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As the number of people living with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cancer, and other health scourges continues to skyrocket, so too does the demand for safe, effective treatments. People don’t just want to pop pills that mask symptoms and make it possible to “live with” a disease. And as much as we know that diet and lifestyle changes—being less sedentary, sleeping more, reducing stress—are needed to make real, sweeping public health impacts, implementation is a huge challenge. In the meantime, people need remedies that get to the root causes of their chronic health woes—ideally without a laundry list of possible side effects. 

Enter berberine, an alkaloid compound found in various plants. This is a textbook example of modern science confirming ancient wisdom. Chinese and ayurvedic medicine have valued berberine-containing plants like barberry, goldenseal, and tree turmeric for hundreds of years, using them to treat everything from gout to indigestion to hemorrhoids to skin infections to cancer. Now, research is uncovering exactly how berberine works—and it turns out to be quite a remarkable little substance. 

To date, there is pretty good evidence that berberine is useful for two applications in particular, and there are hints that it might serve other purposes as well. Let’s dive in.

Likely Benefits of Berberine

For Managing Blood Sugar, Insulin, and Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetics, berberine seems to lower fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin, decrease HbA1c (a three-month blood glucose average), and improve insulin sensitivity.¹ 

Some studies even suggest that berberine can be as effective as the drugs that are currently considered standard of care, notably metformin. There is also an additive benefit: administering metformin with berberine seems to be more effective than metformin alone.² However, as the authors of one review pointed out, studies comparing the two tend to be of less-than-ideal quality.³ Shockingly, drug companies aren’t exactly falling all over themselves to fund research to see if an herb can replace one of their lucrative products. 

Nevertheless, this is a big deal. Insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and the resulting inflammation are the common threads connecting numerous chronic diseases. It’s possible, even likely, that berberine could be used as a primary or adjunct therapy for many diseases that run rampant today. Take PCOS as an example. Insulin resistance is a hallmark of PCOS, and metformin is often prescribed to manage symptoms and encourage ovulation. In one study, 150 women received berberine, metformin, or a placebo before undergoing IVF. Women in both treatment groups showed similar improvements in metabolic health (lower BMI, less insulin resistance, lower fasting glucose and insulin), but 18 of those who took berberine had a successful pregnancy, compared to 14 in the metformin group and 7 in the placebo group.⁴ 

For Blood Lipids

Studies in rodents and humans with high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes pretty consistently find that berberine lowers LDL-C and triglycerides, usually while boosting HDL.^{5 6} It may also lower ApoB.⁷ ApoB is a lipoprotein that many cardiovascular disease experts now recognize is a more accurate marker of atherosclerotic disease risk than LDL or total cholesterol. In animal studies, berberine has been shown to decrease the severity of the plaques that characterize atherosclerosis.⁸

Setting aside questions about the value of lowering LDL across the board, berberine could be a viable option for people who don’t want to or are unable to take statins. For example, researchers conducted a study on type 2 diabetics with high cholesterol who were “statin intolerant,” meaning they experienced unsafe side effects when taking a statin.⁹ Participants were either still taking low-dose statins, a different a non-statin drug used to lower LDL, or nothing. Everyone took around 500 mg of berberine a day—either alone or alongside the drug they were already taking—combined with silymarin (aka milk thistle), which boosts berberine’s bioavailability. After one year, all three groups had lower LDL and total cholesterol, with nonsignificant changes in HDL and triglycerides. They also had lower fasting glucose and HbA1c. Of note, berberine alone was as effective as berberine plus one of the drugs. The berberine-alone group also experienced fewer side effects.

For folks who are already taking statins, adding berberine can increase the drugs’ lipid-lowering effects.¹⁰ Anecdotally, some folks use berberine to taper off of statins altogether. 

Other Possible Benefits of Berberine

As is often the case with more niche supplements, the available research on berberine tends to be somewhat limited in terms of volume and quality, especially when we’re talking about studies done in humans. Given what we currently know, the following applications are worth noting but far from definitive:

Cancer. A large number of in vitro (cell) studies have found that berberine has anti-cancer properties, but this has yet to be shown in actual cancer patients.¹¹  

Depression: Berberine supplementation may be useful in alleviating depression.¹² However, so far this finding has only been demonstrated in rodents (yes, rats can be depressed).

