The last few months have been one heck of a whirlwind! At the beginning of the year I left you with a teaser about another challenge I planned to overcome… That challenge was to become a StrongFirst Certified Kettlebell Instructor.

StrongFirst is an elite school of strength not for the weak-minded. They offer kettlebell, barbell, and bodyweight courses, certifications, challenges, and education. After getting my yoga 200-hour teacher certification, I knew I wanted to continue to work with people, especially by teaching strength training. Working with Kaizen Fitness Systems in Jupiter, Fla., I was encouraged to go after SFGI (hard style kettlebell level 1 instructor certification) to balance my teaching, my own training practices, and to transition into personal training on the side. Having yoga and kettlebell certifications would allow me a well-balanced knowledge base to build upon.

So I signed up! Then I freaked out a little. It was a huge challenge to work toward, and I refused to fail. I was warned that it was going to be three INTENSE days of training, learning, and teaching, so I had to train hard to go into the certification with my ducks in a row and my foundation of the testing skills down. The goal was to go into SFG1 Day 1 ready to test but to perfect my form in order to pass with flying colors.

The skills test included 10 two-arm swings, 1 Turkish Get-Up on each arm, 5 double-bell cleans, 5 military presses on each arm, 5 double-bell front squats, and 5 snatches on each arm, all using a 12kg/26lb kettlebell. Once getting through the skills test, if the snatch skill was passed, I had a snatch test, where I needed to perform 100 kettlebell snatches at the prescribed weight within 5 minutes.

That was intimidating! My weight class was women up to 59kg/130lbs needed to use a 12kg/26lb kettlebell. Coming from a CrossFit background, we approach kettlebells a bit differently than hard style, so I had to completely retrain my brain and build strength! I signed up for the cert barely weighing 102 pounds. Sooo the plan was to “eat my face off” and “train my a** off”! And I did it. I prescribed to an amazing meal plan, loaded myself with protein and carbs (mostly the good kind, wink wink), and got on the Brett Jones SFG Prep Guide. I put on 5lbs of muscle and weighed in at 107. I was super proud of that and new this was the first step to achieving my goals! [Side Note: Not going to lie; it was weird as a woman to change my mindset about weight and work hard to gain weight.]

I trained for 3 months, minus a 10-day trip out of the country. I flew to Georgia on a dreary weekend armed with nine individually-packed meals, and loads of pre-workout, vitamins and supplements. That preparation was SO worth it, though! I didn’t worry about making sure I ate enough to fuel me for three long days. Going through security was entertaining, but I’d do it again.

I showed up to my first day of the cert with nervousness and excitement, alike. I looked around the gym and saw people of different ages, sizes and colors and realized I’d be okay, and that we were all in this together! As expected, I met some amazing people who I plan to keep in touch with for years to come. StrongFirst breeds kind, warm, caring, passionate, detailed individuals, and I was so grateful to spend my weekend with these like-minded, elite people.

Also, I must say, I was unbelievably lucky to be taught by Brett Jones, StrongFirst Director of Education; Peter Lakatos, Master SFG and GFM creator; and Craig Marker, Ph.D, Senior SFG.

After three long days, sore muscles, ripped hands and friendships forged, I walked away with an Instructor T-shirt and a certificate in hand. But along with the physical awards, I walked away with a wealth of knowledge and greater confidence in what I do. Both of those things are still growing day by day.

Since completing my SFG1 Certification in February, I have taken on a few before and after-hours kettlebell strength classes as well as some private clients who desire to get healthier and stronger in mind, body and soul. I’m a better person inside and out, and I incorporate the principles that StrongFirst stands for every time I train and work with others.

Checkout my StrongFirst Instructor Profile!