BATTLING ADVERSITY FT. HAFTHOR BJÖRNSSON | SHAW STRENGTH PODCAST EP.54

[@grunt9950]

More Hafthor and Brian together. Thanks for the interview Brian, watching this in the train after a 10hr shift.

[@Pidgeys]

Yes I'm a fan of the duo as well. Who knows, maybe they will become buds.

[@reservedddmayen8302]

Train ? What are you in New York ?

[@ajsbd3815]

​@@reservedddmayen8302yes new york is the only place in the world with trains

[@reservedddmayen8302]

@@ajsbd3815 did I ask you ?

[@maxjansson3672]

@@reservedddmayen8302 maybe he lives in a country with real infrastructure

[@Danratman]

Hafthors speech and English overall has improved immensely, he really is a new man, strength in mind and body, what an inspiration. Thanks for arranging this Brian.

[@Sebol453]

I mean if he had'nt been paralysed in half of his face,his english would be perfect

[@niightmaregaming]

He was battling bells palsy for a long time so on top of the icelandic accident half his face was pretty severely paralyzed

[@Kimera92]

I mean, marrying a canadian probably helped a ton lol

[@HaggisDruid]

​@@Kimera92He speaks fluent Canadian.

[@mrgaudy1954]

@@Kimera92He married Mitch?

[@flingkid9]

After hearing both Brian and Thor talk about corruption in other shows I now want to try to make it to every shaw classic and support it in every way I can!

[@mark4lev]

What timestamp do they talk about corruption

[@petarjuric5828]

​@@mark4levThey basically said that Wsm tells some athletes what Events there will be and not others. Kinda like how they told Eddie beforehand and even put only events that he was good at.

[@Anthraxian]

Best Strongman interview ever with the two goliaths. Thanks for this Brian and Thor! It's so good to see you two becoming friends.

[@craigmorgan4676]

Eddie's gonna b pissed!😡😡😡😡👀👀💀💀💀😬😬🤝🇬🇧🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@Kado1609]

@@craigmorgan4676 eddie is just in your head 24/7 you are the one whos bothered 🤣🤣🤣 most normal people have moved on but not you for some reason

I wonder if Eddie will try to bully Brian for being friends with Thor like he did when Larry Wheels promoted him. 😂😂

[@paul_oliver_duggan29]

Who cares about eddie? He's an idiot

[@HackOnFackebook]

Larry put a picture of a decapitated Eddie bruh, real nasty move

[@SkorLord]

My buddy walked in and said "What are you watching?" I said, "Twin Peaks." Great interview!

[@theycontroltheleftandtheri3705]

Mrs walked in and asked what I was watching so I told her "The Twin Towers".

[@fremont66]

🤣

[@Internet_Tough_Guy]

Omg “twin peaks” HAHAHAHA IM SOOOO WEAK 😂😂😂😐 Dude pls do this world a favor and seriously consider self harming yourself… 🫶🩷

[@topofthemornintoya]

Ha!

[@kovulion7777]

Seeing this Somewhere out there in his own tank, a big man sheds a tear

[@markpozsar5785]

So much greatness in one room

[@openpowercom]

Hey Brian & the SHAWSTRENGTH team, I think the fans would really appreciate it if you included chapters in future podcasts here on KZbin. It would make the podcasts much nicer to navigate for those who don't have the time to watch the full podcast.

[@jacksarebetter]

Yes I was thinking the same thing

[@MD-vl4mq]

That’s a strong couch right there 💪🏻

[@keemoify]

Floor too

[@ryk1265]

If you are a cannibal, that's 6 months worth of meat so get the recipe book out!

[@vids595]

@@ryk1265 As a hunter I can tell you that is far more than 6 months worth of meat.

[@Couldhavebeensomeone]

​@@ryk1265 touch grass

[@Internet_Tough_Guy]

They tested it on ur mom prior to this. Respectfully ofc 🫶

[@damoncus8124]

This is the first time Brian Shaw has ever looked Small next to another person. Thor looks absolutely huge … he looks like 415 and relatively lean. He also has the biggest legs ever. Good show. Two of the best strong men in history.

[@Nirsterkur]

Hafthor's weight right now, 15 days out of the Rogue Invitational is 191.5 kg (422 lb).