Memory: Berberine may enhance memory, especially counteracting memory deficits associated with diabetes and inflammation in the brain.¹³ 

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The progression of NAFLD is strongly related to insulin resistance, and some studies have already shown that berberine can improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in folks with NAFLD.¹⁴ More generally, berberine may support liver health. 

Microbiome: Researchers postulate that one of the ways berberine is able to exert its many effects is by improving gut health and function by modulating the microbiome.¹⁵ Berberine is also used to treat H. pylori infections.¹⁶

Longevity: Berberine delays cellular senescence—the loss of the ability to replicate, which is one of the things that defines the aging process—in isolated cells, fruit flies, and mice.^{17 18} Direct anti-aging effects have yet to be demonstrated in humans, though, and one study in yeast actually found that it shortened lifespan.¹⁹

How Does Berberine Do All This?

First and foremost, berberine activates AMPK. AMPK, you may remember, is an enzyme that is central to metabolic regulation at the cellular level. Its basic function is to ensure that cells have enough energy. AMPK has all sorts of health- and longevity-promoting effects, including activating insulin pathways, increasing glucose uptake, regulating blood lipids, inhibiting tumor growth, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy. Many of the behaviors we consider “healthy”—exercise, fasting, heat stress—are beneficial in large part because they affect AMPK signaling.

Aside from its impact on AMPK, researchers are discovering that berberine has an extensive array of actions throughout the body. Here are a handful of note:

• Berberine metabolites increase the expression of LDL receptors in liver cells, which helps pull LDL from the bloodstream, accounting for some of the lipid lowering effects.^{20 21}
• Promotes the expression of genes that decrease lipogenesis (fat formation) and increase mitochondrial uncoupling.²² The latter causes cells to burn more energy for heat, increasing metabolic rate and possibly promoting fat loss. Mitochondrial uncoupling is why brown fat is more metabolically active than white fat.
• Inhibits PCSK9, a protein that binds with LDL receptors and prevents LDL from being removed from the bloodstream.²³ PCSK9-inhibiting drugs are sometimes prescribed to patients with high LDL, especially folks with familial hypercholesterolemia.
• GLP-1 is a peptide that plays an important role in insulin secretion. GLP-1 response is impaired in diabetics. Berberine apparently binds with an enzyme called DPP IV that normally breaks down GLP-1. Basically, berberine prevents DPP IV from doing its job, allowing more GLP-1 to stay in the system.²⁴
• Can cross the blood brain barrier and influence the action of neurotransmitters like noradrenaline and serotonin.²⁵
• Has antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects.

Finally, some of the metabolic benefits might be chalked up to weight loss as some, but not all, studies find that taking berberine leads to lower waist circumference and BMI. I tend to see these as concomitant effects—metabolic health and body composition improving in concert with one another, creating a positive feedback loop. 

Any Downsides?

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, even with “natural” remedies. Overall, berberine has a pretty good reputation for safety, and studies consistently note that berberine is better tolerated and leads to fewer adverse events than the drugs it might replace (or complement). However, you should not take berberine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it’s unsafe for newborns and infants. Kids shouldn’t start it without medical supervision.

Since berberine affects liver metabolism, it can affect how certain medications are broken down and absorbed, so do your due diligence here if you’re on any prescription meds. 

Berberine – Yes or No?

Here’s where it stands for now: berberine looks quite promising for many aspects of metabolic health, but there’s still more research to be done, especially in humans. If you’re already taking metformin, a PCSK9 inhibitor, or a statin, or your doctor is pressuring you to do so, it is worth looking into. For blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity, lowering triglycerides, improving your TG:HDL ratio, your frontline strategies should always be diet and lifestyle, but there is certainly a case for exploring berberine in addition to these other strategies, especially when your best efforts still aren’t delivering the desired results. A dose of 1000-1500 mg per day is pretty standard. It’s not clear if this is optimal for every use case, but this is an active area of research, so stay tuned. 

Have you experimented with berberine? If so, why, and what were your results? Let me know in the comments.

The post What is Berberine and Should You Take It? appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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On Apr. 15, 2023, Hafthor Björnsson attempted a 252.5-kilogram (556.7-pound) raw bench press during a powerlifting competition held at Thor’s Power Gym in Kópavogur, Iceland. The athlete would not finish the repetition as he appeared to injure his left pectoral muscle immediately upon touching the barbell to his chest, leading him to grimace in pain while yelling to his spotters. Björnsson would require assistance to rise off the bench but was able to walk away under his own power.

