The best advice I can give thus far from my Coaching and training experience
Because of the undeniable positive effect CrossFit had on me as an athlete and most importantly as a person, it was difficult not to be bias when I became a Coach. It’s a strange thing we sometimes do as people, label whatever is unknown and unfamiliar as “bad, wrong, negative, dangerous, etc.” when, at the end of the day, we’re simply ignorant to the subject and rather than taking the time to learn and find value in something, it's easier, and much quicker, to simply dismiss it. I’m sorry to say, that’s what I did my first year of becoming a Strength and Conditioning Coach. I started my fitness career in a CrossFit gym and at the time, that gym and the wonderful people inside of it, saved my life. Something else we do as people, when something impacts our lives in the most positive way possible and saves us from going down a very destructive path, we think everyone else should be doing it too and we take every opportunity to shout it from the rooftops. I’m sure this can get annoying to others at times, but it’s always done with positive intent. Remember that the next time your coworker won’t just shut the hell up about her “awesome new trainer or fitness class you just have to try!” They simply want you to experience the positive changes they are, that’s all.
As I type this, I am seven years into my career as a Strength and Conditioning Coach and I am proud to say my only bias now is believing we should all move like we care. Whatever your movement practice is, I encourage you to do it with mindful intent. These may seem like wise words now, or maybe to someone who is actually wise they don’t, either way, this conclusion was came to through years of self experimentation, time, sacrifice, energy, injuries, and traveling thousands of miles to learn hands on from the best athletes and Coaches in the world.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have mentors, whatever it is you decide to do for your career, having a mentor is a game changer. Someone who has already done the grunt work and is established as one of the greats. Someone who practices exactly as they preach, and most importantly, someone who you trust and listen to. I have been fortunate enough to have many but one of them was Zach Even Esh. If you’re in the Strength community you definitely know who Zach is, but if you’re not, take my word for it, he’s one of the best Coaches around. I once asked Zach what he thought about a particular exercise and he simply answered, “Never discriminate against ways to get stronger.” He may not have known it, but in that moment, he changed the entire way I look at training and health overall. Why in the hell would you ever not do something as a Coach, athlete, and or human, that has the potential for making you better?
With this newfound philosophy on training and Coaching, I began experimenting, learning new exercises and different styles of program design, and learning from any and every Coach and athlete I respected within a fifteen hour driving distance. My training evolved from doing CrossFit, to Bodybuilding, Steel Mace, Steel Clubs, Kettlebells, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Strongman, Powerlifting, Bodyweight training, Olympic Weight Lifting, even dabbling in a couple Hip Hop dance classes. There are still so many things I haven’t tried yet and I am sure with more experience will come a difference of opinion, but as of right now, the best advice I can leave you with is; find a practice you’re interested in, find someone who Coaches it who you respect and trust (and is worthy of your respect and trust), always move and practice like you care, and stay open minded and curious. If your muscles and mind stay stimulated, you’ll continue to progress and evolve both in your health and life.
Health is Happiness
Karli