Gymnastics Certified...

Just got back from the Gymnastics Cert in DC.

All the things that I might normally complain about in a Crossfit event like this were almost entirely alleviated here;
Wasn't rushed
Wasn't lacking in detail
Really answered questions
Learned how to do, coach and spot
There was NO WOD
There WAS lots of applied practice
The depth was much greater than the breadth
EVERYONE was cool

Jeff Tucker knows his stuff, but more importantly he has a meaningful, uncomplicated way of conveying what you need to know. He's realistic about expectations, both for the seminar and for the participants in the short and long run. He cares about how well other affiliates are doing, both in applying his lessons and simply generally. Short; Hell of a Coach.

I was totally impressed with how totally awesome the entire crew of Potomac Crossfit was. They all seemed to be pretty competent people, but I was more impressed by the fact that they definitely made me feel welcome and where everything that NoVa assholes typically are not.

Byers... Talked through the entire seminar. It never got so bad that I really needed to say anything. I guess if this were one of my 'How to identify a Nurse' classes in school, I'd probably be at the back of the class laughing it up with Melissa (this is not a knock on you either Melissa, as I mean it; we'd probably have a lot of fun at the back of class, and you were not the only one that wouldn't shut up, you're just the one whose name I know/remember, and being taller than EVERYONE else means that you and Dallas' voices carry the farthest). But I felt bad for Tucker this weekend; he's already got to talk himself hoarse, why accelerate that to screaming himself coarse? I guess it's not everyday I feel like I have access to a coach where if I do hear every word versus every other word it's really going to make a difference. There just aren't that many coaches out their that I have access to that can make that kind of impact on my own training, but more importantly how I teach others. I have some new projects for the circus show too.

Finally, I would definitely applaud Tucker for saying (repeatedly... on a daily basis?) "I am not going to make a gymnast out of you in weekend". Amen sister. I have got a lot to digest, even though you could argue that we only covered the most rudimentary basics... I feel like I need to know it inside and out in order to convey it to my clients. I am always looking for ways to help people understand that mastery of any part of what we do would take a lifetime, but competency is achievable in a relatively short time frame. That's the beauty of Crossfit; it milks the Pareto Principle for all it's worth. Why kill yourself progressing from advanced to elite, when the journey from beginner to advanced in some other discipline takes less time? Broaden the base of that pyramid, and the peak can go higher and higher.

And remember... really? Are you really any kind of specialist? If you're paychecks aren't signed by the sport, you need to seriously re-evaluate your emphasis on it in training. If you're killing yourself training for a marathon, with no hopes of getting paid for doing so, it's time you re-evaluated your sophmoric unrequited love. Date a few other girls, and be happier. Ironically, it takes less time to go out on a few dates with several women than it does to be married to one, and trust me; you're gonna have more fun.

Off to Gymnastics Cert

I will be heading up to DC at about 6am tomorrow morning, hoping to arrive with my shit together by 8am.
We will be learning a whole mess load of stuff on the HandStand, basic bar progressions (pull up, knees to elbows, skin the cat, etc), parrallette fun and more.

There may also be Thai food involved.

Tell you all about it when I get back. Looking forward to some quality time with two of my favorite Crossfit peeps: Tucker and Byers.

Been busy

Sorry guys

I haven't had much of a chance to write up any original content...

School still takes up some of my time, we are now offering 29 hours of classes at Crossfit Full Circle, I am now the president of VCU Judo and sort of the instructor for lack of one and I am sure there's other stuff I am forgetting to mention.

I just returned from Austin, which is still weird(if you've been there, you know what I mean). I attended the 'Affiliate Gathering' or 'FilFest 2009'. It was mostly an opportunity for everyone to pat each other on the back, and to talk about Rhabdo and Insurance. It was good, but I was really looking forward to some specific info from Andy and John about how they run their business or from Lisbeth or Tony about running your blog.
They tried, but there simply wasn't enough time left. Everything preceding it ran long and they left those things until the end.
I am taking off for DC next weekend to do a gymnastics cert with Jeff Tucker at Jen Conlin's Crossfit Potomac. The idea is become a better teacher with some of the basics.
Everyone at the gym is making some serious progress. I've had a couple of clients come in with a couple of dead hang pull ups under their belts progress to 15+ kipping pull ups, some go from NO pull ups to a couple and a bunch of people starting to look like they know what they're doing when they snatch. It's a pretty good feeling.
My 'internet friend' Melissa Byers is affiliating up in New Hampshire. My first instinct was to say 'Yay. Another affiliate.' (as in sarcasm) Which is bullshit. Not only is she funny, engaging and obviously disciplined but she's clearly a 'student of the game'. She seems to spend most of her free time traveling to certs, including the one that I am headed to in DC. I look forward to meeting her. Maybe we can talk shop about running our boxes. Maybe she can help us with our image.
I will leave it at that for now. I am tired. BJJ, Judo, Lifting, Coaching, Graduating. I love all of them, but I am finding it hard to give everything to all of them. Sorry school. And Judo, I don't have time for someone who's going to play hard to get. I mean, just look at the way BJJ is dressed. BJJ is asking for it. You're acting like a cock-tease.