In a YouTube video posted to his channel on Apr. 17, 2023, the Icelander stated that he tore his pec muscle.

Björnsson did not beat around the bush with his injury. He characterized it as a “complete tear off the bone,” which would require eventual surgery if confirmed, though it’s unclear if that was the official medical diagnosis. The athlete said he would undergo an MRI test on Apr. 18, 2023, which will give more clarity on the severity of his injury and reveal any potential next steps he needs to take in his recovery.

In what might be considered vintage Björnsson fashion, he proceeded to make light of his circumstances as a strongman and powerlifter. He even joked about his current relatively limited capabilities in the aftermath of his pec injury.

“I am doing okay, considering everything,” Björnsson clarified. “I came into the gym today [Apr. 17, 2023]. Did a half an hour of cardio, just to keep my sanity and get out of the house. Things are tough, I have to be honest. Hopefully I can make some of you guys laugh now. Things like wiping my [expletive] are difficult. I am left-handed … It’s life … This is literally the biggest injury of my career, so I’ve got to tackle this.”

Björnsson had been planning to break Daniel Bell’s raw (with wraps) all-time World Record total of 1,182.5 kilograms (2,606.9 pounds) from the 2021 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) Hybrid Showdown III. The athlete had even shared training tidbits like a raw 420-kilogram (925.9-pound) back squat on his road back to top strength form after a foray into boxing. Earlier in the meet, before the injury occurred, Björnsson successfully squatted 445 kilograms (981 pounds) with wraps. Björnsson, the 2018 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) champion, had previously announced plans to return to professional strongman sometime in 2024.

It is unclear how Björnsson’s pec injury will impact his timeline toward both his ambitious powerlifting and strongman goals. Presumably, if surgery is indeed necessary for his pec muscle’s recovery, the athlete will be sidelined for some time before eventually getting back in the saddle toward the powerlifting World Record and his strongman pursuits.

By the time he comes back to full-throttle training, one of the world’s most powerful athletes might channel this setback as motivation.

Featured image: Hafthor Bjornsson / YouTube

The post Hafthor Björnsson Says His Pec Injury Will Likely Require Surgery appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Some bodybuilders make it a point mainly to showcase their ripped, stacked physiques. They typically demonstrate their remarkable training progress through pictures and posing videos. Versatile bodybuilder and powerlifter Joe Mackey still generally adheres to these unofficial principles, but he’s a bit more unique in the strength presentation regard.

On Apr. 15, 2023, Mackey shared an Instagram video of himself capturing a 362.8-kilogram (800-pound) deadlift for four repetitions during a recent training session. According to the caption of the athlete’s post, the set is a four-rep personal record (PR). Mackey donned a lifting belt and utilized lifting straps to help him with the monstrous strength feat. He used a conventional stance with a traditional grip.

Scoring titanic deadlifts that literally bend a loaded barbell is nothing out of the ordinary for Mackey. He regularly makes it a point to showcase his deadlift-focused power, especially over his Instagram profile. The approximate past year alone has meant tremendous progress for the athlete in a few extraordinary cases.

In late April 2022, Mackey officially joined the 408.2-kilogram (900-pound) raw deadlift club with a massive single PR. Later, at the Iron Wars VI in May 2022, Mackey recorded a 385.5-kilogram (850-pound) raw pull. Then, in January 2023, Mackey officially topped his previous single PR with a raw deadlift of 412.8 kilograms (910 pounds) at the Iron Wars VII.

In a display of pure leg prowess, Mackey has shown off other aspects of his strength lately, too. A 449-kilogram (990-pound) hack squat for five reps from March 2023 is a perfect example. Because an athlete must primarily rely on their quads to finish hack squat repetitions by the nature of the machine, it’s clear Mackey hasn’t neglected other aspects of his lower body.

Outside of a powerlifting and strength context, Mackey fared relatively well in some of his most recent bodybuilding forays. Mackey finished in fourth place in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Tampa Pro and followed that up with a ninth-place performance at the 2022 Texas Pro. While unconfirmed at the time of this article’s publication, Mackey will presumably work on qualifying for his first-ever Mr. Olympia in November after falling short of reaching the sport’s pinnacle competition in 2022. To achieve that theoretical mission, he will have to win an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League contest on the 2023 calendar.

