In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Ed Coan, widely regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time, to unpack what real, lasting progress actually looks like. Ed breaks down the foundation of his success: simple training cycles executed with ruthless honesty, an obsession with closing weaknesses, and the discipline to play the long game. No gimmicks. No noise. Just principles that stand the test of time.

Brian and Ed dive into old-school lifting culture, basement gyms, boiler rooms, and training environments where accountability wasn’t optional. You showed up on time. You loaded plates. You cleaned up. If you didn’t contribute, you didn’t lift. That culture built resilient athletes who chased better reps, not attention.

Ed lays out lessons that are as practical as they are powerful: keep the plan simple, track how training feels, not just how it looks, and relentlessly bring up weak points so nothing breaks under heavy load. If one social media post can derail your 12-week cycle, you didn’t have a plan, you had distraction. He also speaks candidly about health, past mistakes with anti-inflammatories, and why bloodwork, sleep, and nutrition ultimately matter more than any number on the bar if you want longevity in the sport.

They also get into equipment, why certain old Nautilus and Nebula machines still hold value, how tools like the Sorinex Back Attack can build the posterior chain safely, and when specialty bars actually earn their place in a program. The episode closes on a bigger theme: trophies fade, but relationships, habits, and character remain. Respect strength. Build your circle wisely. Let your work speak for itself.

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 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