1. Please, tell our readers something about yourself.
I am near 37 years old. I was born in raised in Oklahoma and I now live in St. Louis, MO.
I work in the IT field for a very large telecommunications company. I’ve got a Masters Degree In Computer Science.
I enjoy movies, music and beer almost as much as I enjoy KB lifting.
2. What is your training background like?
I started lifting weights before the age of 14. However, I have a limited athletic background. I did not play team sports past the 8th grade, and I did track and field through the 10th grade in high school.
Until I took up Martial Arts (mixed martial arts) in 1999, I really had no idea what it meant to be athletic. So, even though I was strong, I didn’t move particularly well. After several years of training, my footwork and overall coordination improved immensely.
In 2002, I started KB Ballistics with dumbbells and quickly saw their conditioning merits. In 2003, I actually purchased a 12kg and 16kg KB. I started with mainly long sets with the 12kg, and worked my way up with the 16kg. In 2004, I started attending competitions and did relatively well. In 2005, I started working with Valery Fedorenko and saw my snatch numbers climb by following his protocol. In 2007, I became an AKC coach. At this point, I set aside all other training to get better at Jerks and Snatches. My competition best at the end of 2007 was 221 snatches and 202 Jerks with a 16kg KB. Thanks to Valery’s coaching and my personal dedication to the lifts, I learned a tremendous amount and made huge technical improvements in 2007 and 2008
My unofficial Prs include 100 jerks with a pair of 16kg KBs, 240 snatches, and some other odd timed feats including 55 reps in the Seated Chair Press with 2-16kg KBs.
3. How did you end up training with kettlebells? What was the thing that appealed to you about them?
I read one of Pavel’s articles in Muscle Media 2000. The conditioning benefits of the ballistics appealed to me. They worked a major weakness..strength endurance. I quickly saw my performance in grappling improve. I no longer was a slave to the elliptical.
4. Are you using kettlebells for other purposes than your own training?
I coach others on a part time basis.
5. What are your personal goals?
Short term goals by the end of this year:
70 reps with 2-20kg KBs in the Jerk
150 reps with 20kg in the Snatch.
Mid term goals through 2009:
100 reps with 2-20kg KBs in the Jerk.
200 reps with 20kg in the snatch at a bodyweight of no more than 75kg.
Long term goals (before I turn 40):
60-70 reps with 2-24kg KBs in the Jerk (10 min).
150 reps with the 24kg In the Snatch (10 min).
6. What is your training week like, how often do you train and what?
I train some snatches and Jerks 4-5 days per week. There are days when I focus on one lift more than the other. If I need a break, I may do some light 12kg work or one arm Long cycle sets for 20-30 min with multiple switches. When I’m training for a competition, I train 5-6 days per week and I do a snatch set every day. The pace and duration will vary.
7. Is there something you’d like to say about kettlebell training? Something positive? Maybe a word of warning?
KB training builds mental fortitude like nothing else I’ve done. It also teaches body awareness. Anyone can do it regardless of body type, but it won’t necessarily appeal to everyone. It must be approached carefully if you are going to stick with it.. People tend to start way to heavy. They don’t give their bodies time to acclimate to the ballistic movements and they also don’t tend appreciate the technical aspects of the lifts in terms of safety and longevity.
8. What would you like to say to someone who’s just starting out with kettlebells, or considering it?
Start light. Find a coach or someone that can at least evaluate your technique. Worry about technique before training protocols. This may involve very short sets that don’t necessarily tax your CV system. That’s ok. You can tax your CV system with running, rowing, or other things. Treat the KB lifts as a skill first before you go very high rep or attempt to go very long.