With a solid portion of 2023 remaining, it seems Mackey is able to make this year his oyster in various respects as an athlete. Whatever his upcoming plans are, if there’s a fitness box to check, it’s apparent Mackey will make every effort to fill it up with his metaphorical graphite pencil.

Featured image: @jmackey33_ifbbpro on Instagram

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The biggest contest in strongman, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), will take place on Apr. 19-23, 2023. After occurring in Sacramento, CA for 2021 and 2022, this year’s edition is changing it up by being set in Myrtle Beach, SC for the first time in the contest’s 46-year run. By the end of the weekend, another all-time strength champion will write another stirring chapter in the strongman history books.

Admission is free for fans attending the 2023 WSM in person at Burroughs & Chapin Pavilion Place, and gates open to the public at 7 a.m. Eastern time. There will be a fan festival area and a general admission viewing area for spectators. For those who wish to watch the 2023 WSM at home, there is no option to view it live. In the US, CBS Sports Network will air the 2023 WSM beginning on May 28, 2023. In the UK, the 2023 WSM will air on Channel 5 in December. In the meantime, the 2023 WSM’s various social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, will feature behind-the-scenes coverage while 15-time WSM athlete Terry Hollands conducts interviews with the competitors.

Tom Stoltman is the two-time defending WSM champion. The strongman is seeking history in the form of the third “three-peat” in the history of the flagship strength contest. To date, the only athletes to have ever successfully won three consecutive WSM titles were the United States’ Bill Kazmaier (1980-1982) and Iceland’s Magnús Ver Magnússon (1994-1996).

Here is the 30-man roster for the 2023 WSM:

2023 World’s Strongest Man Roster

• Tom Stoltman (United Kingdom) — Defending two-time WSM champion
• Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
• Evan Singleton (United States)
• Mitchell Hooper (Canada)
• Trey Mitchell (United States)
• Adam Bishop (United Kingdom)
• Aivars Šmaukstelis (Latvia)
• Kevin Faires (United States)
• Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
• Paul Smith (United Kingdom)
• Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
• Bobby Thompson (United States)
• Mateusz Kieliszkowski (Poland)
• Gavin Bilton (United Kingdom)
• Spenser Remick (United States)
• Eddie Williams (Australia)
• Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
• Graham Hicks (United Kingdom)
• Luke Stoltman (United Kingdom)
• Mathew Ragg (New Zealand)
• Gabriel Rhéaume (Canada)
• Brian Shaw (United States)
• Fadi El Masri (Australia)
• Jaco Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
• Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
• Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (Australia)
• Mark Felix (United Kingdom)
• Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
• Cheick “Iron Biby” Sanou (Burkina Faso)
• Thomas Evans (United States)
• *Pavlo Nakonechnyy (Ukraine) — *Withdrawn
• *Maxime Boudreault (Canada) — *Withdrawn

The WSM organization will reveal the Qualifying Round groups for the 2023 WSM on Apr. 18, 2023 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. While unconfirmed, it is anticipated there will once again be six groups of five competitors each. Hollands will conduct the group announcement in front of a live audience in Myrtle Beach and it will be livestreamed.

2023 World’s Strongest Man Events Schedule

Here are the events and their scheduling for the 2023 WSM:

Qualifying Stage Day One

• Event One: Loading Race — April 19 | 8 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Two: Deadlift Machine — April 19 | 11:29 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Three: Log Ladder — April 19 | 4:49 p.m., Sand Stage

Qualifying Stage Day Two

• Event Four: Conan’s Wheel — April 20 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Kettlebell Toss — April 20 | 1:20 p.m., Sand Stage
• Event Six: Stone Off — April 20 | 6:13 p.m., Land Stage

Rest Day — April 21, 2023

Final Day One

Just 10 strongmen will advance to the Final after the Qualifying Round.

• Event One: Fingal’s Fingers — April 22 | 8 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Two: KNAACK Deadlift — April 22 | 10:41 a.m., Sand Stage
• Event Three: Reign Shield Carry — April 22 | 2:18 p.m., Street Stage

Final Day Two

• Event Four: Max Dumbbell — April 23 | 8 a.m., Land Stage
• Event Five: Vehicle Pull — April 23 | 10:10 a.m., Street Stage
• Event Six: Atlas Stones — April 23 | 1:54 p.m., Sand Stage

Stoltman’s “three-peat” pursuit aside, there are other notable storylines to watch at the 2023 WSM.

