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.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

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.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

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.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