30 Jul Strength, Faith, and Full Circle Moments: Catching Up with Shawn Frankl
Article Rundown
- Shawn shares how faith drives his gym and mission.
- Stories from training in Afghanistan and lifting in tents.
- Reflections on Big Iron Gym and Rick Hussey’s legacy.
- Brian and Shawn revisit their epic battles on the platform.
Strength, Faith, and Full Circle Moments
Shawn Frankl isn’t just a legend in powerlifting—he’s a longtime friend, a man of faith, and someone I’ve been competing with and learning from for nearly 20 years. In this conversation, we picked up right where we left off, digging into everything from the early Big Iron days to life after lifting, and everything in between.
If you haven’t already, check out the separate assessment videos we filmed, where I walk Shawn through a full McGill Method 4-Hour Assessment. That’s up now on my YouTube channel. But this podcast episode? This is the deeper dive—into mindset, mission, and how we’ve both grown through lifting and life.
Here’s just a glimpse of what we got into. For the full story, watch the entire video on YouTube—you won’t regret it.
A Mission Bigger Than the Gym
Shawn’s gym in Sioux City has grown into a powerhouse—over 600 members strong. But to him, it’s not just a business—it’s a calling. He views the gym as a mission field, a space where he can minister to people through strength and serve with humility.
From starting in a 1,500 sq ft warehouse behind a bar to expanding into a 12,000 sq ft facility, Shawn has never lost sight of who really owns the gym—God. That mindset, staying grateful no matter the size or success, is something we all can learn from.
Remembering Rick Hussey and the Big Iron Brotherhood
If you followed powerlifting in the 2000s, you know the name Rick Hussey. He built Big Iron Gym into one of the most dominant teams in the sport. Shawn reflected on what it meant to be mentored by Rick—not just as a coach, but as someone who poured into others despite the weight he carried personally.
Rick didn’t let just anyone in. You had to earn his trust. But once you were in, you were family. And to this day, the lessons we learned from Rick continue to guide both of us in how we train, how we lead, and how we serve.
From Afghanistan to the Platform
One of the wildest stories in the podcast was about Shawn training in Afghanistan while deployed in 2004. We’re talking briefs shipped overseas, squats in tents, and encouragement from fellow soldiers like “Speedy,” who helped coin the phrase “Do Your Part”—a motto that stuck and even made its way onto the cover of PLUSA magazine.
Shawn’s commitment to the craft—no matter the environment—is the kind of dedication that defines greatness. And it set the stage for his massive return to the platform just a year later.
Competing Without Compromise
Shawn and I battled head-to-head on some of the biggest stages in powerlifting—Senior Nationals, WPC Worlds, the Arnold—and tied down to the tenth of a kilo at one point. But it never turned into a rivalry built on ego. From day one, it was built on mutual respect.
We trained together, helped each other dial in lifts, and stayed friends even while going after the same records. That kind of relationship in a sport filled with intensity and competition is rare, and it’s something I’ve always appreciated.
Records, Regrets, and the Lessons They Teach
We talked about the big names that came before us—Travis Mash, Chuck Vogelpohl, Ed Coan—and what it felt like to eventually break some of their records. For me, squatting 1030 at the Arnold and topping Chuck’s long-standing mark was surreal. For Shawn, it was benching 733 and chasing Mash’s 2414 total.
But with those highs came some hard lessons. I shared how trying to force a deadlift PR cost me a meet I could’ve won. Shawn talked about overreaching in training and learning the limits of “going to failure.” The takeaway? Train smart. Play the long game. Don’t let your ego do the programming.
Brotherhood That Lasts
Even after all the records, meets, and years have passed, the connection between us has never changed. Shawn’s the kind of guy you might not see for years, but when you do, it’s like you just trained together yesterday.
That bond—built under the bar and grounded in faith—is why this episode means so much to me. We’re not just talking about lifting. We’re talking about growth, integrity, legacy, and honoring the people who helped shape who we are.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Watch the Full Episode
This article only scratches the surface. In the full video, we cover:
- What it was like training in war zones
- The evolution of multi-ply powerlifting
- How Big Iron molded some of the strongest lifters of all time
- And what it means to pursue excellence while keeping your faith intact
If you’re serious about lifting, legacy, or just want to hear two guys talk real about life, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Check out the full video HERE.
Shawn Frankl isn’t just one of the best to ever step on the platform—he’s a man of conviction, discipline, and purpose. This episode isn’t about chasing numbers anymore. It’s about honoring where we’ve been, who helped us get there, and how we’re continuing to do our part.
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