For example, four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) Brian Shaw will compete in his last-ever WSM. Long-time WSM competitor Mark Felix will also be putting a bow on his WSM career. The 2023 WSM will mark the athlete’s 18th appearance at the contest.

Meanwhile, other potential bona fide WSM contenders include Mitchell Hooper. The Canadian athlete has won four of his last five strongman contests and blitzed the 2022 WSM in his debut by qualifying for the Final. Even while nursing a lat muscle injury, Oleksii Novikov will be someone to watch, too. Novikov has qualified for the podium in 15 straight competitions dating back to July 2021. Aside from Shaw and the defending champion Stoltman, Novikov is the only other former WSM winner (2020) in the field.

As past WSM editions have shown, anything can and likely will happen in Myrtle Beach. The only reality that seems inevitable is that some of the world’s most physically powerful people will show off their sheer strength to an admiring crowd in person and at home.

Featured image: @theworldsstrongestman on Instagram

The post How To Watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ronnie Coleman and Ken “Flex” Wheeler had a great bodybuilding rivalry. Of his eight overall Mr. Olympia victories from 1998 to 2005, Coleman would best Wheeler for four of them (1998-2000, 2002). The closest Wheeler came to toppling Coleman were consecutive runner-up finishes in both the 1998 and 1999 editions. The 1998 contest, in particular, holds a special place in bodybuilding history as Coleman’s first Olympia win. It’s that very same contest in which Coleman believes Wheeler gave him an initial advantage.

On Apr. 12, 2023, Coleman discussed parts of his bodybuilding career in a segment of a conversation with current bodybuilding star Derek Lunsford. Coleman and Lunsford recently trained together in a meeting of past and present superstars. In his discussion with Lunsford, the legend revealed it was Wheeler who introduced him to iconic trainer Chad Nicholls and changed his nutritional outlook.

According to Coleman, when Wheeler introduced Coleman to Nicholls sometime before the 1998 Mr. Olympia, he altered the course of bodybuilding history.

His eventual rival helped turn Coleman into the all-time legend he’s now known as.

“A lot of people don’t know it but Flex Wheeler is pretty much the reason why I won the [1998 Mr.] Olympia because he turned me on to Chad Nicholls,” Coleman told Lunsford.

At first, Coleman had trouble reaching Nicholls. However, that was only a minor and expected impasse in the pair’s training relationship. Eventually, they’d get together, and Coleman’s dynastic run would start soon after.

“He [Wheeler] gave me his number and I called Chad [Nicholls] but Chad didn’t pick up the phone,” Coleman explained. “I said, ‘Flex [Wheeler] why’d you have me call this guy Chad, he didn’t pick up the phone.’ He [Wheeler] says, ‘Nah, he’s just like that, man. Call him again, and he’ll call you back.’ He [Nicholls] called me back and the rest is pretty much history. I won my first Olympia that year [1998] by hooking up with him.”

How did Nicholls change Coleman’s Olympia preparation approach? Per Coleman, among other tidbits, the trainer revamped his nutrition, eventually having the athlete eat almost a full pound of food in every meal.

“He [Nicholls] changed everything I was doing, everything,” Coleman said. “I went from doing, like, an hour of cardio a day to two hours. I went from eating half a pound of food with every meal to a whole pound. I went from training maybe 45 minutes to an hour a day to about maybe an hour, an hour and a half, sometimes an hour and 15 minutes of training because I was trying to do some of everything.”

In recent years, long after after his work with Coleman, Nicholls is perhaps most notable for his partnership with former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The trainer’s son, Morgan, is also an ascending powerlifter.

Even while he never beat Coleman for a Mr. Olympia title, Wheeler can still boast four Arnold Classic (AC) victories (1993, 1997-1998, 2000) as well as a runner-up placing in the 1993 Mr. Olympia, behind six-time winner Dorian Yates. With his competitive record, Wheeler is often considered one of the greatest bodybuilders to never win the sport’s most prestigious title. With both legends’ careers now in the rearview mirror, the former rivals each have something to hang their hat on. It’s ironic, then, that without Wheeler’s training intervention, Coleman perhaps never ascends to bodybuilding prominence.

Featured image: Ronnie Coleman on YouTube

The post Ronnie Coleman Credits Flex Wheeler For Helping Start His Mr. Olympia Dynasty appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Mateusz Kieliszkowski hoped to finally break through with a World’s Strongest Man (WSM) victory in 2022. Yet, roughly two months before the contest, the Polish strongman withdrew after suffering a leg injury. After a three-year WSM absence, Kieliszkowski’s return nears in Myrtle Beach, SC, on Apr. 19-23, 2023. It seems he’s pulling out all the stops. Quite literally.

