We have resources....

...you just need to find them and ask the right questions. I got a great message from Leslie Branham Paulsen. She is tearing into the Secret Service Snatch Test at breakneck speeds. Recently she performed 250 snatches in ten minutes with the 12 kg bell. She made a great comment about the test. She stated that it "...brings a runner's endurance and mental toughness with the strength required of the kettlebell." I like that. Mental toughness. Going the distance with the SSST or Max VO2 without a doubt taps into the mental toughness. It's about desire. Accomplishment. Pushing the envelope and doing something at the edge of your abilities. But why? Why go thru the hell and subsequent hand care that follows. I guess we all have our own reasons. I do it to feel life. It's not the only thing that gives me a spiritual lift and mental cleansing. But it is one that carries with it a great deal of accomplishment and sweat equity. Nothing else in my life does to my body what a kettlebell does to it. So, I could never have this experience in my body without the kettlebell. Our daily lives lack any real intensity. I am not saying what we do isn't important. I am saying that REAL intensity can't be sustained over an eight hour day. Mentally we just can't handle the load. We manage more stress than anything else and this contributes to job 'burn-out.' Odd how a little intensity in your weekday can reduce the stress at work. It's a diversion but it is also a benchmark. How can you be stressed about the daily grind of work when your intensity is after work. National statistics have 13% percent of the american people as holders of gym memberships. A VERY successful gym has about 30% of their membership 'frequently' or 'actively' using the gym. That's 4% of general population based on a successful gym. Of that percent, what percent have any intensity in their training? 10% if your lucky! Stairmaster, stepper and tread mill babies slurping their sports drinks, watching Oprah and ending after one hour ( because thats a good workout ) make up the bulk of members. Please shoot me, stuff me and stick me in a corner if I ever become that drone. Look around the gym. You will have just a handful of members that stand out. Now take them and bring them to a kettlebell class. It isn't long before they wonder what the hell just happened to them. As you can see, our class is special and so are the members. What keeps bringing us back? We joke, but it is not the beer. It is the intensity. We feel after training. We see improvements and changes. Yesterday Kristin and Donna posted the #5 (53 lbs) for the first time. Ben is quietly becoming the incredible shrinking man. Bill and Jack have more mobility. Jon became more fluid with his movement. Deb grabs much bigger bells during training. These are just some of the observations I made by watching the progression of the students before and after yesterdays class. Keep this in mind as you come to and from class. Then start walking a little taller...proud chest. You' ve earned it!

"CIVILIZE THE MIND BUT MAKE SAVAGE THE BODY." - MAO ZEDONG