
Strongman Brian Shaw was hospitalized in January 2023 after developing a severe case of cellulitis—a bacterial skin infection—in his leg. Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, revealed in a video posted to his YouTube channel that he almost lost his leg due to the infection, which was treated with IV antibiotics during his eight-day hospital stay. Despite the setback, Shaw maintained his focus on competing in the World's Strongest Man competition, expressing his determination to win and make a record in strength sports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Severe leg infection |
| Type of infection | Aggressive cellulitis (bacterial skin infection) |
| Treatment | IV antibiotics |
| Length of hospital stay | 8 days |
| Outcome | Recovered, but had to refrain from training temporarily |
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What You'll Learn

Brian Shaw's leg infection
Strongman Brian Shaw was hospitalized for a severe leg infection that almost led to amputation. Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, shared his experience in a video posted to his YouTube channel, Shawstrength, in January 2023, revealing that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.
In the video, Shaw narrated that he initially tried to treat the infection with antibiotics at home, but his condition worsened to the point where he was having trouble walking. He sought medical attention and was hospitalized for eight days. Shaw expressed his relief that the infection did not enter his bloodstream, as that could have led to possible amputation.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Shaw maintained a positive attitude and focused on his nutrition and recovery. He shared his goal of wanting to walk out of the hospital without losing much weight and was determined to get back into training for the World's Strongest Man competition. Shaw's dedication and optimism are evident in his quotes, such as, "Adversity causes some men to break, some men to break records," and "When you battle some adversity like this, you just have to find a way."
Shaw's hospitalization and recovery served as a setback in his training for the World's Strongest Man competition, which was scheduled for April 19-23, 2023, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. However, with his resilience and determination, Shaw was able to resume his training and keep his eyes on winning another WSM title.
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The infection was almost fatal
Brian Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, almost lost his leg due to a severe leg infection that required hospitalisation. Shaw's infection was identified as an aggressive form of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that spreads quickly and deeply into the skin and tissue.
Shaw first tried to treat the infection with a course of antibiotics at home, but his symptoms worsened. The infection became so painful that he had difficulty walking, and he was hospitalised in January 2023. Shaw spent eight days in the hospital, where he received IV antibiotics to treat the infection.
Shaw's situation was dire, and the infection nearly resulted in amputation. He shared his fears about the possibility of the infection entering his bloodstream, which could have led to a worse outcome. The strongman legend expressed his determination to overcome this challenge, comparing it to his previous comeback in 2013 when he had to teach his fingers how to move again after surgery.
Shaw's positive mindset and unwavering focus on his goals helped him stay motivated during his recovery. Even while in the hospital, he maintained his nutrition and aimed to walk out without losing significant body weight. His dedication to his sport and his resilience in the face of adversity are testaments to his character.
Shaw's experience serves as a reminder of the seriousness of infections and the potential for rapid deterioration. His story also highlights the importance of swift prevention and treatment to avoid life-threatening complications.
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Shaw's career was at risk
Strongman Brian Shaw's career was at risk after he was hospitalised with a severe leg infection. The four-time World's Strongest Man winner revealed in a video that he almost lost his leg earlier in 2023.
Shaw explained that he had come down with an infection in his leg, and a course of antibiotics at home did not help. In fact, his condition worsened to the point where he was "having trouble walking". The 41-year-old was hospitalised for eight days and treated with IV antibiotics. Shaw said that his biggest fear was that the infection would enter his bloodstream, which could have led to possible amputation.
Shaw's training for the 2023 World's Strongest Man competition was put on hold, and he had to take a break from lifting heavy weights. However, he remained focused on his goal of competing and winning the title. He maintained his nutrition and diet, aiming to walk out of the hospital without losing too much weight. Shaw's positive mindset and determination to overcome adversity were evident as he shared his experiences on his YouTube channel, ShawStrength.
Shaw's career was indeed at risk due to the severity of the infection and the potential for amputation. However, his swift medical attention and treatment prevented further complications. With his resilience and dedication to recovery, Shaw was able to get back on track with his training and prepare for his final competition.
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Shaw's mental health was impacted
Strongman Brian Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, was hospitalized for a severe leg infection. Shaw's hospitalization came just months before his final World's Strongest Man competition, threatening his participation in the contest.
Despite his positive attitude, Shaw admitted that the recovery process was difficult. He had to refrain from training to avoid worsening his condition, which was mentally challenging for the strongman. Shaw shared that he felt "complete garbage" during this period, indicating a sense of physical weakness and discomfort.
However, Shaw remained resolute and kept his eyes on his goal of competing in the World's Strongest Man competition. He focused on maintaining his nutrition and diet during his hospitalization, aiming to minimize weight loss. Shaw also kept his mind occupied by reviewing training videos and thinking about his training regimen.
Shaw's mental resilience is evident in his ability to positively frame his situation and maintain a determined mindset. He compared his infection to the adversity he faced in 2013, when he had to undergo nerve release surgery and retrain his hand just months before the World's Strongest Man competition that year.
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Shaw's recovery and return to training
Brian Shaw, a four-time World's Strongest Man winner, was hospitalised in January 2023 due to a severe leg infection. Shaw revealed in a video that he almost lost his leg as a result of the infection, which was later diagnosed as an aggressive form of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.
Shaw spent eight days in the hospital receiving treatment for his infection. During his hospital stay, he focused on maintaining his nutrition, aiming to consume five meals per day to prevent significant weight loss. He also kept his mind occupied by reviewing training videos and thinking about his training regimen.
Upon his release from the hospital, Shaw returned to his gym just two hours later, eager to resume his training. However, he quickly realised that he needed to refrain from lifting heavy weights too soon, as he still felt uncomfortable and weak. Shaw compared his situation to his recovery from nerve release surgery in 2013, which required him to re-learn how to move his fingers and function with his hand while also training for the World's Strongest Man (WSM) competition.
Shaw's positive mindset and determination played a crucial role in his recovery and return to training. He remained optimistic and motivated by the prospect of winning another WSM title and ending his strongman career on a high note. Despite the challenges, Shaw pushed through, stating, "When you battle some adversity like this, you just have to find a way."
Shaw's training appears to be back on track, and he is determined to make a successful comeback at the 2023 World's Strongest Man competition, which will be his final appearance in the prestigious contest. With his resilience and dedication, Shaw is an inspiration to many, and his recovery and return to training showcase his strength and perseverance.
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Frequently asked questions
Brian Shaw was in the hospital for a severe leg infection.
Brian Shaw was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection.
No, but he almost did. He revealed in a video that the infection had gotten so bad that he was "having trouble walking".
Brian Shaw received IV antibiotics in the hospital. He spent a total of eight days in the hospital.



















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