David Laid

About

David Laid (born January 29, 1998) is an Estonian-American fitness influencer, YouTuber and fitness model. He became popular with his transformation videos on YouTube, which showcased his changing physique starting at 14 years old as a result of weightlifting. He was named Gymshark’s creative director of lifting in 2023.

David Laid was born in Estonia, where his mother, Nino, had previously immigrated from Russia. After his father died from falling off a docked cruise ship when he was two years old, his mother immigrated with him to the United States, where she opened a café. Laid was raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and attended Mainland Regional High School, where he received average grades.

While playing hockey, Laid was diagnosed with scoliosis at age 14, and soon after—inspired by fitness YouTubers such as the Hodgetwins, Marc Fitt, and Jeff Seid— and by mockery from his peers for his then-thin frame— he began working out and bulking. He later became known for his transformation videos on YouTube beginning at that age, uploading his first, an 18-month-long transformation, in December 2013. His second, uploaded in August…