About Dirk (David) Smith (that's me!)
My name is David Smith. My passion is in fitness, exercise and nutrition, I also have an interest in LGBT history and the community! My journey started in 2008 when I found myself sitting on a couch, eating cake and watching the 2008 Olympics. I was 50lbs overweight, depressed and just generally unhappy with my life. Barely 20 years old I had no direction nor anything in the world I wanted to pursue.
Realizing it was time for a change, I decided to take up sport again. I wanted to do more and be more than I was. I was a swimmer as a kid so I started there and joined my local LGBT+ Swim Team. The next several months my transformation was night and day. I had lost 50 over 50lbs, my self esteem and confidence had shot through the roof. I made many new friends and found myself apart of a greater community of people who were there to support me on my journey. For the first time I was eager to step outside my comfort zone and try new things and it was something that I never thought would've been possible when I was sitting on the couch, eating cake.
Through swimming and sport, it was always about more than just "losing weight" or "getting toned". I wanted to achieve more, and soon I found myself across the ocean in Germany competing against hundreds of other swimmers at the 2010 Gay Games. Not only did I compete but I achieved my personal best! With my best I came home with 6 medals and my life was changed forever. I knew then that my life had direction.
Getting back into swimming, joining the LGBT+ swim team and competing at the Gay Games helped me realize that I am not the only person in the LGBT+ community who was sitting on the couch and eating cake. That one step outside my comfort zone changed my life and I decided right then and there that my passion and cause would be to help encourage and unite the LGBT+ community through exercise, fitness and sport.
Stonewall Fitness is the vehicle I created to pursue that mission. With several prominent training certifications and a Bachelor's Degree in kinesiology, I am working to create programs and a community within the LGBT+ community who seek to break the constraints and pressures of body image. By focusing on what we can accomplish and always training to achieve our personal best in exercise, fitness and sport we can transcend the stigmas and barriers of being fit. Exercise and fitness knows no limits, nor does it recognize the differences of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or body type. We are all human and passion and a little bit of sweat, we are all capable of accomplishing our goals together. Join me on this journey in pursuit of stronger fitness and community and there is nothing we can't accomplish.
Realizing it was time for a change, I decided to take up sport again. I wanted to do more and be more than I was. I was a swimmer as a kid so I started there and joined my local LGBT+ Swim Team. The next several months my transformation was night and day. I had lost 50 over 50lbs, my self esteem and confidence had shot through the roof. I made many new friends and found myself apart of a greater community of people who were there to support me on my journey. For the first time I was eager to step outside my comfort zone and try new things and it was something that I never thought would've been possible when I was sitting on the couch, eating cake.
Through swimming and sport, it was always about more than just "losing weight" or "getting toned". I wanted to achieve more, and soon I found myself across the ocean in Germany competing against hundreds of other swimmers at the 2010 Gay Games. Not only did I compete but I achieved my personal best! With my best I came home with 6 medals and my life was changed forever. I knew then that my life had direction.
Getting back into swimming, joining the LGBT+ swim team and competing at the Gay Games helped me realize that I am not the only person in the LGBT+ community who was sitting on the couch and eating cake. That one step outside my comfort zone changed my life and I decided right then and there that my passion and cause would be to help encourage and unite the LGBT+ community through exercise, fitness and sport.
Stonewall Fitness is the vehicle I created to pursue that mission. With several prominent training certifications and a Bachelor's Degree in kinesiology, I am working to create programs and a community within the LGBT+ community who seek to break the constraints and pressures of body image. By focusing on what we can accomplish and always training to achieve our personal best in exercise, fitness and sport we can transcend the stigmas and barriers of being fit. Exercise and fitness knows no limits, nor does it recognize the differences of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin or body type. We are all human and passion and a little bit of sweat, we are all capable of accomplishing our goals together. Join me on this journey in pursuit of stronger fitness and community and there is nothing we can't accomplish.
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Certifications Include
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My accomplishments at the 2014 Gay Games in Cleveland
My Recent Athletic Accomplishments include...
- 2017 IGLA: 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
- 2017 USMS Spring National Championships: 1 Bronze
- 2016 USMS National Championships: 2 Gold, 1 Silver
- 2015 Eurogames: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- 2015 USMS National Championships: 2 Gold, 1 Bronze Medal
- 2014 Gay Games: 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze Medals
- 2014 USMS Spring National Championships: Top 10
- 2013 IGLA: 2 Bronze Medals
- 2011 IGLA: 3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze Medal
- 2011 & 2012 ECC National Swimming Championships: Top 10
- 2010 Gay Games: 3 Gold & 3 Silver Medals
About Stonewall Fitness
The purpose of Stonewall Fitness is to bring people together and unite the LGBT community through exercise, fitness and sport. By breaking down the barriers and stigmas associated with exercise and gyms we can lead and educate the community on the physical, mental and social benefits of exercise and living an active lifestyle.
Gyms can be intimidating, they're big, full of a lot of equipment and people who look like they know what they're doing. Particularly for GLBT and allied individuals, it can be intimidating to workout at if you're not sure where to start, what to do or how to stay safe. Some places are a bit cruisey and can make one feel uncomfortable, unsafe or like they're being judged. Many places have personal trainer services but sometimes they can feel more like sales people, less focused on your training and more on getting your money.
When you workout, you're already lifting a lot of weight and you don't need all that extra pressure and judgement on your back. Regardless of who you are, we are all there for the same reason. To be healthier, fitter and more active!
Gyms can be intimidating, they're big, full of a lot of equipment and people who look like they know what they're doing. Particularly for GLBT and allied individuals, it can be intimidating to workout at if you're not sure where to start, what to do or how to stay safe. Some places are a bit cruisey and can make one feel uncomfortable, unsafe or like they're being judged. Many places have personal trainer services but sometimes they can feel more like sales people, less focused on your training and more on getting your money.
When you workout, you're already lifting a lot of weight and you don't need all that extra pressure and judgement on your back. Regardless of who you are, we are all there for the same reason. To be healthier, fitter and more active!
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Stonewall Fitness was created to honor all the members and allies of the GLBT community who've worked hard and found the courage to stand up for themselves and be who they are. It is important that within us all we find our true self and understand that acceptance and honesty within is the most important thing one can have, to gain the confidence in yourself and step forward into the future with your head held high. Regardless of your sexual or gender orientation, you have all the potential within to reach for the stars. Don't live in fear and certainly don't be afraid of who you are.
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