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 world-class arm wrestler Ermes Gasparini to break down what it really takes to compete at the very top of the sport.

Ermes shares his story from the beginning — pulling with his dad as a kid, winning his first tournaments at just 16 years old, and earning global respect by proving himself against the best arm wrestlers in the world. The conversation moves into what separates elite arm wrestlers from athletes who are simply “strong.” Topics include hand strength, back pressure, blocking power, and why the smallest technical details on the table matter even more when facing massive superheavyweights.

Past supermatches are also discussed, including lessons learned along the way and how short-notice matches completely change preparation. The massive size difference when facing Levan Saginashvili is another major topic, including why that weight gap is a real challenge that demands smarter training and more mass (including a few jokes about the strongman cheesecake diet).

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