About
Andrew Blackwood
I am the head coach and founder of Evolution Powerlifting. Over recent years, I have had the privilege of coaching more than 100 lifters around the world, from athletes stepping onto the platform for their very first competition to those competing on the international stage. My experience has covered the full competitive journey, from local meets to national championships and world-level events, even having the honour of handling world record-breaking performances.
Qualifications
Alongside my work with individual lifters, I’ve held formal coaching roles as Head Coach of the Irish University Team and Technological University Dublin’s Powerlifting Club.
To strengthen that hands-on experience, I’ve invested in further education, becoming a certified Nutrition coach and earning advanced certificates in behaviour change psychology, sports nutrition, metabolic health, and specific dietary strategies. These qualifications ensure the systems I use with my lifters are not only proven in competition but are built on the best practices spanning performance, psychology & nutrition.
VISION
I want to see an evolution in the way that powerlifting is approached. I have a holistic view of training that extends beyond what you do in the gym. Focusing on improving nutrition, mindset and other lifestyle variables to help you reach the highest of your capabilities.
My hope is that athletes are able to learn more from me than just squatting, benching, and deadlifting. The ultimate goal being that the lessons learned from this process transfer over to the rest of your life as well.
Mission
I am dedicated to helping my lifters work towards self-sufficiency by giving them the tools that will allow them to build better versions of themselves. Aiming to educate them, so that they understand the motives that underlie their training.
My coaching philosophy is underpinned by empathy and compassion to ensure my lifter’s feel supported through all stages of their training. All in all, my objective is to provide for others the things that I wish I had when I was beginning my journey in powerlifting.
experience
Outside of coaching, I’m an experienced powerlifter with more than 10 international caps representing Ireland. Over my career I’ve broken 25+ national records and earned multiple medals at the national, European, and world level.
There’s a saying that ‘those who can; do and those who can’t; teach.’ I’ve always believed in doing both. Years of competing at the highest level have shaped the systems I now coach with. Uniting practical experience with science-backed systems to give my athletes the most comprehensive service and the best possible results.