Community Highlights: Meet Larry Donald of LD Boxing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Donald.

Hi Larry, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a local kid grew up in Mt. Juliet TN. I fell in love with boxing at an early age. Was my dream to be a pro boxer. I didn’t start boxing until I was 18, and didn’t have my first amateur fight until I was 21. I began training on the side, in between work and school. In 2014 I started working at TITLE Boxing. Club. And By 2016, I transitioned to training full-time and was head trainer at TBC. (TITLE Boxing Club)

In 2017, I began touring with country artist Thomas Rhett as his personal trainer. Traveling all over the country, as well as overseas. At the same, I was still training back home and helped open a Training Camp.

In 2019, I took another leap of faith and opened my private boxing studio LD Boxing. We’ve Been open for 2.5 years and going strong.

Also in 2019, I returned to the ring and had my pro boxing debut. I’m currently 3-0 and have and upcoming fight on Sept. 17 at the Nashville Fairgrounds.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely wasn’t a smooth road, but that’s life. The lessons you learn early on shape who you are as your progress in life. I truly believe passion leads to purpose and my life is a testament to that. Boxing is my passion and it’s opened so many doors for me, that I could’ve never imagined. But that doesn’t mean it was easy. I’ve taken many leaps of faith in my life, and as hard/scary as they were at the time those, leaps lead me to bigger and better opportunities.

The sport of boxing lead me to training people and I quickly discovered I had a passion for that as well. I enjoyed sharing my love of the sport of boxing and using it to help others. When I left my full-time job of 6 years, training full time, I was hesitant at first, but I trusted my gut and did it anyway. It gave me the opportunity to travel and train on country music tours, which was something I never thought I’d be doing.

Another challenge I faced was when I opened my studio. I had trained at several gyms and was ready to do my own thing. I didn’t know exactly how things were going to go or what the reception would be, but I had a vision and took another leap of faith and it definitely paid off.

It was also challenging when I decided to compete in boxing again. I didn’t compete for 5+ years at the time, but it was something I never gave up on and knew I’d eventually be back. I felt it was my calling to keep chasing this dream. So early 2019, I began changing habits and getting ready. On October 19, I was given to opportunity to go pro. At the time I was juggling running a new studio and well being on a full fall tour. But I was determined to make it all happen. And it did, through hard work, self-belief, and keeping God first.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We’re a private boxing training studio. Specializing in private individual and group training. All of our training is boxing-based. My BOX program is the same training that I do when I prepare for a fight, is the same training I put my clients through. Whether you’re new to boxing or have been training for years we have something for everyone. We specialize in MITTS for people who want to come in and just hit the mitts for 30 min to an hour. We offer basic mitts, “fight” mitts, and Mayweather-style flow mitt work. What I feel sets us apart from others is the training we offer. We start from the ground up, teaching footwork, the defense then punching. Even if you never see the ring, we make sure to teach proper techniques to all our clients.

I’ve worked with some great trainers and as a current pro boxer, I’m constantly learning and growing in the sport of boxing.  So as I evolve as a boxer, I evolve as a trainer as well. The Beauty of the sport of boxing, is you never know everything.  I love spending time watching fights and training videos, always looking to add to my game.

Along with that is the connection you make when doing private sessions. I did a lot of group classes and love that setting, but connecting one on one hits different for me. I love watching my clients grow. Watching them do things things  that once struggled to do. And not only do it, but do it with ease. Blessed to be able to use the sport that has changed my life to help and improve other lives as well.

One of my clients Quinn Delbridge, who has worked with me for over two years now. Fell in love with the sport, took his training seriously and even worked on his game and training on his own time.  As demand started to grow, I needed some help around the studio and Quinn showed interest i  training. Naturally I knew he was going  to be a good fit, so now he’s training clients along side me.  It’s kind of the gift that keeps on giving.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The hardest part is getting started. Making that decision for yourself and sticking to it. Be true yourself, be true to your vision, and believe in yourself. Try not to copy someone else’s entire playbook. Just because something works out for someone else, doesn’t mean it’s going to work out for you. It’s good to have people to look up to and learn from. But remember there is the only one you, do what makes you different. Bruce Lee said; “absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”

Create. Evolve. Expand. The first step was Creating, then Evolving taking away things that didn’t work, and trying new things out. Then you Expand. Currently, I’m on the Expand stage, which for me is adding to the team. But you can always improve and make changes as needed.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://larrydonald.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_donald/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Athlete/Larry-Donald-171217050277395/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ldboxing/?hl=en

Image Credits
Angelina Olivia of KO Photography, and Showcase Photography of Corey Bost and Janet Wohler.