Black Hills State University alumni, Brian Shaw, prepares for the World’s Strongest Man Competition. After graduating in 2004 with a degree in wellness management, Shaw became a graduate assistant in the strength and conditioning department at the University of Arizona. Shaw realized he wasn’t ready to make the athlete-to-coach transition and decided to return home to Colorado in 2005. On a whim, he entered a local amateur strongman contest, Denver’s Strongest Man, and won. “Strongman tests how much muscle you have and how much power you can generate,” he said. “I have to be good at all the events in order to win.” Shaw said he feels blessed to do what he loves, but winning The World’s Strongest Man would be a dream realized. Visit the Rapid City Journal for more information regarding this story.