Really crazy!!

It has been a crazy month. Started with RKC Ireland. 10 days in Ireland with the love of my life, Oh yeah I had to teach at the RKC too. Laura and I had a great time trekking all over the beautiful landscape. Not to mention that we all got the royal treatment from our Irish brothers and sister D, Paul and of course Carmel
It's amazing how people can feel like family from the first day you meet them.

After we got back to CA Laura and I had 20ish days before a wedding. In that time I think I saw Laura for a total of about 24hrs in those 20ish days leading up to our wedding. She was on a roll and busting out orders and plans like it was her job! The result was the most special day of my almost 40 years of life. I still can't believe that I'm this lucky. I can not wait to see what unfolds for us, it's going to be an unreal adventure.

That's a quick update of life in my world. I am amazed everyday by those around me AKA the Sacks family. Thank you all for helping me be a better me.

Off we go again

It's that time again. Laura and I have been lucky enough to be picked to teach at the first ever RKC Ireland. What a honor! I'll post all about it when we return.

This does mean that there will be NO classes in Ventura the week of OCT 3rd. Classes will resume on Oct 11th. Enjoy the week off!

Reminders

I'm reminded daily of how great life can be. A smile from Laura, a motorcycle ride through the mountains. Both of which must be the reason I walk the earth because I can't imagine something that would make me happier.

I teach kettlebells for a living. Really? I've traveled to places, made friends and experienced things I wouldn't have without kettlebells. Wow, a hunk of iron that looks like a cannonball that you JUST swing and pick up and put back down. I often tell people that the RKC will change your life if you let it. I remind myself how much it has done for me. Just a piece of iron, not really but a daily reminder of how well off I am.

RKC II

I had the pleasure of teaching at the most recent RKC II in Saint Paul, MN. It was hot damp and just as tough as it should have been.

Team Kilt, killed it as always. What a great group! My goal at RKCs is to build a team that supports each other for the whole weekend. I got lucky because they were cheering for there teammates right out of the box Friday morning and it built from there. This then made the rest of the weekend much smoother. If a team member was attempting a PR in the press or testing technique they had the whole group for support. It was a pleasure to have all of you. THANK YOU for a great weekend!

Ok, I suck!

It has been over a year since I last posted anything on my blog. I guess it's time for an update.

Here is the short and sweet of it.

Tons of travel for RKC and HKC stuff. Several new projects and clients that have changed the way I view some aspects of training. All for the good! There are clients climbing mountains, throwing spears, flying stunt planes and jumping motorcycles above the world like they are walking to the corner store. I have been very fortunate to build new friendships and keep old ones.

I was reminded today by a good friend of mine just how lucky I am! He of course didn't know that's what he was doing. But somebody stopping by just to poke a head into class means more than people know. Thanks Jeff.

The other huge thing that has happened is that Laura Sacks agreed to become my wife. I could ask for nothing more. So this November we'll be getting married in Carpinteria CA with 160 of our closest friends. Life is grand and I try to remember that everyday.

I love you Laura!

Is it over????

The last 12 days have been a whirlwind of hours, travel, sweat, fun and kettlebells. Starting on

May 4th Laura and I flew to Venice Italy for the first ever RKC Italia! What an amazing experience. We knew it was gong to be a passionate group but they were above and beyond what we had imagined. There was no such thing as a group dinner on just one night. No everybody ate together all 3 nights. We were treated like kings and queens at a local restaurant were for 20 euros we ate until we wanted to stop! It was unreal. The whole time getting looks from the rest to people trying to eat. Just imagine 40 people that think the trashing of a RKC weekend is a good time. Now make them Italians, then turn the volume up and you might begin to get the idea. True to RKC form we have made life long friends. It felt like home.

Laura and I are already talking about our next trip. We were able to spend a couple of days on both sides of the cert in Venice. What a surreal place. It wasn't nearly long enough though but it sure got the wheels spinning.

After Venice was the long flight home. Which thanks to Iceland and the volcano left an hour late and took 2 1/2 hours longer than normal. It's always bad to land an hour after your connecting flight has left!! Luckily we were rescheduled on a flight 4 hours after our original. This had us walking in our front door some 28 hours after we took off.

3 days after getting back from Italy I was scheduled to teach a big HKC in La Jolla with Franz, Yoana, and Keats Snideman. I have to say I was really worried about recovering from jet lag in time to give it my best. It took about ten minutes to get in the groove and then it was off the the races! When under stress your body reverts to training:) We had a great group of candidates and a tremendous group of instructors. The weather was perfect the kettlebells were flying and we all had a great time.

After the HKC we had a group dinner where I piled in a ton of food then we hit the road for the 31/2 hour trip home. Hit the 11:00pm traffic in LA that added a hour to the trip and we walked in the house at 1 am this morning. Slept for 9 hours and I'm feeling pretty damn good. I'm going to jump on the motorcycle and take a spin and kick back for the rest of the day. 3 weeks until HKC Seattle.

I have to give special thanks to Laura Sacks RKC, for being a great instructor, supporter and secretary. I love you!