[@aeis3007]

It’s funny, when they played basketball it didn’t look like a big difference, but here it really does.

[@--SPQR--]

​​@@aeis3007Angles. Thor is closer to a wide angle lens. Posture. Brian is slouching, Hafthor is upright.

[@FROSTY420692002]

Brian is bigger than

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

​@@Nirsterkur his goal is to reach 200 kg

[@Nirsterkur]

40:26 onwards, answering your question at 40:58: Yes Hafthor you are correct, you did (to the best of my knowledge) 104 strongman competitions (101 as an individual athlete and 3 as a group member) and *there is not a single competition where you withdrew. You finished every single competition you ever participated,* which is incredible!

[@jtf2dan]

but he has missed dozens of shows like WSM and giants live in recent years, so he is cherry picking shows.

[@commentwarrior]

Are you gay​? @@jtf2dan

[@lvl-3bot]

​​@@jtf2dan Aint nothing wrong whit that.

[@Nirsterkur]

​@@jtf2dan Hafthor used to compete up to 14 competitions in a calendar year while shooting Game of Thrones. He can select whatever competitions he wants to do. Ask Brian and he will also say that he did only the comps he wanted to do.

[@Kimera92]

​@@jtf2dan Hafthor is literally in the top 10 athletes with the most international strongman competitions, and you're seriously going to sit here and try to imply that him never withdrawing from a competition isn't impressive because he didn't compete enough? Like, seriously?

[@Daz555Daz]

As someone who had Bells Palsy but recovered from it I feel for Hafthor so much as it looks like his nerve damage is permanent. I had facial paralysis for about 4 months and it was so so hard to deal with so I have so much respect for him. What an athlete he is and what a legend.

[@Micheldied]

It's actually pretty wholesome hearing them talk about shows they've both done together. Also, Hafthor is such a confident speaker in english now, it's nice to see.

[@patrickoneil6610]

Two biggest men on the planet right here. That’s out of over 8 billion people. That’s how many people you need to get just two of these guys. This is what legends are made of

[@georgeforeman1097]

They arent rhe biggest but dam near close. Its only a small handful of men as big as them and a tiny fraction that are as strong and athletic as them at that size. Iron bibby has like 30 inch arms but he has alot of fat.

[@Vipinnnn17]

muscle mass wise they're def the biggest or were at their peaks. ​@@georgeforeman1097

[@Adam-bw6dj]

​@georgeforeman1097 30 inch arms and how much of that do you think is actually muscle? I work with a 20+ stone woman who has 25 inch arms and she's never set foot in a gym in her life. But I'd say she's bought Biby's new diet plan.

[@patrickoneil6610]

@@georgeforeman1097 uh who is bigger?

[@SkorLord]

​@@georgeforeman1097 30" arms with a photoshop specialist. Smh

[@raisinmancereal]

An interview with Zydrunas would also be amazing. Definitely watched/listened to this whole interview. Thor’s break and getting into boxing really changed the makeup of his body tremendously for the better. He’s more agile now than ever before. You both really are an inspiration to so many people. Just want to add too how you can see Brian’s arm wrestling training peeking out here 1:23:04. Much love and good luck to you both for the upcoming Rogues and King of the Table.

[@muhammadulizshahlaeidullah]

This is exactly why there should be podcasts!

[@Nirsterkur]

It would be criminal for the strength and physical culture lore, if Hafthor and Brian couldn't take this reinforced brotherhood to give us fans *Strongest Man in History, Season 2.* While anticipating that, this was a very insightful podcast, uncut and no nonsense, two of the absolute GOATs of the entire domain of strength athletics talking about what we all love, while looking like a Brontotherium and an Elasmotherium talking to each other! 😊😊 Thank you Hafthor and Brian.

[@BuffPomsky]

Nah that show didnt respect their meal.times and was too scripted

[@Tomm5997]

I don't think Hafþór would want to be on a show with Eddie lmao

[@Nirsterkur]

Hence why season 2. Better cast and better planning.

[@Tomm5997]

@@Nirsterkur Sounds lame, no point in changing the cast when Brian, Eddie, Robert, and Nick were all great.

[@giovannicupello1977]

@@Tomm5997 Thor, Shaw, Mitch and Nick were training recently during the olympia weekend. That's your team right there.