On Apr. 12, 2023, Kieliszkowski shared an Instagram video of himself pulling a 32-ton (64,000-pound) truck. Kieliszkowski also lists the weight in his post as 70,547 pounds, but that is a likely typo or conversion error. The athlete writes that the monstrous truck-pulling feat is the last stop in his 2023 WSM prep before taking time to appropriately recuperate his strength.

In his post, Kieliszkowski explains that he really only spent three weeks on hardcore preparation focused on the 2023 WSM. He maintained that his last true WSM preparation in 2019 was much more comprehensive and may have led to his eventual second consecutive runner-up performance. On this occasion, the athlete did not clarify precisely why he took less time to prepare, which may be related to lapses in the timeline related to his leg injury. The athlete also participated in the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC) in early March, where he earned second place. That competition could’ve shuffled around his training plans as his competitive energy was momentarily diverted elsewhere.

As such, Kieliszkowski isn’t setting expectations for his individual performance very high. He’ll be happy with a solid qualification as something to build on for the future with quality patience and planning.

“Three weeks behind is not enough time to make miracles happen,” Kieliszkowski wrote in a translation. “That’s why I don’t ask for much from myself. The goal is to get to the [2023 WSM] Final and then everything will be clear in the process. Next recovery, return to training and old form and then hit 2024 with full force.”

At age 29, Kieliszkowski is one of the more established modern elite strongmen with the profile to back it up. According to Strongman Archives, in addition to his WSM runner-up finishes in 2018-2019, Kieliszkowski is a five-time Poland’s Strongest Man (PSM) champion (2015-2019). He is also a two-time winner of the Giants Live World Tour Finals (2018-2019) and came in first during the 2019 World’s Ultimate Strongman.

It’s clear that in the late 2010s, Kieliszkowski turned himself into a strongman powerhouse to be reckoned with. His 2023 ASC runner-up performance might be evidence “The Polish Terminator” is on his way back to prominence. Even if Kieliszkowski believes he’s behind the eight-ball with the 2023 WSM, the titan could very well come to surprise many people in Myrtle Beach.

Featured image: @kieliszkowskimateusz on Instagram

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Brian Shaw will end his strongman career on his terms in 2023. The upcoming 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) will be the four-time champion’s (2011, 2013, 2015-2016) last appearance in the prestigious contest. Then, in late August, the 2023 Shaw Classic (SC) will be his last-ever strongman competition. These plans to close a legendary career on a healthy note were almost in jeopardy.

On Apr. 13, 2023, Shaw posted a “Road to WSM” video to his YouTube channel where the athlete revealed he was healing from a right leg infection in late January 2023. While Shaw didn’t initially describe the precise nature or severity of the infection, it apparently almost led to unfortunate disaster in the form of him losing his leg.

In the video, where Shaw lies in a hospital bed in recovery, he doesn’t mince his words about the greatest fear of his infection. He described the worst possible scenario — amputation — which apparently could’ve been one treatment considered.

Fortunately, Shaw avoided this outcome.

“The biggest thing is that it didn’t go into my bloodstream,” Shaw explained. “So, if I would have waited potentially any longer, the big fear would be it going into my bloodstream. Once it does that, the outcome might not be as good, meaning a possible amputation.”

Despite this monumental obstacle in his path, Shaw kept his eyes on the prize. With the ball out of his court, all the strongman could really do was positively frame his situation and hope for the best. Even from the hospital, the legend didn’t let his almost dire circumstances get him down. He kept up with his nutrition with the idea he would eventually leave the medical facility healthy.

Why? Shaw had is crosshairs fixed on another WSM title and a fruitful end to his career as motivation.

“When you battle some adversity like this, you just have to find a way,” Shaw said. “… I’m trying to get five meals in a day right now. The goal is to walk out of here having not lost a lot of bodyweight.”

Ultimately, Shaw had quite the optimistic outlook, comparing his infection to some of the adversity he battled en route to winning the 2013 WSM title. Roughly three months before that contest, Shaw underwent nerve surgery and still went on to victory. Following his recent infection troubles, Shaw hopes for similar results this time, as his strongman career comes to a close.

