Drew Smith is a competitive powerlifter on a mission to get stronger.
After hearing about the Fantastic Beasts, Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ Powerlifting Club, during Summer 2017, he became a regular at the club’s Sunday training sessions and an active member of Atlanta’s strength community.
Drew grew up in San Diego, CA and moved to Spokane, WA to attend Gonzaga University. At Gonzaga, he rowed for the Men’s Crew team and played Club Men’s Volleyball. He joined the US Navy and attended Officer Candidate School. Since then he has lived in 5 countries and 11 cities.
He came to Atlanta for grad school, where he recently completed his MBA at Emory. He’ll be back at Emory beginning next month, this time for Law school. Smith is still in the US Navy Reserves and supports US Navy data analytics.
Once he met Coach Lis, he decided to hire her for additional private sessions. He wanted to change his focus from training for aesthetics to training for strength.
Drew is no stranger to training for sports. But Lis and the Fantastic Beasts introduced him to the world of powerlifting, and he was intrigued.
Training for his first powerlifting meet
With help from Lis, Drew began training for the USAPL Atlanta Winter Smash held in January ‘18.
“Knowing that you have a competition coming helps keep you focused and provides solid goals. It really encouraged me to stay consistent with my strength plan,” said Drew.
In his first powerlifting meet, Drew exceeded his personal goals and managed to join the 1,000-pound Total Club*. He recalled that he put his trust in Lis and just went out and made the attempts, not knowing at the time how much weight was on the bar.
Photo credit: Polly Ryncarz
“The rush of competing was incredible!” Drew said.
He enjoyed the competitive aspects of the meet as well as the friendly community of powerlifters he met there.
Drew plans to compete again in March or May at a USPA event. Obligations to the US Navy derailed some competition goals, but he is still committed to competing again.
His goals for the next meet: a 500-pound squat, a 315-pound bench press and a 550-pound deadlift.
Drew continues to train with Lis once a week in private sessions, and he also trains alone 3 to 4 more times per week, following a custom training program that Lis writes for him.
A male with a female strength coach
Drew’s previous coaches and trainers were males who had competed at high levels themselves. He admits that at first he had some apprehension over hiring a female coach.
Drew knew that like his past coaches, Lis had also competed on the national and international levels. But he wondered if, since he outweighed and outlifted Lis, would she still be an effective coach even without lifting as much as him?
His doubts melted away when Drew met Lis for a consultation to discuss his goals.
“Lis listened to my needs and told me about her background. She shared client success stories and her philosophy around mental preparation. Then I trusted that Lis would be the perfect coach who could help me reach my goals,” says Drew.
“She gives me expert guidance with a different approach into training that is often overlooked.”
Drew describes Lis’ coaching style as holistic, with attention to a client’s mental and physical strengths as well as their technique.
There are times she helps him “get out of his own head” and away from negative self-talk.
“My previous coaches always tried to motivate through yelling and metal music, but Lis takes a different approach,” says Drew.
“Also, she takes into consideration your well-being and how that impacts lifting, and incorporates that into her programming. Lousy week at work? She modifies training. Not feeling too motivated this week? She adjusts the plan to at least get you moving. She focuses on the person and not just the weights.”
Although he has an athletic background, Drew says everyone – whether you’re new to sport or not – should give strength training a try. The majority of members in the Fantastic Beasts do not have an athletic background.
The Fantastic Beasts
“The Fantastic Beasts offer a safe place for members to train together. We’re all here to help each other,” Drew said.
As the club secretary, he helps steer the growth of the organization. His goals for the Beasts in 2019 are: (1) at least three club members compete in Blackpool, England in July at the LGBT Powerlifting Union’s International Powerlifting Championships, (2) increase Atlanta Pull for Pride participation by 20%, and (3) host at least two big charity events for Atlanta’s homeless LGBTQ+ youth.
For anyone who wants help beginning or continuing their strength journey, Drew suggests reaching out to Lis or trying a Fantastic Beast session. The next team training session is Sunday, December 30th from 3 to 4:30pm at CrossFit Downtown Atlanta. RSVP here.
“Be here. Be you. And we’ll lift the weight together,” he urges.
To follow Drew’s powerlifting and progress, follow him on Instagram at @drew.hamilton.smith.
For more about the Fantastic Beasts, join the club’s Facebook group and follow them on Instagram at @fantastic.beasts.atl.
Photo credit: Amanda Chambers