[@John.J_Stud64]

Fantastic podcast Brian! Hafthor is my all-time favourite strongman, and I love to see him here in the States often. Looking forward to strongest in history second season with both of you in it.

[@RichardErdman-mn1nd]

Doesn’t get any better than this. Two legends of strong man!!

[@memberman]

Love how honest you both were. Makes a 10/10 conversation to listen to from a fans perspective of the sport and you guys.

[@easteuropeanviking]

Two of the strongest human to ever walk this Earth!

[@jtf2dan]

walking in the shadow of Mitch Hooper now....

[@GamingFactoidz-te5re]

those would be real olimpic lifters kid.

[@Kimera92]

@@jtf2danMitch is great, but still no greater than these guys. He has still a long road ahead of him to be considered amongst the GOATs

[@gisli12]

Take it easy Mitch😂​@@jtf2dan

[@wickywills]

@@jtf2dan Mitch's burner account?

[@kevinsayes]

Nice, can’t wait for the drive into work tonight. Thanks guys

[@hectorserrano9314]

May you have a blessed drive to work, brotha.

[@bagaskarahadjarputra6070]

I've been waiting the podcast between these two since last year. Their legacy in the modern strength is over the top, winning so much, going head to head at the heat of 2010s strongmen's season, while also winning 3 times the most gnarly comp of all, Arnold Classics. Great times for the gentle giants conversation

[@914Rocky]

Brian can definitely be a major player in the arm wrestling space. He’s got the size, strength, hand size, grip strength, athleticism, and work ethic. It takes years to master, but he’s going to take years and will master it. And it’s a rare sport in which age doesn’t matter very much.

[@marktyler3381]

Brian is training with the best

[@Cryptidswildfoodoutdoors]

You are 100% correct. Just on base strength alone, Brian is already probably US top ten.

[@jayclean5653]

​@@Cryptidswildfoodoutdoors Not until he beats a top 10 guy.

[@vodkaa1]

Funny that Thor mentioned the food thing. I noticed that between events during the SMOE live stream. Thor was eating when waiting for his turn during the keg toss, and no one else was doing that.

[@SteinMeister72]

Planning out what, when, and how much to eat on competition day is tricky. If I eat too much, I'll be lethargic the rest of the comp. If I eat too little, I burn out after two events

[@YairGOW]

Seemed to me like they couldn't even fathom that some guys just don't think like them regarding optimizing food. Mitch, for example, has said many times he believes most strongman diets are excessive. Staying relatively lean (compared to other strongman) seems to work quite well for him, I'd say, and he probably doesn't need to eat as frequently as them.

[@daviesugo7641]

He also said he thinks only he and Thor, take diet seriously in strongman ​@@YairGOW

[@Michael20089]

​@YairGOW yeah absolutely agreed. These two eat alot more then others need to. Possibly more then even they need to

[@anthonyproffitt5341]

@@YairGOW Most of the strongmen today are relatively lean. Thor was relatively lean most of his career. Brian as well. Their size is just on another level. Mitch hasn’t been fluctuating that much in weight cause he competes so much. Mitch is something like 145-150 kg. Thor and Brian were some 50+ kg more at their peak. They also dropped a bit during an offseason. When they prepared for a new season they ate more to gain 10-20 kg.

[@Pidgeys]

Hafthor, I consider you one of the goats right up there with Brian and Zydrunas. There is no denying youre one of the strongest to ever live. You and Brian make a good team and I hope to see more of you together.

[@johnniebarker9746]

Hafthor reminding me of Kaz at his peak thru the face. Just swolled up everywhere. It’s awesome

[@danjon1099]

Good to see Thor with Brian💪🏻 RIP Geoff Capes 😢

[@marktyler3381]

RIP Geoff Capes indeed

[@carl4033]

This is definitely the biggest podcast online.

