This Winter Haven Weightlifter Will Be Representing America in the World Strength Games in April
by James Coulter
Dan Miner only started weightlifting eight years ago. So, when he received an invitation to compete in the World Strength Games in Utah this April, he initially assumed it was sent to the wrong address.
“I actually thought it was a mistake,” Miner said. “I sent the promoter a message back saying, ‘Hey, man, I think you sent this to the wrong guy.’ He said, ‘No, I sent it to the right guy. You are ready.’ So, it is kind of one of those Cinderella stories where somebody thinks I’m ready when I really don’t because of the things that have happened.”
Born and raised in Winter Haven, Miner has been a fan of weightlifting ever since he was a little kid. Every year, he would watch the World’s Strongest Man competition and dream of one day competing.
As an adult, he became a self-taught lifter. He would work out at the gym every day and teach himself how to deadlift and other lifting techniques by watching and observing how others lifted.
“It has been a real significant change,” he said. “When I first started lifting, I was just the Average Joe at the gym…So, going from just barely picking up the bar off the floor to deadlifting 600 pounds, you know, those are major accomplishments.”
His ultimate inspiration has been O.D. Wilson, a local American world champion powerlifter and world champion Strongman competitor, who passed away in 1991. Miner especially hopes that O.D. is looking down and giving the big “Nightmare” approval.
Dan is married to his beautiful wife Elizabeth with 3 amazing children: Madison, Brianna, and Colin. His ultimate goal is to one day compete at the World’s Strongest Man competition. For now, he’s both excited and anxious to be able to compete in a world-renowned competition like the World Strength Games, and he hopes he can rise to the challenge.
Dan Miner recently appeared on the Chattin on the Ridge podcast to discuss his preparation for the upcoming competition. Listen to his personal fitness journey in our latest episode on Acast: https://shows.acast.com/chattin-on-the-ridge/episodes/ep-27-world-strength-games-wdan-miner