In the high-intensity world of bodybuilding and strength sports, the physical prowess of the athletes often overshadows the mental games they play. However, in a recent Q&A session titled “UPCOMING BOXING MATCH?! | Q&A” on his YouTube channel, SHAWSTRENGTH, Brian Shaw, an icon in the strongman community, who retired after horrifying health atrocities, revealed a tactic he employed which was more cerebral than muscular.
Historically, weight has been a crucial metric in strength sports. For the audience and competitors alike, this number often serves as a benchmark, indicating potential performance capabilities. But, for Shaw, this wasn’t the case. He consistently avoided discussing his weight, turning it into a mind game.
A tool for mind games
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In his Q&A, Shaw candidly remarked, “I did not weigh and I actually didn’t know exactly what my weight was.” Initially, he admitted he often avoided scales around competitions for personal reasons. The heart of the matter was that he didn’t want any number, high or low, to potentially affect his performance. He emphasized the important role of mental state in competitions, sometimes even more critical than physical strength.
His decision to remain silent on the topic had repercussions that echoed beyond his personal strategy. Shaw said, “It actually turned into something where it got into a lot of other competitors’ heads because I would not weigh in and would not say how much I weighed.”
This deliberate tactic was more than just personal protection; Shaw admitted, “It messed with a lot of the other competitors and I enjoyed that.” The mere act of withholding such a simple piece of information became a psychological tool that unsettled many of his rivals.
Brian Shaw: revelations and strategy
Revealing a bit more, he shared, “I would say that at my biggest I was probably between 460 and 470 lbs.” While this disclosure doesn’t change his records, it provides deeper insight into the man’s strategy and his cunning approach to the game.
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Shaw’s psychological strategies offer a window into the depth of his understanding of competition dynamics. In a sport where every detail can matter. Not knowing can be a source of discomfort, even for the most seasoned athletes. By not revealing his weight, Shaw not only maintained his focus but used the unknown as a strategy to rattle his competitors.
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In conclusion, while Brian Shaw’s physical feats have set him apart as a legend. The psychological strategies he revealed in his recent video further elevate his stature in the world of strongman competitions. Sports, especially those as physically demanding as strongman, have a potent mental component. Shaw’s silent tactic was a masterclass in psychological warfare.