[@mattmeyer8944]

Two absolute giants… sharing stories, wisdom, and perspective. Thank you Brian for another great podcast

[@customconnections2425]

Blessed to have experienced the energy of this meeting of legends in Las Vegas. Ed Coan, Nick Best, Bjorn, and of course Brian and Thor as well as their staffs respectfully in this setting particularly. These guys have laid it all on the line and have endured life in ways successfully that there is much to gain from them by taking notes from these words. I can attest from ground level experience that these men are examples for all to model after. I fully believe that our world would improve if all of us as men just hit the fucking gym; improve and treat others with kindness, love our families, support others, go hard building the fabric for our families structure, and lovingly raise the family unit to support one another without a second thought as well as our involved community. The results are what you are listening to right here. Thanks guys, much admiration and appreciation from me.

[@liftheavy5789]

2 greatest strongmen ever to speak! How Awesome would it be to have the opportunity to visit and train with Brian and then travel to Iceland and train with Thor? What 2 dream trips that would be!!

[@johanbarnard3435]

Big Z to me is still the greatest but these 2 are definitely in my top 5 greatest off all time

[@1vootman]

Thor is my hands down favorite SM athlete, can't wait to see him kick some ass at the Rouge and ASC

[@wanderer_oti]

I'm excited to see him and Hooper battle it out. My money is on Hooper but smoe showed they aren't too far apart

[@ryan_the_red_4907]

Love hearing you two talk in particular. Two level headed, exceptionally high achievers in strength

[@Dunce...]

Love this duo!

[@yggdrasild755]

They should 💯 make more videos 💪

[@dannyboyfit]

What a fantastic conversation could listen to these two talk for hours you can really see the respect and appreciation between them 👏🏻👏🏻

[@matteomasento3541]

We need people like you guys, Heroes.. People need want HEROES! I personally would love to see Hafthor at the top again for the years to come, and I wish him it!! Loved the interview

[@MaddenManniacs]

Awesome interview!!!! Thank you so much Brian and Thor for sharing this moment with all of us.

[@worldclassdeerhunter]

2 amazing sportsmen in one podcast. Amazing!

[@82Bjarni]

Thank you Brian for speaking with Hafthor. You guys have a alot of history together. Great to hear about it. ✌️👍💪

[@Nick-gg6tg]

Great call out at the end. You are making the difference Brian. Keep it up

[@dejay9404]

Awesome friendship and respect between two great champions 💯💪💪

[@bhavneetbhangu1248]

This was a fantastic podcast! Two guys with humility and utmost respect for each other and two giants of the sport of strongman. Definitely would love to see more of Brian and Hafthor podcasts😃 Also, loving this collaboration between the two and hope to see many more videos like this!

[@ronwelch6548]

I've always enjoy your podcast. 2 of the biggest guys in it sitting down and just talk. I've always likedto watch you work out with that perfect form. Made me concentrate more on my form working out. Very inspiring and im 63. Keep it up. Don't freak if at the start of your arm wrestling career you don't win all the time. You will get there in time.

[@kwilcox417]

I still remember watching Thor rise in Strongman and seeing him at his peak then coming back now is just so cool. I'm a massive fan of these two and hope the periodic podcasts continue with them.

[@shawnmichaud4484]

Absolutely brilliant strongman conversation from two icons i got to watch compete for so many years

[@kennynakawaki]

Two of the biggest Strongman ever.

[@Enkelriktad123]

You could tell the injury was a struggle on the Rogue competition today when doing the yoke, that sucks. Wish Hafthor all the best!

[@IkePegsMarth]

Normally Brian makes whoever he’s talking to look small, but Brian and Thor look like two normal size guys in a room full of small furniture

[@joshfuller5076]

Literally the strongest podcast on Earth🏋‍♀

[@mediaproof960]

So happy that these motivation podcasts are happening again! 1st Ed and now Thor?? Excellent!

[@thatcoloradoguy]

Wait until next week's pod!!

[@DanHammarstrom]

The episode ive been waiting for! 💪

[@Technique-kj2bp]

I love how they're both just openly having a conversation about how corrupt WSM is. That organisation needs to either radically change or just fade into obscurity

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

ArmWrestling is a good sport to transition into because it doesnt matter what age you start, its the perfect retirement hobby for former Strongman, Powerlifters etc.

[@muhammadtaimurkhan1661]

My respect for both of these guys both of them are immensely 💪 hats out to them for being together nevertheless had so much animosity between them back in the days which happens in professional sport

[@odysseusnissan]

Great interview! I had trigger finger(I never heard of it til I had it) and had to wear a brace and go to acupuncture for 3 months. But what really healed me was changing the way I slept(like Brian). I used to sleep with my right hand under my head and it wasn't good for my circulation. Haven'thad a problem since.

