of arm wrestling, Luke shares his experiences working as an arborist, developing a passion for personal finance, and building a career helping others plan for their future while still enjoying life today. On the sport side, we go deep into referee training, earning and maintaining an international master rating, how the East vs West replay system has evolved, and what it takes to build a strong officiating team. We talk missed calls, camera placement, social media criticism, and the responsibility referees carry to protect the integrity of competition. 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

About

Hosted by Brian Shaw, 2023 Strongest Man on Earth, 4 times World's Strongest Man Champion, and the most successful American Professional Strongman ever. Topics will range from Strongman and strength sports, nutrition advice, positive mindset, overcoming adversity, and comedy moments in lifting. 

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