1. Please, tell our readers something about yourself.
I am a mother, wife, and business owner (www.icechamber.com). I love to dance with my two year old son. I am also currently a Candidate for Master of Sport under the WKC rankings.
2. What is your training background like?
-For most of my young life, I didn’t have a training background because I was busy being sedentary and out of shape. After a life-changing decision to get healthy from the inside out in my early twenties, I trained under multiple teachers and methods including bodybuilding, powerlifting, weightlifting and general physical preparation.
3. How did you end up training with kettlebells? What was the thing that appealed to you about them?
-I worked with kettlebells during my pregnancy because they seemed to be the only form of resistance training that didn’t cause me more sciatic pain. I could easily swing the bell despite my ever-expanding center of mass. After I recovered from the cesarean birth/surgery, I returned to kettlebells in my backyard because I was too embarrassed to work out at our gym–I was facing 40 extra pounds at the time. I asked my husband/business partner/coach if he wanted to join me in getting kettlebell certified to learn more about the different ways to use the tool. His eyes lit up and we attended our first AKC seminar in January 2008. Luckily for us, we were coached by two of the most technical lifters in the U.S., Catherine Imes and Jon Hoskins. I left with a brain full of information about kettlebell lifting according to the methods used by the best lifters in the country. I also felt totally overwhelmed by the level of difficulty and technical understanding required to excel, but that’s also what appealed most to me. Little did I know at the time that I would end up competing in the sport, starting the first all-women’s pro team, or becoming a Master Trainer for the WKC. Now everything about kettlbells appeals to me because I’m just beginning to understand what high level lifting involves. I am constantly humbled by how little I really know.
4. Are you using kettlebells for other purposes than your own training?
– I play around with kettlebell feats of strength for fun and entertainment, but not on any regular basis or routine. I use the kettlebell primarily for sport.
5. What are your personal goals?
-To help make the sport more accessible to women here in the US than it is even in Eastern Europe. I hope to connect with more female athletes within the sport and open doors of opportunity for as many as possible. If our team became Candidates for Master of Sport within one year, we believe anyone can! …and why not? It’s thrilling to set a challenging goal and then to follow through on it with yourself. Kettlebell lifting offers so much more than physical exercise.
6. What is your training week like, how often do you train and what?
-My training schedule is always off due to the dynamic demands of my son and my work. I try to go three days straight and I test now on my second day because that is just typically when I feel my best (this is not what Master Coaches commonly suggest so please do not interpret that as a recommendation). My third day is always my weakest, but I try to push through it as best as I can. I also run regularly throughout the week.
7. Is there something you’d like to say about kettlebell training? Something positive? Maybe a word of warning?
-The Triple S factor: no secrets, styles, or shortcuts.
8. What would you like to say to someone who’s just starting out with kettlebells, or considering it?
-When done properly, the power and grace of Kettlebell Lifting is unrivaled in any singular sport. Don’t be afraid of a little bit of pain. It’s worth the reward.