[@hairyape_8103]

I think Brian needs to work on letting the guest speak and flesh out their thoughts without feelings like he needs to say something or reactionally draw it back to himself and his thoughts. Its suddle but would take the podcast to the next level imo. Its almost like Brian is asking himself questions with a brief guest commentary before he answers himself.

[@Aaron-Qman]

Yes I agree. Sometimes he needs to step back and let the guest be in the spotlight 100% more.

[@martinshoosterman]

It’s kind of endearing almost. He’s just excited to talk. But yeah, Brian does talk a bit too much. There are questions which could be asked in a single sentence, which he literally monologues for 4 minutes, just to ask the question. Again this is fun to watch. But Brian could stand to improve by being just a bit conscious of speaking a bit less.

[@mitchelljack1590]

I think you mean subtle

[@--SPQR--]

​@@IsHeadQuartersonly fools dismiss a valid point based on a minor flaw in the way the argument is expressed.

[@Kimera92]

I honestly feel like he is just trying to guide the conversation a little bit, especially when he realizes the guest doesnt have a long answer for some of his questions. But I do agree that he talks too much for someone who should be the one interviewing the guest and not the other way around.

[@fredkemp1444]

Great chat fellas!! Wish you both the best!!

[@keimo8472]

This was very good and honest interview! Great job Brian and Hafthor!!!

[@peturstefansson]

Nice to watch you both talk about daily life as a human being and a competitor. I would say that you have so much in common in terms of sports, and similar mentality in strongman sports.

[@fremont66]

Love both of these guys, wouldn't have been the same without them.

[@dylanwinfrey2276]

2 of the greatest strongmen to ever live!

[@kevinlucas8437]

Great conversation !! Thor is so great for the sport. He's definitely going to be a major threat!!!

[@aronthungerui2147]

Great conversation.. loved listening

[@BMO_Creative]

These guys are so big that they each take up a couch! Between them, there's more than enough experience to write a strongman book!

[@petarjuric5828]

Two goat's 🐐 sitting next to each other i love both of you guys 💪 💪 💪 Love from Croatia 🇭🇷

[@OogyLix]

Love both of you guys. Wonderful talk.

[@Lotus1001]

Its very interesting when Brian and Thor talk about the shift in Era and the comparison between now and the old days when "THEY" were competing how intense it was etc. and the drive to be the very best! Same goes for Ronnie Coleman and other greats when they talk about this subject in professional Bodybuilding, that nowadays its just more loose so to speak.

[@tinymahuta]

Bodybuilding lol, why are you comparing athletes with bodybuilders?

[@Adam-bw6dj]

​@@tinymahutaBecause its a competitive sport that to be the best, takes 100 percent. Just like strongman, you really think it was easy to be Ronnie Coleman, Dorian Yates, Jay Cutler ect? No it takes an insane work ethic. Those guys were a step above the rest when they were at the top. I can promise you those guys worked harder than nearly all the strongmen around today. Go listen to Dorian talk abouut his competitive days. He gave EVERYTHING. No different to Brian and Thor.

[@tinymahuta]

@@Adam-bw6dj Sport hahaha, it is a subjective male beauty pageant.

[@Adam-bw6dj]

@tinymahuta It is subjective that's correct. But tbh given what constitutes as sport these days, even in the olympics, I don't think it's that wrong to use the word. It takes a hell of a lot more physical capability than many other sports. Outside of that I think you're just being overly offensive now for no reason, 90s bodybuilding was legendary and the guys put everything into being the best. Also, it's always been more popular, I'm a strongman fan first and foremost but there's a reason the guys at the Olympia make half a million plus sponsorship and everything on top of it and the strongman make less than a hundred grand for winning the supposed "pinnacle of the sport".

[@Lotus1001]

Yes, just what Adam said. The old Era of Bodybuilding and their work ethics, sheer drive to push also really hard weights, being conditioned, being strict with the diet was no cakewalk. Everyone who knows the history of Ronnie, Dorian, Arnold etc. can agree with the fact that these guys pushed their bodies to the absolute Limit. These guys were Athletes as in every other sport and deserve the same respect. Dont be so harsh @tinymahuta only because it is not your type of sport. People see things in a different depth once they understand the meaning of it. It is just simply not yours.

