Laurence Shahlaei

Laurence Shahlaei (; born 25 December 1982) is an English YouTuber, strength coach and commentator. A former strongman competitor, he is most noted for winning the 2016 Europe's Strongest Man competition.

He is also the winner of England's Strongest Man (2009) and Britain's Strongest Man (2012, 2013) competitions at the national circuit.

Early life Shahlaei was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire to an Iranian father from Kermanshah and an English mother from Newcastle upon Tyne. He attended Balcarras School, and later moved to Stroud, Gloucestershire however 3 weeks later, during 2013 World's Strongest Man group stages, he tore his quad during the squat event.

In 2014, Shahlaei emerged runner-up to Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson at the 2014 Battle of the North in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. He suffered a severe injury attempting a personal best deadlift at the World Deadlift Championships in conjunction with the 2014 Europe's Strongest Man, tearing his lat, forcing him to withdraw from the competition despite sharing third place with Martin Wildauer with a lift. In 2015 World's Strongest Man group stages, he again sustained an injury during the Norse Hammers event where the second of the three hammers tore his triceps and dropped him to the floor.

In his career spanning over 12 years, Shahlaei competed in 58 international competitions and won 8 of them including his best win, the 2016 Europe's Strongest Man. He also managed to win 4th place at the 2011 World's Strongest Man while securing 7th, 9th, 9th and 10th places in 2017, 2009, 2014 and 2016 respectively, making it five times into the finals. He also competed in the inaugural World's Ultimate Strongman in 2018 and placed 5th in a stacked field of 12. He also placed 7th in the 2012 Arnold Strongman Classic, widely considered the heaviest and most difficult strongman competition in the world.

During 2019 World's Strongest Man group stages, Shahlaei sustained a career ending injury when he tore his Achilles tendon while performing the super yoke. He made a brief comeback two years later to his final competition 2021 Giants Live Strongman Classic where he won 7th place.

Other work Shahlaei had a minor acting role in the film The Golden Compass (2007) and in 2011, competed on Deal or No Deal (UK game show), where he lifted presenter Noel Edmonds up above his head easily. In 2012, Shahlaei opened a personal training business in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Since 2016, Shahlaei has become a popular strongman analyst and commentator, announcing in many popular strongman franchises. He maintains a YouTube channel titled Big Loz Official, which has covered many strongman-related topics and has released more than 1,800 videos.

Shahlaei also runs a coaching business, with his clients competing in major strongman competitions. In 2023, he coached Mitchell Hooper to both the Arnold Strongman Classic and World's Strongest Man titles.

Personal life Shahlaei and his wife, Elizabeth Mason, live in Swindon, Wiltshire. They have 2 daughters Ava and Alexa. Shahlaei also has a step-son, Lewis from a previous relationship.

Personal records Powerlifting Squat – (2020 Tattooed and Strong) Bench press – (2020 Tattooed and Strong) Deadlift – (2016 Tattooed and Strong) Total – (2017 GPC-GB Salisbury Qualifier)

Strongman Deadlift – (2014 Europe's Strongest Man) → Shahlaei previously held the joint strongman deadlift record with in 2011 Giants Live London Giant Barbell Squat (for reps) – × 12 reps (single-ply suit w/ wraps) (2017 World's Strongest Man) Keg drop Squat – x 7 reps in 25.67 seconds (2008 World's Strongest Man - Group 4) (World Record) Log press – (2011 SCL South Africa) Axle press – (2010 Giants Live Turkey) Dumbbell press – x 4 repetitions (2018 Giants Live North American Open) Dumbbell press – x 8 repetitions (2017 UK's Strongest Man) Max Atlas stone – x 3 times over a 4 ft bar (2013 SCL FIBO) Atlas stones – 5 stones in 20.75 seconds (2016 Britain's Strongest Man) Atlas stones – 5 stones in 30.80 seconds (2016 Europe's Strongest Man) Dinnie Stone carry in farmers walk style (with the original stones) – for 22 ft 4 in (6.81 m) (World Record) Bavarian Stonelift – for 81 cm (2012 SCL FIBO) Super yoke – (15 meter course) in 16.49 seconds (2018 World's Ultimate Strongman) (World Record) Car Walk – (20 meter course) in 11.05 seconds (2016 Europe's Strongest Man) (former world record) Keg toss – 7 kegs over in 40.96 seconds (2011 World's Strongest Man - Group 2) Basque Circle – 233° rotation (2018 World's Strongest Man - Group 1) Basque Circle – 710° rotation (2014 Britain's Strongest Man) Thor's Hammer one arm grip lift – 113 kg (250 lb) (2021 Rogue Invitational) Captains of Crush – No. 3 gripper with of pressure

Competitive record Winning percentage: 13.79%Podium percentage: 41.37%

Filmography

Television Year Title Role Notes 2008-2011, 2013–2019 World's Strongest Man Himself – Competitor 2007 The Golden Compass 2011 Deal or No Deal Contestant