The Path To Greatness: My Journey to the 2011 World’s Strongest Man, by Brian Shaw with Sam Feeney - The Official Brian Shaw Biography

by Brian Shaw, Sam Feeney

By 4x World’s Strongest Man and the 2023 Strongest Man on Earth, Brian Shaw

This is more than a story—it's a rare look behind the curtain. In The Path to Greatness, Brian Shaw opens up like never before, revealing the mindset, habits, and defining moments that shaped his journey to becoming one of the most legendary strength athletes in history.

This book is a front-row seat to the life, philosophy, and drive of a man who doesn’t just chase greatness—he builds it every day. Whether you're chasing big goals or just looking for a dose of real motivation, this is the kind of book that sharpens your focus and strengthens your resolve.

Book Paperback
300+ Pages

300 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Arnaud · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided not to purchase the full book after reading the free sample. The text feels like a repetitive sermon on self-discipline, where the author constantly uses himself as the gold standard. The narrative follows a wearying pattern: "I did this and that, even when it was hard, and here is how I benefited."

What bothered me most was the lack of external influence; the author speaks as if all his drive came solely from himself and his parents, without acknowledging mentors or inspiring figures. His descriptions of others often lean toward the condescending. I was hoping for a deeper look into the "why" behind his journey, the vulnerabilities or struggles that pushed him to such extremes, but the sample suggests this won't be explored. It feels more like a lecture on discipline than a relatable life story.

[Matthew W McCullough · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Brian Shaw but this book isn't great. It is all information mentioned on his YouTube channel or Podcast. There was so much potential but the book reads like an extended Wikipedia profile with no depth.

For example, the book offers two sentences about his church's student group when he was a teenager, but nothing about his faith, if any. What was his relationship with God during the early stages of his strongman journey or during his failures?

There are so many crazy colorful characters in strongman, but there are no stories about interacting with them or behind the scenes hijinks.

Brian Shaw has an amazing or complex story, unfortunately it really isn't shared here.

[David Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is definitely biased as I have been a fan of Brian Shaw for many years. This book follows WSM Brian Shaw as he explains all the trials and tribulations as he takes on the grueling task of being great. After finishing the book I felt like I was able to run through a brick wall. It was a raw and emotional story, I found myself feeling good at his accomplishment and frustrated at some of the controversial calls.

[Casan Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book. I’ve been a fan of Brian Shaw for about a decade now, and was already familiar with his story. But, it was great to hear new details and much more information on his early life. The book also contains lots of photos. Great read!