Episode #060: Michael De La Pava

Michael De La Pava is a strength coach and owner of The Battle Axe Gym in Miami, Florida. Michael opened The Battle Axe Gym’s doors in 2012 and the invite-only gym is home to athletes of all various disciplines including powerlifting, MMA fighters, Strongman, officers of multiple authorities and military personnel. Prior to opening his facility he has also worked as a personal trainer and social worker before diving head first into entrepreneurship and owning his own business. MDLP is the host of The Battle Axe podcast and his gym is the venue to some of the biggest strongman and powerlifting competitions in the southeast, including Miami’s Baddest Man and the Miami Throwdown.

MDLP is the epitome of a strength sports athlete, advocate, and enthusiast. He started his athletic career training in martial arts where after more than 14 years and multiple Muay Thai fights he shifted his focus to other strength sports. He played 3 seasons as a prop for the Miami Tridents rugby team all while training in both strongman and powerlifting. He has competed extensively in both strongman and powerlifting earning such accolades as being former Florida’s strongest man in 2014 and 15th in the Nation at 105kg as well as countless feasts of strength including flipping a 1,000lb tire, pulling a fully loaded fire truck, carrying a 900lb yoke and pressing a 200lb giant circus dumbbell, to name a few. Most recently, Michael has added Highland Games competitor to his long and growing list of athletic experience.