“This has reminded me the most of 2013,” Shaw explained. “In 2013 I had to have a nerve release surgery done approximately three months out from the WSM. So, I’ve been telling myself, as I’ve been sitting here, that this leg infection is not as bad as that.”

Editor’s Note: In a follow-up video posted to his YouTube channel on April 14, 2023, Shaw clarified that he was officially diagnosed was an aggressive form of cellulitis — a bacterial skin infection — and spent a total of eight days in the hospital.

Featured image: SHAWSTRENGTH on YouTube

The post Brian Shaw Overcame Leg Infection That Threatened His Final World’s Strongest Man appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Research of the Week

Unintended effects of “child neglect” laws.

Mosquitoes love light pollution.

The Indo European expansion may have used ships, not just horses.

Why did duelers in the South use inaccurate weapons?

During energy restriction, both moderate and high volume lifting can preserve lean mass. Just lift!

New Primal Kitchen Podcasts

Primal Health Coach Radio: Dallas Travers

Primal Kitchen Podcast: Peak Performance Through a Primal Lens with Brad Kearns

Media, Schmedia

Is ice cream (a little) good for you?

Can anything stop the feral hog invasion of Texas?

Interesting Blog Posts

Fructose.

Good deep fryers.

Social Notes

Setbacks are smaller than they appear.

Everything Else

The genetic timeline of the human brain and cognition.

Things I’m Up to and Interested In

Tradition always wins when it comes to food: Korean clay fermentation pots make better kimchi than modern steel or plastic ones.

Good transhumanism: Wearing fish skin to heal severe burns.

This is very bad: Ozempic, the new weight loss drug, causes a LOT of lean mass loss.

Fascinating: The founding crops of early agriculture were far more diverse than previously thought.

Interesting: Metabolic syndrome severity test.

Question I’m Asking

How’d you score on the above test?

Recipe Corner

• Gluten-free but not low-carb, unless you leave out the noodles: Pho Saigon.
• Thai basil chicken.

Time Capsule

One year ago (Apr 8 – Apr 14)

• Dear Mark: What is Turkesterone, and Can It Help Me Build Muscle?—Can it?
• Are There Any Good Carbs?—Well, are there?

Comment of the Week

“Methane suppressants for cows to curb climate change.

Hmm… Would it stop farting in humans? It could be the blockbuster pill of the decade. Imagine teenagers beating a path to your door with $15 each for a pack of pills to stop farting before a big date night. Early retirement for whoever markets that. Dumber stuff has made people rich.“

-Not a bad idea..

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When it comes to prolific, successful resumes, few modern strongmen might be able to match the profile of Jean-François Caron, aka “JF Caron.” Later this year, the 40-year-old strongman world could see the veteran return to the sport after taking some necessary time away.

In a YouTube interview with Laurence Shahlaei on Apr. 6, 2023, Caron revealed he would attempt a strongman comeback sometime in late 2023. The nine-time Canada’s Strongest Man (CSM) champion (2011-2019) had previously suffered two torn patellar tendons during the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). After a period of recovery, Caron maintained he was training again to return to form.

While largely bedridden while recovering from his injuries, Caron had lost 60 pounds of body weight. Making a jump back to the upper echelon is no guarantee after what the veteran endured, but he seems committed to making it happen through his training. Some recent 400-kilogram (881.8-pound) deadlifts and 270-kilogram (595.2-pound) back squats for reps are demonstrations of the power Caron is reassembling.

That said, it may still take some time before he’s ready to square off with some of the strongest people on the globe in an official competitive capacity. He still has a lot of progress to make before he can perform the requisite movements needed to shine as a professional strongman again.

“The power is there. It’s just not fluid like before,” Caron said. “… Changing directions … I’m not safe like before. Explosive movements will take more time.”

Caron declared that he will begin working on event-focused training with 2021 CSM victor Gabriel Rhéaume once he returns from the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). That contest will take place on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. At the time of this writing, Caron has not outlined an exact training timeline.

As for Caron’s overall profile, he has quite the mantle to lean on.

According to Strongman Archives, the athlete has appeared in over 80 competitions and earned nearly 20 victories, including his CSM title reign and a win in the 2022 Forca Bruta. Before his recent injuries, Caron had competed 11 of 13 WSM contests since the year 2008 (missing 2009-2010) and placed among the top 6 in seven consecutive editions (2015-2021).

