American Kettlebell Club Blog

 I was a Navy Corpsman (medic) for five years from 2003-2008. Eventually I had the opportunity to try out for the USMC Scout Sniper Platoon. The indoctrination course at the time was a 4 day course. The course was very demanding, 35 people started and 4 people made it to the end and were brought into the platoon. From there we did a training work up before deploying to Afghanistan in 2005. This training work up consisted of firearms training, as well as physical training, so we would be ready for the harsh mountainous terrain of Afghanistan.  As Scout Snipers we work in small teams of 2-4 men. Our typical mission consisted of us going out 5 days prior to the main force to observe specific areas of interest and gather intelligence. Because there was only 3 of us in our team during missions, each of us typically carried a load of 60lbs in our packs and another 40-50lbs on our body from weapons, ammo, and body armor alone. Therefor, we needed to be in great shape because the load was heavy and we had to move through some of the toughest mountain ranges on earth for a long time, typically 5-12 days. I knew nothing about kettlebells at this time, our workouts where pretty basic: run, swim, and lift weights. All in all we were in fantastic physical condition because our lives depended on it. Now, subsequently, during our deployment to Afghanistan our three man team was ambushed by 10 -15 men. I was shot seven times during the fierce firefight, luckily all three of us survived. I got the brunt of the fight… figures, I’m the medic. One of the seven rounds that hit me was directly in my left knee, the others struck my body armor and gear. That one round did plenty of damage to my knee though, basically shattering all the bones that compose your knee. The whole reason I am telling you this is because I went on to have multiple surgeries on my knee. I was on crutches for 6 months and went through two years of physical therapy. During this time my goal was to gain strength back in my leg and hopefully rejoin my friends and get back to work.

This is when I saw kettlebells on YouTube and came across Valery’s videos and was stunned at what I saw. So I worked hard to get fit again and eventually did the Coach’s Certification in 2008 and have not looked back. My doctors say my knee is that of an 80 year old’s and I should have a total knee replacement, but due to my age they opted not take that route until absolutely necessary. My doctors are very impressed with my recovery after saying I would need a cane to walk. Kettlebells helped me get back into shape, in fact, into better shape than before my injury. This is not just because of kettlebells but because of the methodology of the AKC/WKC and the importance of safe progression and proper technique. In my opinion, kettlebells will help the military men and women because like I stated before most of the time we are required to carry moderately heavy loads for a long time and during that time you need to be mentally strong and you need to stay calm and composed and be able to think under stress. Lifting kettlebells for timed sets the way the AKC/WKC teaches fosters all those attributes of having strength/endurance, being mentally strong, and being able to find a way to survive when it gets tough. Sadly, even with kettlebells, proper guidance, and hard work, I was not able to return to duty and was retired from service. If I was able to continue my work in the military knowing what I know now about kettlebells and the methods I have learned I would be able to be a very strong, and effective fighter. I feel the military and other agencies should take the time to use the methods taught by the AKC/WKC and implement them into their physical fitness programs. If I am able to work with kettlebells safely and effectively after my injury then most others will be able to benefit from them as well. Finally, kettlebells have given me so much in many ways. Not only have they helped me gain my strength back and given me confidence again, they have also given me a new passion for teaching what I have learned and allowed me to find a community of Kettlebell Lifters that are very supportive and encouraging in helping me reach my new goals with kettlebells. For those of you who read this regularly, you already know all too well the benefits of kettlebell lifting. I am writing this blog, not to sway people away from their regular fitness regimens, however, I am endorsing the undeniable results they will get from the implementation of the AKC/WKC kettlebell strength/endurance training into their fitness program.

Respectfully,
Retired HM3 (FMF) Jamie Pigman
gardenstatestrengthclub@gmail.com
http://www.realmixedmartialarts.com/Sections-read-25.html

Due to the death toll for soldiers in the I.E.D. blast that severely injured our Coach and friend Bob Goewey being high, I have removed the line listing the losses. It is possible this was a typo or data intended for multiple blasts over a period of time uncertain, but the details of this particular incident are being reconfirmed and will be reported in an updated Blog. I apologize for any stress this has caused you, but I also regret having to bother Bob again about details of something that has really negatively impacted his life. In fact, over the weekend I found out he had been back in the hospital for 4 days with some additional challenges. Communication is sketchy as you can imagine with these challenges and goals such as his desire to come back and help Judge at Worlds in less than 3 weeks. A few weeks ago he spoke about lifting heavy kettlebells and not being able to lift 8kg at this time. The picture in the Dedication Blog is Bob showing his resolve by lifting the 132 pound kettlebell overhead, a few months before the blast. We wish him a speedy recovery!

Worlds Dedication Blog

We also thank all those with wishful emails and powerful statements from the Dedication Blog’s original purpose. We are encouraged by them truly!

Sincerely,

Eric Liford

The World Kettlebell Lifting Championship on August 29th, 2009 will be dedicated to those brave souls, injured or fallen in the line of duty, or in service to our country. Politics aside, war is hell and those people ordered into it deserve our respect, and our help.

