MDLP: I am The Stone

You know that feeling you get when you leave the gym and your body is wrecked? It’ sore before you get into the car, your calluses have been cheese grated, and walking up stairs seems like a distant dream. You have a story to tell, you’ve express yourself through strength and you head home with your head high and your spirits cemented with confidence. Well, I can’t tell you how much I missed that feeling. Not too long ago it was a all dream, I used to just sit there and read Power magazine (see what I did there). I know I start off many of my logs with this tone but this is my reality. It’s a bitter sweet cocktail of nostalgia, rage, appreciation and ambition. It is my reality and often times it becomes my mantra and my strength. I came into my event day with this attitude, with a a true Strongman goal and with purpose. I wanted the attitude that came with me to the gym to leave with me too.

As I stated in some of my previous posts on Instagram, my goal on Sunday was to create an environment that would allow me to be a raw athlete without the responsibilities of coaching. Too many times in my career I have blended the line of athlete and coaching during sessions and it never turns out optimally. I either sacrifice my focus as a coach or my intensity as an athlete. So this is my plan: event training on Sundays with a crew of trusted, dedicated lifters who I trust to create a raw environment. This is paired with a few invitees from my gym, chosen at random, to come participate with me in what I hope will show them what real training feels like. Plus, having a few heads to help me move a million plates never hurts!

This Sunday was my first crack at this experience and creation of a true Sunday event team and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Nothing is linear and I certainly don’t expect every Sunday to be a Cinderella experience, but I have great confidence that the momentum will create an awesome environment. With some of my old crew and a blistering hot Miami morning I set my goals in mind and executed. Log, Farmers, Keg carries and most importantly the Atlas Stone. I set out specific goals, weights and distances on each implement that were realistically positive. Most importantly, I wanted to face the implement and weight that tore my bicep. For those of you who have faced serious injury from a particular movement or implement, I think we can agree that it is never easy to silence the fire alarms in your ahead as you approach it. Every inch of your body is yelling at you to stop, to leave, to run away from this “thing” that hurt you in the first place. It is in this forest fire of doubt and fear where a warrior truly finds their courage. Where they separate themselves from the pack and define their way.

The weight of the stone did not matter. What I used to do “back in the day” did not matter. What everyone on Instagram is doing did not matter. The only thing that mattered was that I would leave this day victorious over something that took so much from me. There is always a way to win the day if you dig deep enough. This Sunday was a day that would explode with physical post injury PR’s as well as mental hurtles crushed. And as I mentioned above, I went home feeling like a fucking Strongman again. Feeling like the man I had always been despite reducing myself to bird dogs and walks for so long. Despite watching everyone around me enjoy what I had dedicated my life to. Despite sleepless nights dreaming of raging out over a lift and here I was again. All my weights vastly under what I used to do and I couldn’t be happier. I LOVE this fucking sport. I LOVE coaching and I LOVE being a part of the strength world. This Sunday only proved it to the most important person, who despite having serious moments of doubt and absolute depression, never gave up… I hope you’re Michael De La Pava.

Warm Up:

  • Big 3
  • Band flies x 30
  • Single Leg RDL 2×10/10
  • D Bell Shoulder Press 2×25
  • Band Reverse Flies x30
  • Band Curls x50

Work load:

  • Log Clean and Press 5×2 (one clean only, did 255 x 3 .. felt strong and focused)
  • Farmers 4x50ft (stayed at 200# each hand. No Bicep pain only tightness. Feeling Slow)
  • Keg Carry 4 x 50ft (225# keg and feeling good)
  • Stone to Shoulder 5×1 (worked up to 143 stone. HUGE mental PR)

Never Stray from The Way

MDLP

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Michael “MDLP” De La Pava is currently a competitive Strongman and owner of The Battle Axe Gym. Born in Miami, Florida into a Colombian household, Michael finished his schooling by attending Penn State University where he graduated with a Degree in Psychology. Having his roots in martial arts, he would go on to compete in various sports as a Muay Thai fighter, Powerlifter, and rugby player before committing himself fully to Strongman. During this time, he opened Miami’s first Strongman gym, The Battle Axe, where he currently coaches athletes from various disciplines including powerlifting, MMA fighters, Strongman, officers of multiple authorities and enlisted and active military operators. Competing in Strongman for over 6 years has given Michael the opportunity to rank as high as 15th in the nation (105kg), won Florida’s Strongest man (1st in 2014 and 2nd in 2015 in the 105kg class), lift and load a 420 pound Atlas stone, log press 335, pull 700, and most importantly, share the competitive battlefield with some of the best in the game. During this journey, Michael suffered what some would consider a potentially career-ending spine injury. It was at this time that Brian and Michael would begin working together to not only rehab his spine, allowing him to return to Strongman but also develop a new Strongman training program revolving around the 10/20 philosophy. Strongman and coaching have given Michael the opportunity to travel around the nation and the world to train, coach and be coached, as well as share ideas with various leaders in the strength community. Michael’s experience and network in strongman brings a welcome connection with the ever-growing sport of Strongman to the 10/20 team and PRS family.

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