Beyond the Podium w/Shane Jerman

No father. A suicidal mother. A broken childhood. Are these the ingredients for success? Dean sits down over drinks to talk about what it's taken to become one of the biggest figures in weight-class strongman, and if his past traumas are the reason he is where is today. 

In a wide-ranging and reflective conversation, Tommy sits down with Men’s Health Fitness Director Andrew Tracy to examine what it really means to be great. While Tommy explores the structure and pursuit of greatness, Andrew pushes back—asking whether greatness is even something worth wanting. Together they unravel the tension between ambition and presence, ego and impact, success and fulfillment. The episode weaves through themes of legacy, work ethic, Michael Jordan’s spite-driven dominance, and the hollow feeling that can follow external achievement. This isn’t a conversation about how to become the GOAT—it’s about what that title costs, and whether the pursuit leaves anything behind.

When we made the “Greatest of All Time” episode, a lot of this conversation didn’t make it in. This is the full talk with Josh Lancaster — the parts you haven’t heard yet.

What does it mean to be the greatest of all time? Is it the strongest, the fastest, the one with the most wins? Or is greatness something deeper, something harder to define?   In this episode of the Odd Objects podcast, Tommy Lovell sits down with Liz Shahlei, Josh Lancaster, and Andrew Tracy to break down the myth of greatness—what it takes, what it costs, and whether it’s even something worth chasing. From ranking systems in Strongman to the psychology of success, to the trade-offs that come with winning, this conversation goes beyond the podium and into the mindset of those who strive to be the best.   Is greatness an objective measure? A feeling? A story we tell? And most importantly—does it even matter?   Tune in for a deep dive into what it really means to be great.

I sat down with Shane Jerman at his home in Morecambe and chatted about his strongman journey and all it did was lead to a lot of questions. He's arguably the best 90kg strongman, but he's never had the chance to prove it on an international stage. Some of the lifts he's done make even a lot of 105kg strongmen look weak. But, if it didn't happen in competition, does it even matter?

The Odd Objects Podcast is back in a BIG WAY! If you had the power to shape a sport in real time. What would you do? There is a lot of power that comes with deciding what people see. Find out who is influencing you and the entire sport of Strongman...behind the scenes. Follow on Instagram @joeschoey @jsfilms @giantslive @officialstrongman_

aka Harry aka The Swole Knight aka The Most Brolic aka Swole Nasty Y'all asked me to bring back the pod and have Henry on as cohost. So, we brought him on and did a little interview and a chat. Henry is one of the most interesting people I've met in a while. We agree that lifting is art and art is lifting. The journey of the pursuit is the pursuit itself. And other really cerebral bullshit. There's a lot of wisdom in this episode. Give this a listen, leave a comment, like it, subscribe, follow Henry on IG and TikTok, and buy Odd Objects shit. Check out Henry on IG and TikTok instagram.com/captaingaines tiktok.com/@captaingaines My favorite Captain Gaines videos: instagram.com/reel/CnIZVF-IRNr/ tiktok.com/@captaingaines/video/7174939623800589610 "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." Shø Shorts Pre Order: https://oddobjects.co/products/sho-shorts