The Money & Power Of The World's Richest Strongman Champion

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At 6’8” and weighing at 405 pounds, Brian Shaw is the worlds richest Strongman competitor.

The 39-year-old, Fort Lupton, CO native has been competing in various Strongman events since the early 2000’s and has an estimated net worth of $15 million.

While it’s hard to imagine a career simply based on workouts and strength competitions, Shaw has succeeded in the unique career and earned serious bank as a result.

Within a decade, Shaw had broken records and won so many awards, his sheer strength skyrocketed him to stardom. He appeared in documentaries, talk shows and reality competitions, further increasing his income and becoming a celebrity face many recognize.

However, he would argue, it’s not just about muscles and showmanship. The national competitor is working to share health, nutrition, and safety tips that go along with his career of choice and the audience seems to be listening.

What is the Strongman Competition?

The annual competition invites 25 athletes to compete for five grueling days in a series of contests, seeking the strongest man on the planet. Competitors see who can lift the most weight, throw the most weight over their heads or at a distance and pull incredibly heavy objects the farthest.

In addition to weightlifting, the men try to lift as many atlas stones, weighing as much as 350 pounds each, they single-handedly pull planes and other large vehicles, carry refrigerators weighing in at nearly 1,000 pounds on their back and toss kegs weighing in around 500 pounds over a wall.

Men from all over the world strive to take first place in the various competitions and Shaw, has come out on top more than once.

Who is Brian Shaw?

Always large for his age, Shaw was a leader in high school and college basketball. On a full basketball scholarship, Shaw attended Black Hills State University and earned a degree in wellness management.

It wasn’t until 2005, he entered his first contest, the Denver Strongest Man event with no formal training. His success and love for the sport, led Shaw to join the professional ranks shortly thereafter and he continued to earn accolades.

In 2009, Shaw broke through in the sport, winning numerous competitions like the “Los Angeles Grand Prix” and “Gothenburg Grand Prix”. In 2009 alone, he earned $20,000 from winnings.

According to Wealthy Persons, Shaw won first place in the World’s Strongest Man competitions in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016. In 2011, he became the first person to win the Arnold Strongman Classic and the World’s Strongest Man contest in the same year and he repeated the success in 2015.

Shaw has also taken home first place trophies in the “All-American Strongman Challenge”, “Giants Live”, “Jon Pall Sigmarsson Classic”, and “Strongman Super Series” according to Wealthy Genius.

The World Outside Being Strong

The husband and father of two boys does more than just lift heavy things. Outside of competitions, Shaw has established several successful companies in the athlete nutrition and supplements industry. He has his own YouTube channel, “ShawStrength” according to Most Expensive Thing.

The channel includes eating challenges, training footage, fitness challenges and competition updates. He regularly updates fans on injuries and his healing process and in light of his nutrition company, offers many tips to eating healthy and being at your physical best.

Shaw has also starred in “The World’s Strongest Man” show as a regular competitor.

Still Going Strong

Shaw finished in second place this past June at the World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, CA. Just three points behind winner Tom Stoltman of Scotland, it was Shaw’s best finish since 2016, when he won his fourth title.

According to the Denver Post, Shaw set a world record for the keg toss. Weighing 33 pounds, he launched the keg over his head 7.75 meters (more than 25 feet in the air).

This summer, Shaw completed his 10^th podium finish in his career at the Strongman competitions.

Aug. 27 and 28 will mark the second year in his namesake competition, Shaw Classic in Estes Park, CO. He won last year and didn’t take a dime in reward. According to Bar Bend, Shaw hopes to make this competition the best in challenge and financial winnings across the globe.

Initially formed due to a lack of competitions and funds, Shaw decided to promote his own contest for fellow athletes, fans and the sport as a whole.

With businesses Evolution Athletics, Undefined Nutrition and Shaw Strength, the strongman says he’s continuing to grow the businesses. Both were launched during COVID and still new in the nutrition field.

Far from done, Shaw says he currently has no plans to retire and hopes to return in 2022 for the Strongman competition and more.

Sources: Wealthy Persons, Wealthy Genius, Most Expensive Thing, Denver Post, Bar Bend