The Steve Austin Show: Braun Strowman - SAS CLASSIC

Date: December 4, 2025
Location: Live from Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Adam Scherr aka Braun Strowman

Overview

In this special "SAS CLASSIC" episode, Steve Austin sits down for an in-depth, family-friendly conversation with Braun Strowman (Adam Scherr), one of WWE’s most imposing superstars and former strongman competitor. The episode covers Braun's upbringing, his journey through strongman competition, transition into WWE, training philosophies, diet, road life, and his early experiences as a rising star in pro wrestling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Braun’s Background & Early Life

• Origins: Born in Sherrill's Ford, North Carolina, a small town near Charlotte.
• Physical Stature from Youth:
  • Graduated high school at 6'5" and 305 lbs (13:31).

    “I was 6'5" and 305 pounds at 17.” (13:31, Braun)

• Family & Small Town Roots:
  • Grew up without cable until 13, spent time outside lifting and doing manual labor, which he credits with building his foundational strength.

2. Path to Strongman & Feats of Strength

• Entry into Strongman:
  • Worked security in a nightclub, recruited by local strongmen (15:45).

    “They kind of just saw me there and realized that I was a big guy...asked me if I wanted to come out and give strongman a try.” (15:45, Braun)

• First Contest & Pro Card:
  • Won "Beast of the East" after just four weeks of training (23:08).
  • Became the fastest American to turn pro in strongman—about two years from first competition to pro card (23:20).
• Strongman Stats:
  • Peaked at 418 lbs before the 2012 Arnold (12:13).
  • Bench pressed 585 lbs raw (20:44).
  • Maintained 10,000+ calorie intake in strongman days (34:41).

3. Diet & Life on the Road

• Eating for Size & Performance:
  • Chipotle is his go-to on the road—a key to maintaining mass and eating clean (19:04).

    “I eat a lot of Chipotle. That's my guilty pleasure...I usually hit them three, four, five times a week.” (19:04, Braun)

  • Travels with protein bars and cookies to avoid unhealthy late-night eating (19:40).
• Adjusting Post-Strongman:
  • Current diet 5-7k calories/day; not cooking at home, prefers takeout or meal-prep services (34:52).
• On the Downsides of Extreme Size:

  "At 415 [lbs]...miserable. I had to have my girlfriend help me tie my shoes...Day to day life was not enjoyable." (12:33, Braun)

4. Transition to WWE

• Discovery & Recruitment:
  • Mark Henry introduced Adam to WWE; connection made via Canyon Seaman, WWE recruiter (39:09).
  • Process: Met recruiter in 2011, tried out in FCW (now NXT), signed in 2013 (41:30).
  • Relocation to Orlando for developmental at the WWE Performance Center.
• Initial Experience in Developmental:
  • Confidence upon entering, but quickly realized the grind and rigor (43:23).

    "I walked in very confident...but man, I tell you what, it didn’t take long to have second thoughts." (43:23, Braun)

• Amateur Wrestling Background:
  • High school record: 23-7 junior year; didn’t wrestle senior year due to academics (44:11).

5. Adapting to Sports Entertainment & the Wyatt Family

• Training Approach:
  • WWE trains all new talent on basics—bumps, rolls, running ropes—before specializing (46:36).
  • Learning discipline, bumping, building cardio (48:15).
• Being "Green" on TV:
  • Protected within the Wyatt Family; learned by observing and working with experienced talent (49:26).
• Debut & Nerves:
  • Debuted the night after SummerSlam, hiding under the ring before his appearance (53:41).

    "I was under there for like a half an hour and I’m freaking out...this is my one chance: You either do it right or you go home." (53:41, Braun)

• Evolving Role:
  • Now solo on RAW—"no one holding my chain anymore" (40:15).

6. Psychology, Character, and In-Ring Style

• Big Man Psychology:
  • Austin: The importance of making moves meaningful—don’t take silly bumps as a big man (58:11).
  • Brainstormed finishers: reverse chokeslam, arm triangle, Yokosuka cutter (62:46–63:22).
• Learning from Legends:
  • Bray Wyatt is Braun’s mentor and travel buddy—constantly giving feedback and match suggestions (64:37).
  • Watches classic big men: Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Undertaker (65:28).
• On Being a Heel vs. Babyface:
  • Prefers being a heel—gives more creative freedom (59:48).

