The Time Has Come

At some point in the last year I decided I didn’t like where things in life were going. In particular, I finally figured out after multiple years working in business that I may not ever be happy with a job in the corporate world. I also wasn’t happy with my physique, my health, or my training regimen.

Sometime shortly after this realization, I ran into RKC II Josh Hillis and was introduced to Russian kettlebell training. Yeah, I’ve already rehashed this scenario, but stick with it….

Within a few weeks of beginning the training, I realized I’d finally found something outside of professional sports that I loved. I realized that with the results I was getting, the way I felt physically and emotions, that if I were ever to find myself unemployed, I’m pretty sure non-stop KB training is what I’d be doing to pass the time till I found another gig.

After a little investigating, some Q&A, and general daydreaming, I decided that it was time to take my ship in a different direction. I set multiple goals to achieve over the course of the year. The first, obviously was to get into better shape and in better health. Within 6 months of beginning my training, I’d lost about 15lbs of fat, shredding my body fat percentage by a full 5%.

The next goal was to seek certification as a personal trainer, something I accomplished at the end of February after months of studying. Though I’ve done nothing with the cert just yet (don’t worry, I will. I’ve just been waiting to accomplish goal #3 before moving on it), it was still a pretty proud accomplishment and represented a huge step in a new direction (not to mention that it gave me a fall back option were I to ever hypothetically find myself unemployed. I’m still employed, don’t worry).

The last–and seemingly least attainable–goal on the list was to register for, attend, and achieve my RKC certification. So, here I am, posting this blog entry the night before I leave for Minnesota for the 3 day workshop. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous as hell. And even though I’ve been training for a solid 8 months or so, forgive me for being a bit wary and under confident. After all, the RKC has roughly a 65% fail rate on account of it being 3 days of 8 hours of workouts. In short, it’s effin’ hard. So anyone coming in overconfident about how well they’ll do will surely get cut down to size a bit.

Doubts aside, I’m almost in denial that RKC is already here and that I’m going. For so long it seemed like just a pipe dream. And now, it’s in 2 days. I can’t help but mentally pass over the blisters, the sweat, the unending torture and fatigue and start imagining what it’ll be like to be one of only a couple thousand people in the world with such a designation (A:  kettlebells aren’t that super popular yet and B: as mentioned, this cert. is effin’ hard!).

More importantly, it’s likely that should I pass, I’m almost certain to be the first–and only–RKC to have achieved the certification after surviving two heart attacks.  That would certainly be a feather in my cap, a story to tell, and one helluva source of pride for me. It’s the perfect illustration of the tattoo I’m planning to get if and when I achieve certification:  Succisa Virescit, “When cut down, it grows back stronger.” That is exactly what this whole thing is about, and I’m determined that get it.

I will try my best to tweet and blog from RKC. Assuming I have any energy left after the day’s workout (or any skin and dexterity remaining in my hands to type), I’d love to give everyone a bit of insight as to what the RKC experience is all about. From others’ stories, it’s not *only* about suffering. It’s about camaraderie, ongoing education and continuous improvement, and learning how to teach others to change their lives by safely using an ancient, basic tool of fitness.

I’m certainly looking forward to this. And if I’m lucky enough to achieve goal #3, I’ll consider this past year to be among the best, most productive, and most prideful of my life. Now the time has come…I’m ready to bring it.

NASM-CPT: Remembering why I hated H.S. science class

Today I made my first real attempt at studying for the NASM-CPT exam (personal training certification), which I’m hoping to take in either January or February. Since I ordered my materials a couple weeks ago, all I’ve really done is watch a few of their introductory videos on member section of the website and solicit tips and recommendations on Twitter from others who’ve taken the exam or are currently studying as well.

So, tonight I headed to the ole coffee shop with the Bible-sized tome of information known as the NASM introduction to personal fitness training and a notebook. Within the first couple of pages of the book, I realized that this is going to take much more effort than I’d previously thought. It’s not just the sheer volume of information that I have to consume that’s troubling, but rather, NASM makes zero attempt at conveying the information in simple or layman’s terms. In fact, everything is written as if only those with exercise science backgrounds should be reading it, despite the claim that the information is for everyone—from seasoned veterans to those of us new to the industry.

I remember back in high school how much I hated our science classes:  biology, chemistry, and physics. Some of  the classes were actually pretty difficult for me, but mostly they were just boring. Everything had a technical term to describe this, that, or the other. And every quiz or exam was essentially a vocabulary test aimed at prodding me to simply regurgitate any information my brain actually held.  Perhaps that’s why I chose to go the business route once I reached college.  Unfortunately, the intervening 15 years (approximate) have wiped my brain clean of any of that information, so it’s now as is I’m starting from scratch.

As I read through the scientific jargon (understanding only bits and pieces, either from memory or by figuring out what the words could mean based on their Latin origins), my mind shifted to the thought that I’m really only interested in the end result….being able to craft a customized program for a client. Unfortunately, I’ve given myself over to the fact that I do, in fact, need to master all of this information to achieve that relatively small goal.

I realized tonight that my old methods of studying—simply reading and taking notes—aren’t going to be sufficient. I’m beginning to think that not only will I have to go back and re-read everything I’ve covered a few different times, I may actually need to bust out a tried-and-true study technique:  flash cards.

NASM was kind enough to provide me with a big-ass book, some MP3 recordings, online content, and a DVD to assist in my studying. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed with so much information available, but I’ll plod along, trying as I might to master the information as best I can with my fingers crossed that somehow—be it through repetition or divine intervention—that it’ll just click. I’m open to suggestions, study tips, and I’m willingly accepting tidbits of expertise from anyone out there who’s undertaken this exam before to help me through. I’m wishing myself the best of luck, because after Day 1, I think I kind of need it.

PS. At least the RKC is all physical, so I only have to think about the stuff I already know. Win.