INDIANA STONES
Some evenings at Commando Temple feel particularly special, and hosting the UK premiere screening of Made in Stone was definitely one of them.
We were honoured to welcome David "Indiana Stones" Keohan and filmmaker Will Hutchby to the gym for an evening that brought together strength history, storytelling and, naturally, some serious stone lifting.
With a projector set up in the gym and around 20–30 people gathered together, we watched Made in Stone, Will's beautifully crafted documentary that tells David's remarkable story. More than just a film about lifting rocks, it explores perseverance, heritage and the unique connection between people and stone that has inspired generations of strength enthusiasts.
Known throughout the strength world as "Indiana Stones", David has become one of the leading figures in the modern revival of stone lifting. Through his work and his passion for uncovering, preserving and sharing these traditions, he has helped bring an ancient form of strength into the modern era. His example has shown that stones are far more than objects to be conquered for a challenge—they can become genuine training tools and a gateway into a rich history of physical culture.
At Commando Temple, that influence has been enormous. David's approach helped shape the way we view our own stones. They stopped being something that simply sat in the corner waiting for someone brave enough to attempt them, and instead became an integral part of how we train and how we introduce people to strength. Much of the stone culture that exists here today owes a debt to the example he set.
After the screening, we held a Q&A with both David and Will, with plenty of questions from the crowd and fascinating insights into the making of the film, David's journey, and the wider world of stone lifting. It was brilliant to hear the stories behind the documentary and to witness the enthusiasm in the room as everyone became even more excited about carrying these traditions forward.
And, of course, no evening like this would be complete without getting hands on with the stones themselves.
The screening gave way to a full stone lifting session, with everyone eager to put inspiration into action. I was particularly pleased to lift the 183kg stone in front of David himself—a moment I'll treasure for a long time.
Personally, the evening meant a great deal. David and I had been in touch for nearly two years, exchanging messages and discussing all things stone lifting, so it was fantastic to finally meet in person. He turned out to be exactly the kind of person you'd hope he'd be: open, generous with his knowledge, humble, and an all-round top bloke.
For anyone inspired by the documentary or interested in the deeper history and philosophy behind stone lifting, I would thoroughly recommend David's book, The Wind Beneath the Stone. Like the man himself, it's thoughtful, passionate and rooted in the idea that these traditions are worth preserving and passed on to future generations.
A huge thank you to David and Will for bringing Made in Stone to Commando Temple and sharing such a memorable evening with us.
Here's to keeping the stones moving.