    "I like being a heel because I like to think in real life, I’m more of a baby face...so when I get to go out there and be something that I’m really not, I think it’s kind of cool." (59:48, Braun)

  • Austin: As a heel, Braun must develop a "mean streak"; as a babyface, bring "fire" (61:36–62:14).

7. Road Life, Wear & Tear, and Goals

• Physical Toll:
  • Strongman injuries: collapsed foot arch, torn bicep, back surgery—lumbar microdiscectomy (32:29).
• Road Stories:
  • Flying coach as a 6’8” giant, challenges for him and seatmates (29:12, 29:27).
  • Laundry on the road—packing for 2 weeks even on short loops (71:33).
• Embracing the Grind:
  • Loves the road, misses it when home for too long. Sees himself in wrestling for the long haul (69:12).
  • Austin’s advice: Never say "burned out" to Vince or Triple H (70:09).
• Future Aspirations:
  • Goal: Eventually earn a WWE/Universal Title shot, but wants to be fully ready (67:15).
  • Wants to redefine the expectations of a "big man" by showcasing agility and presence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Braun on Strongman Life at 415 lbs:

  “Miserable. I had to have my girlfriend help me tie my shoes…Day to day life was not enjoyable.” (12:33)

• On Finding His Calling in WWE:

  “Without a doubt, this is what I was put on the earth to do. There’s no way I could go back to doing any kind of a 9 to 5 job or a desk job.” (69:12, Braun)

• Steve Austin’s Advice on Being a Heel:

  “As a heel, you have to have a mean streak…when it comes time to get the heat, I mean, it’s on.” (61:36, Austin)

• Braun on Nerves Before WWE Debut:

  “I was under there for like a half an hour and I’m freaking out...this is my one chance: You either do it right or you go home.” (53:41)

• On Mentors:

  "I can't put over the fact how much of a factor Bray has been in my career...gives me matches to watch and pick through this and look at what you think about this." (64:37, Braun)

• Training Mindset:

  “When you're chasing the dream, you don't let nothing get in your way.” (22:35, Braun)

Key Timestamps

• [11:15] – Interview begins at Honda Center, Intro to Braun
• [12:13–12:33] – Braun’s size, weight, and the challenges of being 415 lbs
• [15:45–16:45] – First step into strongman via nightclub security
• [20:44–21:11] – Bench press records, training with Mark Bell’s Slingshot
• [23:08–24:02] – Turning pro in strongman, "fastest American" to do so
• [29:12–30:16] – Flying coach as a giant, funny travel anecdotes
• [32:29] – Back surgery and recovering with WWE’s help
• [34:41–35:25] – Diet during strongman days: 12-13,000 calories
• [39:09–41:30] – Mark Henry’s influence, initial WWE recruitment process
• [46:36–47:13] – WWE developmental training, big man adaptation
• [49:26–50:47] – Being protected as a rookie in the Wyatt Family
• [53:41] – Braun’s nerves and mindset before Monday Night Raw debut
• [62:46–63:22] – Discussion of finishing and signature moves
• [65:28] – Big man inspirations: Bruiser Brody, Stan Hansen, Undertaker
• [67:15] – Career aspirations: titles, skill development
• [69:12] – Embracing wrestling and road life
• [70:09] – Austin’s advice: Don't say "burned out" to management
• [72:49] – Closing remarks and mutual respect

Conclusion

This episode provides rare insight into Braun Strowman’s transformation from a "country strong" kid to world-class strongman, and finally, to WWE’s next-generation powerhouse. The conversation is candid, full of road wisdom, big-man psychology, and wrestling philosophy, delivered with Steve Austin’s trademark humor and directness. Braun emerges as humble, motivated, and self-aware, determined to carve his own legacy in WWE while honoring the craft and paying respect to those who came before him.

Whether you’re a pro wrestling fan, a strength sports enthusiast, or simply love hearing stories of grit and transformation—this episode delivers the goods.