15 Feb Get to Know Team PRS: MICHAEL DE LA PAVA
What’s your name, where do you live, what gym do you lift out of and why do you train and compete?
Michael De La Pava
I live in Miami, Florida
I lift out of my gym and home; The Battle Axe .
I train and compete because life is a series of battles won one day at a time. No other feeling in the world best represents this war like the feeling of competition. Competing has granted me a purpose, but also gifted me with some of the best friends I’ll ever have.
Tell us your story-what brought you to this point where you are today?
If I were to summarize my journey into something short and sweet I would say it is the concept and motto I live by, “Everything ends.” What some may see as a negative concept, I embrace as a path in life. I try to live my life to the fullest both on the competitive battlefield, as well as in my personal and business life. No other words have been more guiding and engraved into my spirit than this statement.
With this idea in mind, I opened up my own gym and business, traveled the world to train and explore, and met some of the best people in my life. At the same time, as with all great things, it has been a double edged sword. It has also let me over train and lead to some serious injuries, but without these obstacles I would not have been able to compete as strong as I did, nor end up meeting Brian Carroll and my PRS team. Everything Ends, and so here we are.
What are your personal best lifts?
As a strongman, exact barbell numbers have not been my strong point, but feats of strength have been my guiding light. I’ve flipped a thousand pound tire, pulled a fully loaded fire truck, loaded a 420 pound atlas stone, pressed a 200 pound giant circus d bell, carried a 900 pound yoke and pulled 700 off the floor.
Switching gears, but we will come back to the lifting aspect in a moment. What are your interests outside of strength sports?
I enjoy music, reading, playing guitar, going shooting, smoking a good cigar, having a fine whiskey and most importantly sharing free time with good friends and my family.
What are 2 things you have learned over the last 2 years that have made you a better athlete and person?
1: To truly value quality over quantity. Something engrained in me by working Brian Carroll and using 10/20/Life principles is to value each and every movement, both in the gym and out. The concept of value grew from just a physical aspect to a mental philosophy as well.
2: Being mindful. This is a daily, hourly and minute by minute practice that has allowed me to live life to the fullest and explore more value into my business, training, and personal life. Mindful practice and mindful meditation has completely taken me out of my comfort zone, but has enriched my life in many ways, ESPECIALLY as an athlete.
What is the biggest mistake, or regret you have pertaining to training/competition?
My biggest regret has led me to my biggest strength. So, as much as it’s a major regret, I have to say that I am fortunate to have been gifted with it. My biggest regret was letting my passion overcome my discipline. It lead me to very painful and difficult training path of which I was too blinded to see during my healthier years and would later lead to some serious injuries.
Knowing what you do now, what would you go back and tell a younger version of you 10 years ago?
I don’t know if a younger MDLP would listen to me, but if I had to sit down with myself the first thing I would do is listen. A younger me needed more guidance, but also an ear to truly get to the root of my decisions. After a good sit down, a bottle of whiskey and conversation, I would give myself the book “Gift of Injury” and explain why discipline should guide my passion. I’d also tell myself all the future Super Bowl champions (like Back to the Future), so I could be filthy rich!
What do you bring to Team PRS that you feel is unique?
With such a strong group well versed and well-rounded teammates I hope to bring a different look into strength sports. My goal is to continue to grow the sport of Strongman without jeopardizing my eclectic sport history and knowledge. I hope to provide a passionate and at times abrasive perspective into the worlds of strength on an academic and a psychological level.
Who are your mentors/biggest influences-who do you look to for advice and help?
My parents are my biggest influence and motivation without question. Through their courage and hard work I have been able to find my dream and have a perfect example of what hard work, love and determination can bring.
My biggest mentors and teachers currently are my former Muay Thai coach and good friend Wesley Carroll and my current coach, advisor and good friend Brian Carroll. Coincidentally they have the same last name and as different as their life paths may have been, they both have helped me grow, learn and become the man I am today.
In closing, name 2 things that few people know about you, unrelated to strength sports:
Despite my social media and outgoing personality I prefer a healthy amount of solitude. Often times practicing long mediations, or just staying home really have value to me.
Clowns, sharks and heights all suck ok?! They just do!
There is a third one, but if told you I’d have to kill you…
Thank you for your time! Anything else you’d like to add?
Don’t be a Pussy. Everything ends.
Make sure to watch for articles and weekly log posts from Michael De La Pava each and every week HERE
Latest posts by Mike De La Pava (see all)
- MDLP: Training 8 weeks out - March 15, 2019
- MDLP: Deload week and Old Man Logan - March 6, 2019
- MDLP: Blood, Sweat and Flesh - February 28, 2019
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