Four-time World’s Strongest Man Brian Shaw has shared his first public update since undergoing stem cell treatment — the latest step in what he calls a private health “battle” that’s lasted more than two years.
In a candid new video on his YouTube channel SHAWSTRENGTH, Shaw opened up about the delicate recovery process he’s undergoing after receiving treatment for a long-term leg issue that began with a severe cellulitis infection in 2023 – an illness that nearly cost him his leg.
“I had to take two weeks off of training,” he told fans, adding, “this is something with the stem cells where you can not do too much damage to your body, and essentially, when you’re training, you’re breaking down muscle tissue. And we didn’t want the stem cells to go try and repair all my muscle tissue.”
For two weeks, Shaw’s routine shifted drastically. Just walking — and minimal movement. “Which for me is not normal,” he said.
He noted that following the treatment, “my leg actually swelled up more,” which doctors assured him was a typical reaction. The effects of the stem cells are expected to continue over the coming months. “So, the good news is, I’ve made it through the two weeks, and I’ve started to see some slight improvements. Staying positive with something like this is massively important.”
While Shaw had hoped for a more immediate breakthrough, he remains grounded and focused. “I wish that I could say, ‘Hey, we’re a couple of weeks into this thing. My leg is perfect, it’s fixed,’ that would be a dream scenario. That’s not quite the reality. So I’ve just got to keep grinding. There’s still more treatment that I’ve got to do with my leg moving forward.”
The update follows an emotional reveal earlier this year when Shaw, 43, publicly addressed his health struggle for the first time, sharing that he had travelled to Dubai to receive care from Dr. Khan at Eterna Health.
“Many of you know I had a terrible cellulitis infection in my leg back in 2023 and have suffered from the effects of that infection since then trying more treatments than I can count,” he said in a candid video shared last month. “I also spent my 10th anniversary this summer on the 4th of July back in the hospital with another cellulitis infection which was tough to deal with.”
His wife, Keri Shaw, also opened up about how deeply the ordeal had affected their lives. “Brian has been privately dealing with some serious issues in his leg for over 2 and a half years since his initial case of cellulitis. We spent our 10 year anniversary this past summer in the hospital as he fought another case of it. It’s been heartbreaking watching him battle this every single day and the negative impacts it’s had on our lives in ways people wouldn’t understand.”
She praised Brian’s openness and resilience: “Today, he shared a little more on his YouTube channel SHAWSTRENGTH as well as a new treatment he is trying because, quite frankly, he’s desperate. I’m so proud of him and thankful to be his wife – now of 10+ years! For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.”
Back in 2023, the infection reached a terrifying low point. “I had an extremely bad leg infection where they were talking about potentially cutting my leg off,” Shaw said. “I was able to get through that. I was able to come back and compete at World’s Strongest Man and then Strongest Man on Earth, which was my final competition. And the after effects from that infection have not gone away. So, the last couple years have been, I’m going to say, a battle.”
He tried everything from diets and massage-based therapies to invasive procedures — with little success. The relapse during his anniversary was a serious setback. “Over the 4th of July, which was my 10-year anniversary, I was back in the hospital, leg infected again, which made me even more concerned,” he recalled.
It was legendary powerlifter Ed Coan who encouraged Shaw to meet Dr. Khan. After extensive tests in Dubai, the treatment began. “We got the injections done into my leg and I had a great conversation with Dr. Khan about everything. He seems super optimistic about treatment and the effects that this is going to have for me, which makes me even more excited.”
Shaw described the journey overseas as fully worthwhile. “The trip over to Dubai, I’ll tell you what, if this treatment helps, which it is going to, it is 100% worth it. So, I can’t say enough good things about what they’ve done for me, helping me out, and the future looks very very good.”
Still, he knows recovery won’t be instant. “This has been a tough journey the last couple years, you know, after that initial infection in my leg… now getting to this point, I’m very optimistic about where things can go. I hope that I get help, but I also hope that this video can help out other people out there that are maybe going through the same thing.”
We continue to with Shaw the very best on his recovery journey.
Featured image credit: YouTube/Instagram/ShawStrength/MrsKeriShaw
