Hello Everyone,

  I just wanted to take a moment to thank the people who were there through my kettlebell odyssey. Gavin Van Vlack was at the beginning. This is all his fault, he handed me my first bell.

   When I moved to the Bay Area things really started to pick up. I met Victoria D Gray, author of Kettlebells: Strength Training for Power and Grace. We worked together for two years and I learned the importance of attention to detail, Victoria is committed and meticulous.

   Victoria brought me to Kettlebell Concepts where I met Adam Khai-Cronin. Adam’s scientific mind and passion for movement was an awakening. Adam was there to teach me the importance of understanding the science behind the bell.

   Soon after, I was lucky enough to meet Jason C. Brown. Jason is a Kettlebell Jedi. I have never met anyone who combines physical strength with high intelligence like Jason. I was fortunate to work with him on several occasions including at the RKC where he was my team leader.

   The RKC is where you where you will find Pavel. There is no need for a last name here. Pavel is the rock-star of kettlebells and he has a better eye than anyone I have ever seen. He will see what’s wrong on the first glance and fix it with a word, it’s really cool. At the RKC I was also lucky enough to work with Dr. Mark Cheng. Dr. Cheng helped me with an adjustment that unlocked my ability to reach my power potential, I started to get stronger.

   Then I met Steve Cotter. Steve is a revelation. He introduced me to a whole new style (which is actually a really old style) of work. He showed interest in developing me. My first meeting with Steve changed my life. He told me about the AKC.

   The AKC is where you will find Valery Fedorenko Honored Master of Sport and his team of AKC coaches including Masters of Sport Marty Ferrell and Catherine Imes. Once you are in this room, you are surrounded by people who want to compete. This is where you learn master mechanics and are introduced to a whole new level of efficiency. It is an honor just to be able to associate with them.

   The IKFF is where I got to meet Ken Blackburn and reunite with Steve Cotter. Steve and Ken are the directors of the IKFF and are truly Master Instructors. They are world traveled, competition tested, well respected, shepherds of the craft. It was here I had the privilege to meet and work with Jason Dolby, Susanna Baxter, Brie Wood, Robert Verhelst, and Nicolas Rithner, all of whom are actively training for competition.

   I am currently training for competition. My next step is competing Nationally and Internationally. If all goes as planned this letter will be even longer by the end of the year. So to all my friends who have helped me get this far, and to all of you I will meet in the future,