A Philosophy of Strength and Health

The following exchange occurred this past weekend at a Crossfit Olympic Lifting Trainer Course in Springfield, MO. "So what elements of Crossfit do you think are best for your athletes?" "None of them. I don't do Crossfit. I just help teach the weightlifting stuff." "Then what programming do you think is best?" "I don't think there is one best way. I guess you could say I follow a 'functional training' mantra and do what I think is best for that athlete, at that time, given her/his needs. My philosophy is based on training movement, not muscles. There are some basic movements: squat, lunge, push, pull, rotate, walk, run, jump, crawl, throw, catch, hit, kick. The goal is to create basic musculoskeletal durability, physical competency and movement literacy in the context of sport and/or life." I always find exchanges like this very interesting. So many people get caught up in the idea of one true way, or finding the one best cert...

It is my life's passion and vocation to give young people the physical infrastructure & movement literacy to tolerate the forces/demands of their sport. And also mentor them as to what it means to be disciplined, to work with intensity, t o carry themselves with dignity, and to make themselves--and those around them--the best they can be. That's how I roll. Sorry I have been away from the blog for a while. Significant developments are in the works. I hope to elaborate soon.