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

In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian Shaw sits down with strongman veteran, World’s Strongest Man podium finisher, and longtime friend Laurence Shahlaei for a powerful conversation about resilience, competition, and perspective both inside and outside of strength sports.

Laurence shares the story of a sudden car accident that turned an ordinary drive into a life-changing moment, leading to a hospital visit and a renewed appreciation for what truly matters. The discussion centers on gratitude, family, and how experiences like this can reset priorities and reshape how athletes approach both training and life.

From there, Brian and Laurence dive deep into elite strongman competition — breaking down the most competitive World’s Strongest Man eras, how event order and contest conditions influence results, and why comparing athletes across generations isn’t as simple as looking at numbers on a score sheet. Laurence opens up about overcoming major injuries throughout his career, the challenges of rebuilding confidence after setbacks, and the reality of returning to competition when your body has taken serious damage.

The conversation also looks toward life after peak competition, including coaching, staying goal-driven, and supporting family through new challenges. Brian and Laurence discuss preparation, tapering, and how lessons learned in strongman continue to apply to new competitive arenas, along with insights into the technical and mental side of arm wrestling.

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 Shaw sits down with elite arm wrestler Brandon Allen for an honest conversation about preparation, competition, and what it really takes to walk into a high-pressure supermatch.

Brian and Brandon dive into how arm wrestling training differs from strongman and powerlifting, breaking down tapering, recovery, staying technically sharp, and finding the balance between pushing hard and showing up fresh on match day. They also look back at their own match from earlier in the year, talking through key moments, setup decisions, and the mental side of competition that starts long before you ever grip up at the table.

Brandon shares stories from training alongside some of the best in the sport including Devon Larratt, Eric Spoto, and Michael Todd and what he’s learned about preparation, pressure, and staying ready when small details make the biggest difference.

The conversation shifts beyond training into fatherhood, responsibility, and the lessons both athletes are trying to pass on to their kids. From discipline and respect to navigating social media and outside opinions, Brian and Brandon talk openly about how becoming fathers has changed their perspective on competition, success, and life outside the gym.

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 longtime friend, World’s Strongest Man finalist, and strongman veteran Terry Hollands for an honest conversation about life after elite competition. After more than a decade competing at the highest level, Terry shares what happens when contest prep is no longer the center of your life and how challenging it can be to rebuild structure, purpose, and daily routine after retiring from professional strongman.

Brian and Terry dive into training after strongman, managing injuries, and staying consistent when work, family, and recovery begin to take priority over competition. Terry breaks down what his training looks like today, including working around a stubborn knee injury, rotating push and pull sessions, and building a home gym setup that removes excuses. The conversation also revisits the chaotic 2010 strongman season — nonstop contests around the world, chasing prize money, recognizing early injury warning signs, and the biceps tear that ultimately changed the direction of his career.

The discussion then shifts into a new challenge both athletes are pursuing: arm wrestling. Brian and Terry talk about the technical depth of the sport, why setup and positioning often matter more than raw strength, and how larger athletes must adapt to leverage, table dynamics, and strategy. Terry shares what drew him to arm wrestling, the competitive atmosphere surrounding tournaments, and the process of earning respect in a completely new strength discipline. Brian also previews his upcoming match with Leonidas and what it may reveal about where he currently stands in the sport.

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 longtime friend, World’s Strongest Man finalist, and strongman veteran Terry Hollands for an honest conversation about life after elite competition. After more than a decade competing at the highest level, Terry shares what happens when contest prep is no longer the center of your life and how challenging it can be to rebuild structure, purpose, and daily routine after retiring from professional strongman.

Brian and Terry dive into training after strongman, managing injuries, and staying consistent when work, family, and recovery begin to take priority over competition. Terry breaks down what his training looks like today, including working around a stubborn knee injury, rotating push and pull sessions, and building a home gym setup that removes excuses. The conversation also revisits the chaotic 2010 strongman season — nonstop contests around the world, chasing prize money, recognizing early injury warning signs, and the biceps tear that ultimately changed the direction of his career.

The discussion then shifts into a new challenge both athletes are pursuing: arm wrestling. Brian and Terry talk about the technical depth of the sport, why setup and positioning often matter more than raw strength, and how larger athletes must adapt to leverage, table dynamics, and strategy. Terry shares what drew him to arm wrestling, the competitive atmosphere surrounding tournaments, and the process of earning respect in a completely new strength discipline. Brian also previews his upcoming match with Leonidas and what it may reveal about where he currently stands in the sport.

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 virtual episode of the Brian Shaw Podcast, Brian sits down with arm wrestling legend Devon Larratt to talk about two huge upcoming matches and what it takes to prepare at the highest level. Brian is getting ready to travel to Germany to face Leonidas on his home turf, while Devon is focused on a right hand battle against one of the most dangerous athletes in the sport, Vitaly Laletin.

Brian shares a big realization from his training over the past couple of years. For a long time he was unknowingly limiting his own power with rigid cues, but once he started focusing on connecting everything from his hand through his shoulder and into his core, it completely changed how his strength carries over to the arm wrestling table. Instead of chasing bigger numbers in the gym, the focus now is on movements and angles that actually translate to competition.

Devon also breaks down the challenge of facing Vitaly and why the matchup is so difficult. Vitaly’s top roll and explosive shoulder commitment make him a very unique problem. Devon explains how important it is to control the wrist early, survive that initial hit, and then make adjustments as the match develops. With six weeks of focused preparation, the goal is to show up healthy, sharp, and ready.

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 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