The Firefighters who raced up the World Trade Center steps, with the only difference between them and the people inside being their training and the shot of adrenaline they get to save lives, only to have the building come down on them, deserve our unending honor. The Air Marshals who sit quietly on our planes “watching targets, and ready to rock” as one of them told me, deserve our thanks. There are so many other examples of selfless acts of bravery and just people doing their jobs. We dedicate Worlds to them…

What can we do for them? Well, show up at Worlds next month and support them and the Lifters who have trained and qualified to stand up on the platform in their honor! No fee to Spectators! No fee for Members of WKC to compete!  You can Register Here to compete at Worlds.

I can’t help but think of Mike Stefano, our Coach and now true friend who lost his cousin and fire department mentor, Deputy Chief Charlie Kasper, as well as hundreds of his brothers on September 11, 2001. Charlie, as he was known throughout the ranks of the FDNY, was a one of the commanders of the FDNY’s elite Special Operations Command (SOC) on that fateful day in 2001. Commandeering a spare fire apparatus, and racing to the scene, Chief Kasper arrived before World Trade Center’s North Tower (WTC 1) had fallen. He assumed command of the evacuation of thousands of people on the stairwell of the still standing tower. Mike likes to say, “because of Charlie’s supreme sacrifice, thousands of others made it to safety.”

That day 343 New York City firefighters lay buried beneath the rubble. Half of the Special Operations personnel and almost all the Chiefs were lost.

Charlie Kasper was an example of supreme performance on every level imaginable. As a decorated firefighter, gifted athlete, and scholar, he was at the top of his game. His mental and physical prowess was legendary. Mike Stefano is a retired FDNY Captain who knows first hand how important this high level of Functional Fitness really is for America’s heroes. It’s not really possible for them to do the job without it. Unfortunately, most aren’t as prepared as Chief Kasper, and are in dire need of a fitness system designed just for them.

He’s told me before we can’t use 9/11 for capitalization, and we won’t, but it is the highest example of what these people just take for granted and must be prepared for. He wrote the book on Firefighter Fitness, and since then has restructured his protocols to to focus on Fitness by way of the Kettlebell. He’s quite successful in the Civilian Fitness Industry, but always attempts to infect the “steeped in tradition” FDNY from the ground up.

I also think of Marty Farrell, a Captain in the US Air Force, who is also Team America Captain and WKC’s first Male Master of Sport. Behind the scenes, without any recognition or compensation, between a full time job and Professional Level Training, Marty has worked with Valery, the WKC and the Air Force to get a first of it’s kind Study done on real kettlebell lifting. This all started more than 2 years ago and has moved all the way up the Ranks to Colonels and Generals, until finally approved last year. The Official Study has been in a “holding pattern” with the Air Force for lack of sufficient volunteers.

I think of John Henrici, another AKC Coach who sees the need for Kettlebells for our heroes. He invited Valery and I (and a few other AKC Coaches), with himself as armed escort, to Afghanistan for a tour of some US bases to deliver and instruct the WKC Fitness Protocol. The project is frozen on the table, likely due to the increased violence there, but if we are cleared to go at some point, we’re ready!  We have backup plans in the works, and as we speak, we’re making Trainers and Master Trainers in the Military who can implement the Protocol in the Middle East.

Always in our minds is Coach and friend, Robert Goewey, who as seriously injured just a couple of months ago in the line of duty. Known as “Kettlebell Bob”, he has been around the Kettlebell Community for quite some time. Over the last few years he has volunteered for all our major events, asked to be a part of the new Judging System WKC has implemented, and is always ready to get on the platform. Unfortunately, while on a mission in Afghanistan an I.E.D. went off, throwing him 30 feet in the air…

Bob considers himself one of the lucky ones that was just injured.  He sustained chemical burns to his esophagus and lung linings, a bruised liver, two broken ribs, and a dispersed nerve bundle on the right side affecting his shoulder and hip. The nerve damage requires him to retrain his leg to respond as well as his right shoulder. He’s going through some very evasive medical procedures and medications due to the toxins from the blast, so he’s lost his hair and some of his vision due to the Chemotherapy. He’s lost a lot of the hearing on his left side and his white blood cells and platelets are very low. The good news is Bob is making progress and has already booked his travel to Chicago and plans to be one of our Full-Time Judges!

We also would like to announce Coach Robert Goewey as WKC Master Trainer, and once he makes a full recovery, he will be available for WKC’s Elite Fitness Trainer Licensing.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

As you can see, some amazing things are taking place that could literally save lives. For example, we don’t need a Study to prove the Fedorenko Method works, the Military does. We already have GPP Programs preparing Soldiers and Safety Workers all around the world, but we desire the Command to understand. If you are a Firefighter, work in the Police Force or Homeland Security, serve in the Military or any such Service and you know about the effects of Kettlebell Lifting, please write a letter, and essay, a statement to that fact and send it to American Kettlebell Club. We will include it in a package we are working on to those in the higher Ranks of Service. Send your comments to: AmericanKettlebellClub@gmail.com and tell what you know! These people need real fitness, real fast, no fluff, no bull!

Thanks for your support!

Eric Liford, Editor