Signs in the grass...

So I'm down in Huntington Beach, CA last week working out with my kettlebells on the beach. I'm literally getting stronger by the week with my KBs...nothing short of amazing. Inbetween sweating and heavy metal (KBs!), I'm looking around taking life in and notice a fortune cookie paper on the ground. Now I'm one of these people that ask what things in my life mean. If I see a raven circling over my head, I ask why? If someone comes into my life, I ask why? The fortune reads: "If you can't decide up or down, try moving from side to side." So I reflect. My life is in the fast lane of corporate wellness. America is bleeding. I know how to stop it. This is valuable. Things are happening. I'm at a Crossroads. Then I start looking closer after my next set...more fortunes! They read: "Education will never be as expensive as ignorance." and "An unexpected event will soon make your life more exciting." Interesting messages. I've spent a fortune on my education while others were investing in the stock market making lots of money. "So far" it has not really paid off...things ARE changing. As for the mystery event? It would not surprise me to "get the call" any day. Just a matter of time, or rather "energy." On the backside of two fortunes some Chinese words for "sympathize" and "very polite." Just senseless trash left by eco-clueless litterbugs? Maybe. Maybe not. Believe what you will. I think there are something to universal signs. I'm listening...

And the KBs! Been spending more energy on working form instead of VO2Max. Really getting my technique down--doing better to be HARD and clean. Not perfect, but better. It shows. I'm much stronger. Interesting. Just went to my 30 year high school reunion. Had to wonder how many of my classmates have doubled to tripled their functional strength the last FOUR MONTHS like I have. Answer? None. In Kettlebell Heavy Metal, Coach RJ!

Kettlebells Los Angeles-Sunday Line Up

Just got back from Santa Monica and another great day working with Dr. Cheng and his Kettlebells Los Angeles comrades. You know there is a lot of jacked up stuff in this county when it comes to health, fitness, and disease, yet when being there this morning I feel...HOPE. There is hope this morning that some Americans are most definitely getting stronger and more fit. While most of you slept this Sunday morning at 7:00 AM, we were already lined up with hundreds of pounds of Russian kettlebells and getting it on. There is a bright ray of sunshine in SoCal this Sunday morning...it's Kettlebells Los Angeles.

Check out Kettlebells Los Angeles. Quality people. Heavy Iron. Serious Fitness. In Hard Style (or no style), Coach RJ!

Sushi with Dr. Cheng

I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Mark Cheng of Kettlebells Los Angeles last night for some excellent sushi and engaging conversation in Santa Monica about kettlebells, philosophy of training, and the always evolving business of fitness. The fish was FRESH and the conversation stimulating...and humbling. I'm a bottom line keep things simple guy. On way home last night, I asked myself, what is the take home point--bottom line? My own answer? I have a lot to learn! True--in the corporate wellness business I have obtained a hard-earned status as one of the best. Despite this place and reputation, I find it refreshing, and humbling, to know that I must also remain a life-long learner and student. We both agreed last night that if there is a better way to help our clients and students--we want to know! Dr. Cheng spoke so highly of the people that have helped him like Pavel, Gray Cook, and others. I am speaking highly of Dr. Cheng, Delaine Ross, and David Whitley who have all helped me personally beyond words the last few months to "Enter the Kettlebell" world. It's sort of like being a kid again with so much before me or like when I first entered college after 15 years in the blue collar workforce and realized there was so much to learn. The more I learn about kettlebells, the more I realize how much more is still out there! And it's only getting better! So today...it's out to work on my fundamentals with the 24kg two-arm swings. At the advice of Dr. Cheng, I will swing for 2:00 focusing on perfect form for EACH rep. I'll be more patient with the TGUs today...and work on those stopping points to David Whitley referred to in one of his recent blogs...which even humbled the Iron Tamer himself! While there are many warriors in the RKC, with the best, there is also humility and an open mind to keep learning from each other to be better and better. Moving better--that's what it is all about for me--the bottom line. Next week--back in Atlanta to hang and train with RKC Delaine Ross @ Condition Kettlebell Gym! Enjoying the SoCal Sushi this weekend, Coach RJ!

