Holdsworth was adopted at the age of 3 after a short stay in foster care and moved to Wilbraham, Massachusetts.
[1] He was enrolled in gymnastics by his mother and didn't like the sport until he began get good at it.
[1] He attended Minnechaug Regional High School and won the state prep all-around title twice.
[1] He chose to attend UCLA because of their Olympic pedigree, with alumni Peter Vidmar, Mitch Gaylord, and Tim Daggett having just recently won gold medals at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in the 1984 Summer Olympics.
[5] Holdsworth participated in the USA Gymnastics National Championships from 1986 through 1988, placing 28th, 7th, and 4th respectively.