by Lindsay Miller

Currently a trainer at Title Boxing Club Green Hills and Cool Springs, Larry Donald started his career at Middle Tennessee State University by helping people learn the basics of boxing.

“I didn’t really pursue it as a potential career choice until I reached out to Title Boxing Club Cool Springs,” Donald remembers, saying he always had a passion for boxing, despite playing other sports. “My dad would take my brothers and I to my grandfather’s house, and we would always watch the big fights,” he recalls. Though his family connection, Donald didn’t start boxing until 2007. “Boxing has been the most demanding sport I’ve ever taken part of. Not just physically, but mentally, which is why I ultimately chose boxing as my avenue of training.”

Within the last year, Donald’s schedule has changed though since he’s had the opportunity to go on tour with Thomas Rhett and several other country music artists. “It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve traveled to a lot of places, and met a lot of cool people along the way. Besides Thomas Rhett, I’ve trained Kelsea Ballerini, Russel Dickerson, and Ryan Hurd on the road. Usually, we all work out together. We started calling ourselves RIP City, because we were in a new city every day. But also, if you want to get ripped, you knew who to go to,” he laughs.

Training alongside a music bus and continuous schedule changes makes for interesting adaptations.

“On the road, training is different because it’s a day to day thing and you can’t always plan ahead. We have a trailer with equipment and if the weather is nice, we’ll unload and workout outside. Other times, the venue will be a hockey arena or university and they will let us use their facilities.”

After initially teaching his clients to correctly throw a punch, Donald says he gives them the real boxing experience. “I train them with the same activities I use when training for a fight.” He clarifies, “Like shadow boxing, slip rope drills, foot work, and of course bag work. The mitt work we incorporate is called Mittology,” which Donald learned from years of training.

“I’m really excited about the future and things to come.” Donald says. “I’m honored to be working with lightweight, Bellator Champion, Michael Chandler, as he makes his move to Nashville.” But Donald is also focused on building his own brand.