In October 2010, after over 30 years of lifting, I ripped both of my triceps tendons off at the elbows. My doctors and surgeon had never heard of anyone having this injury to both arms at the same time and made it clear that my lifting days were over. The injury, the surgery to re-attach the tendons, and the recovery process was all very painful and frustrating.
　　
At the time of my injury Dave Johnston and I had been training at the same gyms for about 2 years. We had not worked together as client and trainer, but we would talk occasionally about exercises or different lifting techniques. It was clear to me that Dave was not only a student of the history of bodybuilding, but also understood the actual science behind diet and exercise and kept himself up-to-date on the latest research.

As I faithfully went to the gym everyday to do my rehab exercises Dave was always helpful and supportive. When I would get disgusted that I was only able to lift 10lbs . Dave would remind me of how serious my injury was and assure me that things would get better. As I improved he reminded me of how far I had come since the injury and encouraged me to keep at it.

Over the course of the next six months I continued to lift and to recover. In the spring of 2011 I considered entering the Maryland State bodybuilding show in the over 50 category. I waffled back and forth for several weeks until Dave convinced me that I should do it. It had been 25 years since I had last competed; Dave was a great help with dieting, posing routines, and general contest preparation.

In the weeks leading up to the show we reduced my body fat significantly with Dave’s diet and cardio programs. With his help and support I achieved my goal of getting on stage one last time. Until next year anyway, when he will probably manage to convince me to do it again.

In 30 years of lifting Dave is one of the few trainers I have known who truly understands why things work; most trainers provide a one-size-fits-all program for every client. By watching him you can tell that he genuinely cares about his clients enough to hold them accountable and push them beyond their comfort zone.

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Why I Love David Johnston:
The Ponderous Polymathic Powerhouse
The Ridiculously Robust Renaissance Man
The Mammoth, Muscle-bound Man for All Seasons

You need to know 3 things about me:
1. I had gained 25 pounds over the past 5 years
2. I am a clothes whore
3. I am 61 years old and have had Parkinson’s disease (PD) for 12 years

Before I met David Johnston, I had been trying desperately to lose the 25 pounds in order to fit into my beloved wardrobe (especially my prized elegant leather suits). I was also attempting to pretend that I had not been diagnosed with PD and to forget that I had reached that time in life when there were definitely fewer years ahead of me than there were behind. I wasn’t very successful at any of the above.

Then I met David. He stood out from the rest of Lifetime’s staff immediately – not only because he is built like a brick shithouse – but because he is smart as a whip, a natural teacher, and a royal pain in the ass.

Seriously, though, he took my case, and actually researched PD in order to develop a program for me. He is a quick study about everything in life, chose this path in life over teaching college-level philosophy, and keeps the workouts interesting not only because they are extremely physically challenging but because he intersperses his patter about brawn with an impressive display of his brains. He continually insists that you stretch your limits, and pushes you to higher performance. He has no tolerance for wusses. “15 to 20…no, I lied, give me 5 more;” “Shut up and do it.” All this while proselytizing the tenets of rational objectivism, the books of Ayn Rand, the derivative of words, and the meaning of life.

OK. So I’m 61. But before David, I couldn’t walk down the stairs because of the progressive neurological erosion that comes with PD. Now, I can. Plus I can dead lift 225, AND fit into my leather suits. And a whole lot more.

Oh…..don’t let him try to tell you he hates people. He may believe that he does, but it is rare that you will meet someone so attentive to you and your particular needs. He’s right about everything else (and will tell you so), but not this. He’s not a hater. He loves his work…and his people.

And he’s damn good at it.

Christine M. LaGana
Aka “Red”