Oakmont senior student-athlete and powerlifter, Joe Packard went to the 2023 SBD World’s Strongest Man competition in Myrtle Beach, SC and met his all-time hero Brian Shaw who has won 4 WSM titles. Brian Shaw has competed since 2005 and retired this year (2023) and has brought popularity to the sport in America.

Packard started following the WSM competitions in 2019 and lifting weights because he was inspired by what these guys do. This year they had a WSM competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and that was an opportunity he knew he couldn’t turn down.

Packard described the experience as “once and a lifetime,” saying, “I’m super grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such an event and I hope to see another one in the near future.”