Breaking Benjamin’s longtime drummer, Shaun Foist, has announced that he is stepping away from touring due to health issues. In a Facebook post, Foist shared that he has been battling Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid, since 2017. This has caused him fatigue, leg weakness, stiffness, weight changes, and difficulties with drumming.
During the recent Awaken the Fallen tour with Staind, Foist experienced severe leg fatigue, making it hard for him to perform. He mentioned that tests on his back came back normal, but doctors confirmed that his Hashimoto’s had flared up, pushing his thyroid into “hyper mode,” which led to weakness and weight loss. After discussions with his family and doctors, he decided to take a break from touring to focus on his health.
Foist’s announcement comes just as Breaking Benjamin is about to kick off a U.S. tour with Three Days Grace in Ridgedale, Missouri. He will be replaced by James Cassells, the drummer from Asking Alexandria, for this tour.
In his message, Foist encouraged fans to continue supporting the band and enjoying the shows. He expressed his deep care for the band’s legacy and his desire not to let his health impact their performances. Breaking Benjamin also expressed gratitude to Foist for his years with the band and for being part of the Breaking Benjamin family. Foist has been with the band since 2014, when frontman Benjamin Burnley reformed the group with new members.
