When you think of strength, people often picture hulking figures filled with power. But standing next to Brian Shaw, even the largest bodybuilders appear small.
Bodybuilders look small next to Brian Shaw.
At a towering height of 6 feet 8 inches and weighing 425 pounds (192.7 kg), Brian Shaw – the World’s Strongest Man has a physique that is sure to amaze you.
However, his colossal size is not the only thing that draws attention. Throughout his two-decade career, Brian has pushed the limits of human potential. From pulling trucks to lifting weights double his body weight without breaking a sweat, he has left many questioning the power of human muscle.
Brian has pushed the limits of human potential.
While the average person consumes and burns about 1,600 to 2,200 calories a day, this man can burn thousands of calories. When preparing for a competition, he needs to consume 8,000 calories and lift around 10,000 to 11,000 calories per day during peak training.
Brian Shaw hails from Fort Lupton, a small town in Weld County, Colorado, USA. He was born on February 26, 1982, to Jay and Bonnie Shaw, both of whom are larger than average. Thus, their genetic traits have been passed down to Brian.
Interestingly, during his youth at Fort Lupton High School, he was also known as a basketball player. Brian excelled in basketball to the extent that he received scholarships to play at Otero Junior College and Black Hills State University.
Shaw discovered his passion for weightlifting while practicing basketball. (Illustrative image).
His passion, however, shifted during his college years. Brian Shaw found his love for weightlifting while training to enhance his basketball skills. In the following years, weightlifting became Brian’s primary focus, leading him to pursue a career in strength and fitness, prioritizing it over basketball.
Shaw’s high school basketball coach noted that even while playing basketball, Shaw was drawn to weightlifting and spent time in the gym. His initial interest in weightlifting and strength training became a consistent part of Shaw’s journey in the years that followed. Through the process of weightlifting and building physical strength, Shaw paved the way for long-term success in weightlifting competitions.
Shaw paved the way for long-term success in weightlifting competitions. (Illustrative image).
Shaw’s career began in 2005 when he won the “Strongest Man in Denver” competition in October of that year without any specialized training! Just seven short months later, in June 2006, he competed and earned his professional card by winning the “Strongest Man in Utah” competition. This marked his transition into the ranks of professional strongmen.
He steadily climbed the ranks in the World’s Strongest Man competition, finishing in third place in 2009. Shaw continued to advance, becoming the runner-up in 2010. His dedication was rewarded in 2011 when he won the ultimate title, defeating renowned weightlifter Žydrūnas Savickas to claim the “World’s Strongest Man” title.
Shaw has reached the finals of the “World’s Strongest Man” competition 13 times. (Illustrative image).
Shaw’s muscular strength became even more evident in 2015 when he defeated Savickas again and secured another “World’s Strongest Man” title. He proved that this was not a fluke by defending his title once more. From 2009 to 2021, Shaw reached the finals of the “World’s Strongest Man” competition 13 times.
Additionally, he has won three victories at the legendary Arnold Strongman Classic and twice claimed the title of “Strongest Man in America.” Shaw has also repeatedly shattered the limits of human strength, setting numerous world records in iconic strength tests, such as the deadlift, Atlas stones, and keg toss.
Shaw has repeatedly shattered the limits of human strength. (Illustrative image).
After claiming one final championship title, Brian Shaw stepped away from competitive strength sports in August 2023. At the Shaw Classic in Loveland, Colorado, a competition he established, Brian won the title of “Strongest Man on Earth” as a fitting conclusion to his career.
The World’s Strongest Man (WSM) is an annual competition for strongmen founded under the management of TWI, a subsidiary of the international sports organization IMG (International Management Group). The competition is televised around December each year. Contestants face various timed events (pulling vehicles, throwing heavy objects, placing stones on high platforms, etc.), with the winner being the one with the highest overall score. The champion also receives a trophy along with the title of World’s Strongest Man. |
