Danny McDermott

For over forty years weightlifting has played a major role in Danny's life. During his career Danny has competed, coached, managed, directed competitions, gym owner, referee, promoter and public speaker. Having a rich experience of witnessing the evolution of weightlifting and how it has affected the lives of many people makes His journey interesting.

Along the way Danny has achieved several accomplishments. As a teenage Bodybuilder, Danny has won the titles of Teen-age Mr. Los Angeles most Muscular and Teen-age Mr. California Most Muscular. As Open Competitor, Danny has won the Mr. Orange County, Mr. Anaheim, Mr. Venice beach, Mr. Muscle Beach, and the American Cup Championship Title. As a power lifter, Danny obtained two concurrent California State Bench press records in the 165 lb division (430 lbs.) and in the 181 lb division (451 lbs). In addition Danny also held the American National record in the 165 lb division and a top three world ranking. For his outstanding achievements in 2010 Danny was inducted in the Powerlifting Hall of Fame. Danny's passion of accomplishment did not stop at weightlifting He also achieved a Black Belt in Kung Fu-San Soo. As a Martial Artist, Danny was one of the ten selected to represent the United States in a match against the Thai Kick Boxers.

As a strong believer in putting back into the community, Danny has trained many athletes who have benefit from His experience and knowledge. As a coach Danny has had the pleasure of developing willing participants to better themselves through weightlifting. Training athletes to achieve their best has always been Danny's goal. As a result Danny has successfully trained powerlifters who have broken State, National, and World records and bodybuilders to major titles. On the International level Danny has coached the American Powerlifting Team in the 1980 World Games and the Japanese Women's Powerlifting Team at the 1980 World Championships. Not limiting Himself to Weightlifters Danny has trained several college athletes, many of who played at the division 1 level.

Danny served as the California State Chairman for the United States Powerlifting Federation. In 1979 Danny promoted and directed the Powerlifting National Championships in Los Angeles.

Today as a member of USA Weightlifting Danny is extremely active in Olympic Weightlifting. Among the many activities Danny is registered as a U.S.A. Weightlifting Senior Olympic Coach, an LWC Referee, and the current Local Weightlifting Committee President for U.S.A. Weightlifting, President of Team Southern California, and serves on the USAW Competition Committee. Youth development is very important to the future of Olympic Weightlifting in America. Responding to the need Danny donates his time doing speaking engagements, seminars and demonstrations. As a training facility for Youth Weightlifting Danny developed the Olympic Weightlifting Academy. As a result of the Academy two of the athletes have earned Weightlifting Scholarships at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA.

"What has weightlifting done for the many people I have known through the years? It has made the weak strong, the obese fit, the self-conscience confidant and the low esteem believe. All it takes is the will to prepare to win"

 Shaughnessy trained at Louisiana State University Shreveport, and was coached by Kyle Pierce. He has competed as a 105 kg lifter in national and international competitions, and today enjoys coaching new lifters. His best competition lifts are 141 kg in the snatch, and 176 kg in the clean and jerk. Best training lifts are 150 kg in the snatch from blocks, and 183 kg in the clean and jerk.