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Brian ShawAmerican professional strongman and winner of several World's Strongest Man tournaments
Date of Birth: 26.02.1982
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Brian Shaw: American Strongman Phenom
- Early Life and Basketball Career
- Shift to Weightlifting
- Strongman Career
- Breakthrough and World Championships
- Caloric Intake and Diet
- - Protein: 68g
- - Protein: 115g
- - Protein: 172g
- - Protein: 112g
- - Protein: 117g
- - Approximately 3400 calories
- - Protein: 105g
Brian Shaw: American Strongman Phenom
Brian Shaw, an American professional strongman and multiple winner of the World's Strongest Man competition, holds the unique distinction of being the first person to win both the Arnold Strongman Classic and the World's Strongest Man contests in the same year. He achieved this historic double victory in 2011 and repeated the feat in 2015. In total, Shaw has won the World's Strongest Man title four times, in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016.
Early Life and Basketball Career
Brian Shaw was born on February 26, 1982, in Fort Lupton, Colorado, to Jay and Bonnie Shaw. Both his parents were taller than average, with his father standing 6'1" (1.85 meters) and his mother 5'10" (1.8 meters). Shaw's uncles were also known for their exceptional height.
During his high school years, Shaw excelled in basketball. By the time he graduated, he weighed approximately 240 pounds (109 kilograms). He went on to attend Otero Junior College, where he played under the tutelage of Bob Austin, the current assistant coach for the Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs. Shaw was a standout on the Rattlers' basketball team during his sophomore season.
Shift to Weightlifting
After his junior college career, Shaw transferred to Black Hills State University, where he earned a full scholarship and a degree in health and wellness. Throughout his basketball career, Shaw had developed a passion for weightlifting and considered the gym his "sanctuary." Standing 6'8" (203 centimeters) tall with massive hands, Shaw possessed natural strength.
"Flipping the biggest tires, picking up the heaviest stones...that's always come easy to me," Shaw said. "It's raw power that you can't develop in the gym. It's brute strength."
Strongman Career
Shaw officially launched his strongman career with a victory at the Denver Strongest Man contest in October 2005. He won the event without any formal strongman training. Seven months later, in June 2006, Shaw turned professional and continued his winning streak. In 2009, he made an appearance at the Fortissimus competition, also known as "The World's Strongest Man," in Canada, where he placed third overall and became the only competitor to successfully complete the Atlas Stone event six times, lifting stones weighing between 300 and 425 pounds (136 and 193 kilograms).
Shaw then competed at the World Strongman Super Series in Romania. In September 2009, he entered his second World's Strongest Man contest, held in Valletta, Malta. He found himself in a "group of death" that included Lithuanian strongman Žydrunas "Big Z" Savickas, who ultimately won the competition, edging out Shaw by only two points.
Breakthrough and World Championships
Sports commentator and IronMind founder Randall J. Strossen predicted Shaw's eventual rise to the top in 2009. "You have to consider him the favorite right now," Strossen said. "If he can stay healthy, there's no telling what he can do. He's that talented. He's through the roof talented."
Shaw qualified for the 2010 World's Strongest Man final in Sun City, South Africa, in September 2010. His rivalry with Savickas continued, and once again, Savickas prevailed, taking the first-place position in three of the six events, while Shaw placed first in only two of the six. The strongmen faced off again in October 2010 at the Giants Live Istanbul contest, with Shaw once again finishing second to Big Z.
Finally, at the 2011 World's Strongest Man event, Shaw faced two-time champion Savickas in the final Atlas Stone competition and emerged victorious. Shaw repeated his World's Strongest Man triumph in 2013.
Caloric Intake and Diet
Shaw has reclaimed the title of "World's Strongest Man" in 2015 and 2016. To maintain his massive frame, Shaw consumes approximately 12,000 calories per day. He admits that eating such a large number of calories is not as enjoyable as it may seem. "It's work," Shaw said.
Shaw eats seven meals a day, following a diet designed by his nutritionist to make him "as strong as he can be." He considers food to be his biggest competition, as he has to "fight against it" non-stop.
For his first meal, Shaw indulges in a cereal of his choice, typically Cinnamon Toast Crunch, along with eight eggs and a tablespoon of peanut butter.
- Protein: 68g
- Carbohydrates: 74g- Fat: 68g
- Calories: 1180
Meal two consists of a protein shake with two granola bars and more peanut butter.
- Protein: 115g
- Carbohydrates: 92g- Fat: 25g
- Calories: 1053
Approximately an hour later, Shaw eats his third meal, typically consisting of meat and pasta. He prefers to have a half pound of grass-fed beef and angel hair pasta with red sauce.
- Protein: 172g
- Carbohydrates: 191g- Fat: 82g
- Calories: 2190
Meal four is another protein shake, this time with unsweetened almond butter and frozen organic blueberries. He also adds more peanut butter.
- Protein: 112g
- Carbohydrates: 89g- Fat: 22g
- Calories: 1002
For his fifth meal, Shaw consumes organic ground turkey (93% lean), rice, and broccoli.
- Protein: 117g
- Carbohydrates: 145g- Fat: 41g
- Calories: 1417
Meal six usually consists of another half pound of beef, potatoes and asparagus, or pizza pasta.
- Approximately 3400 calories
For meal seven, Shaw eats cheesecake with additional protein powder. He is allowed two to three slices of cheesecake, but sometimes consumes four.
- Protein: 105g
- Carbohydrates: 107g- Fat: 89g
- Calories: 1649
"I have to eat this much to stay the strongest man on the planet," Shaw said.
