Brian Alsruhe is a champion strongman athlete who has overcome an astounding list of setbacks: two back breaks, a brain tumor, parasites, and a bone marrow infection, to name just a few. After finding help through the strength community, Brian is building a brand and gym around putting intensity and focus back into training to help more people lift through adversity. Brian’s story is unlike any we’ve heard before; this is one you won’t want to miss.
Our conversation gets heavy in some sections. Brian discusses his experiences with illness and injury, including thoughts regarding self-harm. If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255 as well as online.
In this episode of the BarBend Podcast, host David Thomas Tao talks to Brian Alsruhe about:
- Brian’s upbringing and introduction to strength athletics (2:42)
- Learning strongman from the legendary Mike Jenkins, and fulfilling a promise after Mike’s tragic death (4:00)
- Paying it forward in strength athletes, and how the community rallies around each other (9:04)
- “I don’t know how much more beat up my body can get and still be productive in 20 years” (12:20)
- Brian’s fascinating story of overcoming medical challenges and adversity (14:17)
- Designing workouts around his medical limitations and “suffering beautifully” (18:08)
- Finding help from within the strength community (22:00)
- Why Brian’s dream training partner is “No One” (27:38)
- How to put intensity back into your training (31:20)
Relevant links and further reading:
- Follow Brian on Instagram and YouTube
- Visit Brian’s website
- Follow David Thomas Tao on Instagram and Twitter
