Born: June 19, 1986

Hometown: Decatur, AL

Current Residence: North Port, AL

What is your Alabama Connection?
Born and raised in Alabama. Lifelong Alabama resident.

Current pursuits in life & powerlifting:
I’m a lifelong strength athlete whose achievements span competitive powerlifting, Military service with the Alabama Army National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst. He was commissioned as an officer in 2011 and has since served in both Intelligence and CBRN Officer roles, applying analytical discipline, leadership, and operational planning throughout his career.

 

On the civilian side, Phil is a respected real estate broker and investor in the Tuscaloosa area. He was named “Best of the Best” Real Estate Agent and selected for the “Top 40 Under Forty” by The Tuscaloosa News, recognizing both performance and community impact. 

 

Beyond business, Phillip has served as a worship leader and worship team leader at multiple churches in the Tuscaloosa area and currently leads a men’s small-group Bible study through Church of the Highlands.

Lifting History:
When did you start weightlifting and what inspired you to start weightlifting?

I began lifting weights at age 17 after growing tired of being known as “Little Phil,” the smallest student in my class. I weighed 115 pounds at the start of my senior year when I met Casey Dunaway at church. He told me that if I trained with him, I could become the strongest kid in my high school. I joined the gym the first week of my senior year and committed fully.

 

Growing up, I was influenced by professional wrestling and classic strength icons in movies. I initially just wanted to get bigger and stronger. Over time, I realized I had a natural ability for heavy lifting, and that led me toward powerlifting.

​

When did you get involved with powerlifting and what got you interested in the sport?

I entered my first meet in April of my senior year in 2004. I weighed in at 128 pounds and deadlifted 360 pounds, which set a teenage state record in the WNPF. My first few years consisted mainly of push/pull competitions in the WNPF and WABDL before transitioning into full meets.

​

One of my early defining meets was an APF competition in Mississippi promoted by Joe Ladnier. Competing at 148 pounds in a single-ply suit, I squatted 425 pounds. As my squat improved into the mid-500s in the 148 and 165 weight classes, my total continued to rise. Deadlift has always been my strongest lift.

From that point forward, I primarily competed in full meets across multiple federations.

​

Do you have a powerlifting nick name, if so what is it and how did you get it?

The guys around the gym called me "The Prodigy." I guess I had pretty good genetics for powerlifting: short build, strong in all 3 lifts, could lift heavier over time without putting on too much weight, consistency, etc

​

What weight class(es) did you compete in? 132, 148, 165, and 181

What are your best lifts in each category in each weight class?