One week left in the first cycle.

Laura and I finished the last workout of week 3 yesterday. It was simple and tough. Week start week four tomorrow before we get our new 4 weeks from Geoff. Can't wait!

week 3 of 16!!!

WOW this is going to be tough. Geoff's program is really tough but it is getting the desired results. Just started week 3 and it took a big effort to push through to the end of the workout. I of course did with Laura swinging and suffering along side of me. I can only imagine what the next 13 weeks will have in store.

I know for a fact that this is a program that I will be using for my clients and recommending for others.

HKC, RKC, Geoff hates me!

The title sums up what's been going on in my life lately. I have been teaching HKCs going to RKC to hang with my friends and test driving Geoff's new workouts. The first two things are going great the last thing SUCKS!!!!!

The reason it sucks is because its a fat burning program. Geoff is an evil man and I will be posting regularly whining about how much I don't like him. Not really but his new program is killer.

Also check out my website for our new shirts. Pavel has one and is really digging it!

Here we go!

Laura and I are starting Sr. RKC Geoff Neupert's Fat loss program. He asked if we would take it for a test drive so of course I said yes. It is going to be brutal. I will keep all informed as we go through the process.

training

Training has getting better. Just like everybody who walks the planet there are times when the motivation is low. After 20 years of weight training, 14 years of personal training and 8 years of kettlebell training it is often hard to get things going.

Last night was a good night I did some swings to warm up then hit farmers walks. I wanted to go heavy so I grabbed a trap bar or hex dead lift bar and loaded it up for some fun. Did 4 sets of 30 yards and 2 sets of 20 yards then my grip was spent. So I taught class and called it a night. It's surprising how heavy 350 pounds gets when you take it for a walk.

I have to say it.

It was cold on the beach this morning. It's the first time since I have moved to CA that it has felt like winter but only for about half the class. There was ice on my windshield as I pulled out and headed to the beach. WOW these guys are going to be cold! All that showed pushed through the first half hour and through Russian magic were no longer cold. By that time they had already gone through a single arm complex of 5 high pulls, 5 front squats, 5 military press, 5 front squats and switch to the other arm to repeat and call that one set. They completed 5 sets. Then the sun was up and and so was the temp and life was good for all.

I have to say as Pavel predicted I would become a SoCal sissy and become thin blooded and he was right. Yeah, I said it I'm a sissy! It was still a beautiful morning on the beach in December.

Dan John

I have been reading Coach Dan John's Never Let Go. What an enjoyable read. I have been looking for something to do training wise for sometime and his book has tons of ideas and all BAD in a good way. I have been messing with the one lift a day on one side kettlebell stuff he has and it's been fun. I will let you know how it goes in the coming weeks.

To the Sacks family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Grieving a loved one is never an easy process. Something I know all to well. Take care and I love you all.

Doug

T-day

I great man once told me that turkey is just a glorified chicken. We all know that chicken makes you weak. I guess for those of us willing to have a day or two of weakness should not try to use our super powers. I for one am really looking forward to being weak fat and happy for a day or two.

My parents are in town and we'll being joining the Sacks clan for the turkey day festivities and I can't wait

Happy Holidays to all!

PS don't tell Pavel about the turkey

This is why I love motorcycles!

Laura and I spent the day riding through the mountains and back roads of Santa Maria, Ca. This was all made possible by one person, John Roberts RKC. He has two Harley Heritage Soft tails and was our tour guide on the hour plus ride. There is no better way to spend a 70 degree day than with the woman you love a motorcycle and a great tour guide and friend.

Thanks John we had a great time! We would love to do it again soon.

Tires and Slegdehammers

Last night was I tire and sledgehammer workout. Really simple 600 pound tire and a 8# sledge. Flip tire 3 times beat it with the sledge 10 times, flip three more times and ten more whacks then rest. Complete 3 time and call it a night.

Classes have been going really well and the energy has been great from all my clients lately and that rocks.

Laura has been working like made to set up as many HKCs as I can handle. Next year is going to be busy.

I want one

killer

Here is one killer band from back in the day

Yeah things are great!

I have had a great week. Training has been solid for me tons of presses and weighted pull ups. Plus 5 minutes of get ups with 40kg, I couldn't ask for more.

Classes have been good and the new spot to night classes in Santa Barbara Fueled Sports is going to be killer.

And to top off the week I spent the day with two things I love Laura Sacks and a motorcycle. We took all day to cruise the hills of Ventura county. I couldn't have asked for better company and was surprised by the motorcycle/ scooter a Burgman 65o. The best way to describe this thing is a step through motorcycle. Comfortable, fast and the complete two wheel experience.

Fueled

Starting this Monday Oct 5th at 6pm I will be holding my Santa Barbara night classes at Fueled Sports Performance. I will be adding a Wednesday 6pm class also at Fueled. Contact them at 805-845-3272 for exact directions and location. The address on there is incorrect. They are on State St., between Haley St. and Cota St., near the open Indian Market and across from Hotel Santa Barbara.