[@francesbayly8881]

Excellent interview!!!! Hope there can be more from Hafthor and Brian ❤

[@adrianpotgieter5482]

Brain is such a respectful person and the same as Thor. The best role models anyon can have diesnt matter who you are have respect. Never was a fan of Brian but he is really a amazing champ.

[@TheArchersArms]

Cant wait to see you armwrestle a new sport for you to excel in. Cant wait to see it all.

[@shanewoosley8303]

Man amazing interview! Mu h love for both of you.

[@testerblazer3469]

Been waiting for this podcast for a year!

[@JoshO423]

2 of my favourite strongmen. This is the interview I’ve been waiting for!

[@Simon-fr4ts]

This was amazing. Thank you both so much.

[@highgroundproductions8590]

Brian bringing everyone together

[@TIWofficial]

This is an explosive interview!

[@sagebauer1077]

WSM really set themselves up for failure by burning two of their most popular champions. Who are now showing that you can compete and finally ignore WSM entirely and still be considered the best

[@wanderer_oti]

We need more wsm like 2017 where the events are heavy af

[@roadagent5158]

Yet another superb podcast

[@kevingibson2519]

Looks like Thor's Bell's seem to be resolving a little. Good to see!

[@Danratman]

Yup I thought the same, really great to see, life's thrown so much shit at him, to rebuild now, he deserves all the best.

[@aeis3007]

When he slimmed down for boxing it seemed to lessen. Glad it seems that he is doing better.

[@BuffPomsky]

​@aeis3007 tbh slimming down probably had sooo many health benefits for him. Professional strongman and most strength sports just aren't the healthiest sadly

[@tomd9555]

Loved this. I have to admit, Hafthor was like a villain to me in those years when Brian and Big Z were at their peaks. So glad to actually see the person and how more relaxed he has become.

[@Adam-bw6dj]

Saving this one for work tomorrow, stick my headphones in and listen to greatness! Looking forward to this one so much!

[@TracySnitker]

Waiting for world record pull from the mountain, all excited 😊

[@ClimateLockdowns]

Great interview really enjoyed it

[@lululamperouge7416]

Incredible Podcast! Great episode as usual. Love seeing you two together. Wouldn't mind seeing you have Mitch Hooper on too. Keep up the great work; you're the goat!

[@donzokor5312]

Two cool guys, love the interview.

[@Brendan-re5bl]

Enjoyed the conversation both of you have a wonderful rest of your day or weekend 🎉

[@marcusbeer877]

I could watch 2 hours of Hafthor saying “video”

[@AkaashPitamber]

Thors my guy love the big guy

[@fredkemp1444]

Listening to your thoughts. Makes me think way back. Bill Kazmier not getting invited back for a few years🤔 OD Wilson getting robbed with a track run🤔🤔.

[@Dave-ui6xn]

All the strongman used to be friends. That was one thing that was so appealling watching as a kid.

[@ThorsHammer88]

Great interview!

[@ChromcsikTibor]

It was great, no bullshit, no commercials, good job guys.

[@Rsossy]

Im sure its just my age but watching these two go at it in their prime was my favorite time of strong man..too much speed and endurance to win nowadays so hooper is just dominating

[@joejensen932]

It seems like strongman used to be every man was on his own team playing against each other... Today's strongman seems like they are all on the same team. I think both are great ways to compete. Not as much personal drama in today's game.

[@DoYouHaveAnOpinion]

REST IN PEACE BIG GEOFF CAPES

[@ajedrez914]

Brian I was watching your training for arm wrestling and I really realized that you easily beat your rivals even without the correct technique, imagine when you learn the techniques of the sport well you will really be invincible.

[@marktyler3381]

Thanks Brian, this is great. Subscribed

[@damienthorneyoung6623]

Big Mountain I love you, buddy. I’m so proud of you big giant you’re my favorite strong man besides Brian.

[@aaronbarlow4376]

I also have a numbness/tingling in my last 3 fingers on my right hand Thor! I guess it's a similar nerve damage, that hand does give out first on heavy pulls.