In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Simon Lafontant. At 372 pounds, Simon went viral with a promise to the internet: he would step on a bodybuilding stage one year later. He tells the full story behind that video, and what it was like when millions of strangers turned his transformation into a spectator sport.

Brian and Simon break down how he lost 105 pounds in six months. He used social media to hold himself accountable, ate the same simple meals for months on end, and never missed a cardio session. Simon also talks about the parts most transformation stories leave out. He made mistakes with steroids early on, found out his testosterone had bottomed out, and started TRT. Being completely open about all of it helped him grow, but it also brought backlash. If you’ve ever been crushed by one negative comment after a hundred compliments, this part will hit home.

Then the conversation goes deeper. Simon opens up about living with Crohn’s disease. He ruptured his colon and spent seven months in the hospital, going through 11 colorectal surgeries. That trauma became his reason to “live a life worth living.” He and Brian talk about loose skin removal surgery and what it changed for his confidence and his physique. Simon also explains what he’s doing with the $100,000 he won at the Summer Shredding Classic: paying for someone else’s skin removal surgery and building an app to help people lose weight for good.

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

On this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Hafthor Bjornsson.

They discuss Brian’s weight loss and Thor’s return to strongman after boxing. Thor talks about how quickly his strength came back, tearing his pec, and how long it took to feel good again.

They get into Thor’s 515 kg deadlift attempts and why he pulled out of the Rogue Invitational. Thor is taking some time to recover and is honest about not knowing whether he wants to compete next year. He hasn’t announced his retirement, but his priorities have changed.

Brian and Thor also talk about spending time with their families, the demands of competing, and knowing when to back off in training. Brian gives an update on arm wrestling, and Thor shares his interest in doing more acting.

Thor also tells the story of signing up for his first strongman show the day before the competition, showing up without equipment, and borrowing gear from the other guys between events.

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

On this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, I am joined by bodybuilding legend Lee Priest.

Lee came out to train with us, and we covered a lot in this one. We start with training and why he thinks the idea that you are overtraining after 45 minutes in the gym is nonsense. Lee talks about learning to train hard, keeping bodybuilding simple, and why having fun in the gym still matters.

From there, Lee shares how He-Man, Rocky IV, and his grandfather got him started in bodybuilding. He won his first shows at 13, won Mr. Australia at 17, came to the United States for what was supposed to be a two-week trip, and ended up signing a deal with Joe Weider.

We also talk about the side of bodybuilding that most people do not see. Lee tells the story of pushing for Olympia athletes outside the top 10 to be paid, his suspensions from the IFBB, and why he has always been willing to speak up when he felt athletes were being treated unfairly.

The conversation also gets personal. Lee opens up about his family, the loss of his grandfather, the people he has lost over the years, the difficult moments he has been through, and why he tries to make the most of every day.

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