SoCal Earthquake Update!

Hey everyone,
I’m in LA today. We just had a ripping earthquake. It shook the crap out of my apartment in Valencia. Friggin’ RJ was getting ready to leap off the 2nd story balcony into the tree--fitness in ACTION at the time of need! Not a hard jolt but a major rock and roller up and down and all around for about 30 seconds—15 of which was pretty intense. Anyway, I’m okay. No damage that I can see anywhere. Not sure what is up at this point, but I’m hanging tight and okay. It was a 5.8 in Chino Hills between Santa Monica and Long Beach.

Edgy in SoCal, Coach RJ

New KB Snatch PR!

So I'm in Paso Robles, CA this week. I set up some work friends on the kettlebells this morning. At the end, I tried a new PR on the SSST (Secret Service Snatch Test). I'm still using the 18kg for my SSST. I can snatch the 24kg but only 5-10 reps per side then I'm done. My SSST is hitting five minutes. I was at 117 reps in 5:00 last attempt. I hit 125 reps in 5:00 this morning. Now I'm on pace to expand the duration and push for 200 reps in 10:00. All the people agreed this morning--the KBs are the REAL deal! Kevin said I feel DIFFERENT! I agree. You do feel different--better! Albeit somewhat wasted at the end of a SSST but in a good sort of way. I love the intensity of the kettlebells. People that are not using don't have a clue about what they are all about. They are not stupid. They are not like dumbbells. They are unlike any other thing I have tried in fitness. KBs are high intensity primal training at its best. Swingin' HARD style today, Coach RJ!

Kettlebell Chemical Reaction

Today Luke (one of the FEW workouts partners I've had in my whole life because he can kick ass!) and I worked on KBs for 1.5 hours. I set him up on the basics. We felt the difference between other lifts and the KBs. There is a lot that goes on with KBs chemically that I didn't feel with other workouts. More HGH response. More EPOC. More testosterone. More fitness in less time. I FEEL DIFFERENT working with the kettlebells than with other types of strength conditioning. They've given me my edge back--the edge I had when I was racing at an elite level. On days when I'm throwing KBs, I have a different attitude. I was the MidState Fair tonight after our workout. Some people got rude. I thought...F this! I'm outta here! I don't tolerate bullshit when I throwing kettlebells. My mind is sharper. I'm more dangerous. I like it. Intense on Cali's Central Coast today, Coach RJ!

Battle of Atlanta...Where's Our Passion?

I was hanging out at Inman Park in Atlanta the other day. While twins Ronnie and Cade played on the climbing equipment, I ripped through a 30 minute body weight workout using a superset of elevated rear foot box lunges to decline push ups. The playground wall was great for getting the foot elevation and decline position. 20 lunges per leg then 20 push ups then repeat for a total of 200 lunges and 100 push ups. Then we walked around and visited with dog people and explored what is one of Atlanta's coolest historic neighborhoods.

I found a sign which explained the history of Inman Park. It was actually the site of the Battle of Atlanta during the Civil War. In one hot Southern July day, 9,000 men died in battle. I was awestruck. We were on hollowed ground...major chi rush followed. It made me think--people die for their passion and what they believe in. I don't think we have the right passion anymore in America. We are passionate about getting the newest iPhone or Xbox to point of killing someone over it, yet few really stand up for what is truly important like saving what is left of our country! Military is fighting doing their part. I'm fighting the health wars doing my part. Others are getting it on too--no disrespect to them. However, there are far too many people with jacked up priorities and completely lame in their way of thinking.

Speaking of lame, I saw two teens walking the other day. Both were holding their crotches because their damn pants were so loose they would fall down around ankles if not held up. What morons decided that wearing pants around the bottom third of your ass was cool? Whoever it was is making millions--that is jacked up! Pull your pants over your ass after you pull your head out--then fight for something worth fighting for y'all. Deep in the South today, Coach RJ