It’s unclear precisely when Caron will try to compete again, but he stated an expectation to be ready to compete by October. Whether he has eyes on the 2023 Rogue Invitational, typically held in late October, wasn’t clear.

If he is healthy enough, Caron did share that he will try to compete again at the 2023 Magnus ver Magnusson Classic. At the time of this writing, that competition does not have a concrete date, but it usually occurs around late November in Iceland, based on past precedent.

Whether the strongman fixture returns to relative prominence in Iceland or at a later date, the strength athlete is sure to be welcomed back, by fans and peers alike, after the devastating injury that many expected to be career-ending.

Featured image: @jfcaronstrongman on Instagram

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Seven American strongmen will be featured in the 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM), set to take place on Apr. 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, SC. Led by legendary four-time WSM champion Brian Shaw — who will be competing in his last WSM this year — this stacked group of strength athletes is as follows:

• Brian Shaw — Four-time WSM champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016)
• Bobby Thompson — American log lift record holder (217.5 kilograms/478.5 pounds)
• Trey Mitchell — Reigning two-time Shaw Classic (SC) champion (2021-2022)
• Evan Singleton — First-ever Arnold Strongman Classic UK (ASCUK) champion (2021)
• Kevin Faires — Dinnie Stones Walk World Record holder (31 feet, seven inches)
• Spenser Remick — 2022 Official Strongman Games (OSG) champion
• Tom Evans — Winner of the 2022 Shaw Classic Open and 2022 Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships

Six of these American athletes recently came together for a powerful WSM training session about a week before the biggest contest in strongman. Evans was noticeably absent, likely due to his last-minute addition to the WSM roster as a replacement for the injured Pavlo Nakonechnyy. On Apr. 11, 2023, Shaw posted a video on his YouTube channel chronicling the group’s time together.

The six American athletes performed five movements that somewhat mirror events expected at the 2023 WSM.

They began the day by loading sandbags and a weighted keg onto a platform. The weights and distance weren’t revealed. While it was impossible to recreate its exact format in advance, this was in reference to the Loading Race from the Qualifying Stage of the competition.

“Definitely a good start with these guys. All of us are primed and ready for World’s Strongest Man. But this is the tune-up and, at the end of the day, iron really does sharpen iron,” Shaw said after completing the first training medley. “So it’s why I wanted to have these guys out and in the gym with me heading in. My goal is for them to push me, me to push them, and all of our levels to go up. Collectively, that’s what’s going to happen.”

They then shifted to a log ladder with five implements that featured gradually increasing weight. Only Singleton and Faires failed to lift all five logs. The Log Ladder will be the final event of the first day of the 2023 WSM.

Next, the group threw in some heavy overhead dumbbell work and a single Fingal’s Finger. Unlike the start of the session, no one amongst the American group of competitors is guaranteed to perform these events at the WSM, as they comprise different portions of the two-day Final.

To close their day together, the six took to the Conan’s Wheel, where the athlete’s task is to carry around a heavy implement in a circular, fixed motion as far as possible. The Conan’s Wheel will likely be a climactic moment for some WSM competitors as it starts the second day of Qualifying.

Here is an overview of the complete 2023 WSM event schedule:

Qualifying Stage Day One | Wednesday, Apr. 19, 2023

• Event One — Loading Race
• Event Two — Deadlift Machine 
• Event Three — Log Ladder

Qualifying Stage Day Two | Thursday, Apr. 20, 2023

• Event Four — Conan’s Wheel 
• Event Five — Kettlebell Toss
• Event Six — Stone Off

Final Day One | Saturady, Apr. 22, 2023

Ten athletes will advance from the Qualifying stage to the Final.

• Event One — Fingal’s Fingers
• Event Two — KNAACK Deadlift 
• Event Three — Reign Shield Carry 

Final Day Two | Sunday, Apr. 23, 2023

• Event Four — Max Dumbbell
• Event Five — Vehicle Pull 
• Event Six — Atlas Stones

Of the seven American competitors, it would stand to reason that Shaw and his championship pedigree may likely fare the best of the bunch at the 2023 WSM. Someone like Mitchell, with his two consecutive SC victories, could also be a dark horse. Mitchell’s best-ever WSM placing was in 10th at the 2021 iteration.

This isn’t to say that Singleton, Faires, Thompson, and Remick won’t thrive. Just because there are presumed favorites, doesn’t mean another American stud can’t come out of the blue to level a talented field.

Featured image: @shawstrength on Instagram

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