Powerlifter David Holland is an original member of Team Lis Smash. He & I began working together in 2016 at a barbell club I used to own. He was a CrossFitter who trained at the CF affiliate I formerly owned, and I can’t remember if we’d already met via CrossFit or not. But I definitely knew of him because I think he was joining my old CF gym as I was leaving it.
I remember one of our first sessions as I was giving him some technique tips, his eyes just lit up as new ways of lifting occurred to him. It was really special to me – I love teaching and getting through to an athlete in terms they can use. Seeing a cue “click” for someone is kind of magical.
David is a real-life superhero (and MD), working to reduce H.I.V. infections worldwide and specifically in Metro Atlanta. He runs Fulton County’s PrEP Clinic. He’s also co-founder of the Fantastic Beasts, Atlanta’s (and the world’s first!) LGBTQ+ Powerlifting Club.
In July 2019, powerlifter David Holland traveled to Blackpool in the U.K., to compete in the LGBT Powerlifting Union’s International Championships. Here is his recap of the experience:
LS: What is your lifting and competition background?
DH: I started lifting through CrossFit in 2012, but I became serious about powerlifting as a sport in 2016. That was the year I asked Lis to be my coach.
LS: When did you decide to do this recent competition and what was training like leading up to it?
DH: I pretty much decided I wanted to do this competition at the end of the same event last year. It was a lot of fun, and I wanted to do it again. I started training around April, and this year seemed a lot easier than last year for some reason.
LS: Any travel/injury/weight cut surprises or mishaps leading up to meet day?
DH: Not really. I learned how to deal with my jet lag last year, which was really my biggest concern. I didn’t really have any issues.
LS: What were your results at the event?
DH: Squat 190kg (PR), Bench 95kg (PR), and DL 200kg (a meet PR). I won my M2 weight class (no competition though), but I also won best overseas lifter.
LS: What were your personal goals for the event? Did you meet them?
I had a stretch goal of a 227.5kg deadlift. Didn’t even get close!
LS: If Today David could give some advice to Pre-Meet David, what would he say?
Temper your expectations on the deadlift and go for small jumps. I could have gotten a PR if I had not tried such a big reach.
LS: What is one of your training/competition goals for August/this fall?
Just relax and maybe do some hypertrophy training for a change.
LS: Anything else?
Powerlifting is such a great sport and is open to anyone. The LGBT IPC proves that really everyone can be a powerlifter with some pretty basic training.
Thank you David for sharing this experience. Interested in doing a beginner-friendly lifting event?
Consider the Lift for Lost-n-Found barbell benefit. It’s an event where lifters deadlift or clean and jerk and try to raise $1 per pound that they lift. The money raised is donated to Lost-n-Found Youth, Atlanta’s non-profit that supports the city’s LGBTQ+ youth
