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