As many of you know, I attended the Crossfit Gymnastics Certification/Workshop this past weekend. Let me tell you, I got way more than I paid for in regards to coaching protocols, programming, etc... One thing I didn't expect was the path to which Tucker (instructor of the cert) would Coach as well as how he looked at his coaching, clients, applications, etc...
This is part 1 of a mini-series of blog posts to help you gain some perspective into what I will be coaching/saying from now one as well as looking within yourself to get the most out of your experiences with Crossfit, nutrition, life, and so on...
Part 1: Getting YOU Ready...
Tucker discussed many different areas in regards to being a coach. Now, many times I have looked into the classes and called you all "athletes." Now that is true to some extent, but Tucker made an interesting point in calling out the coaches of the room. "Do you really think all these boxes are filled with firebreathers?" asked Tucker. He made the distinction that sure, you'll have some competitors and individuals who want to gain in their respective sport, but what was I really doing as a coach?
Crossfit is the "Sport of Fitness" but what did it originally intend to do? What were the bare bones of this thing that incorporated gymnastics, strength training, and cardiovascular endurance?....
The short answer is "Getting YOU ready."
Yes, this is a very vague statement but let's break it down a bit. Do we have athletes that play specific sports in our box? Yes. Do we have individuals training toward SPECIFIC goals? Yes. So what is it that we are getting YOU ready for? There is an answer to that too; "Whatever physical or mental challenges life decides to throw your way."
Crossfit isn't just about a PR on Fran or Back Squat. The overall idea behind this functional fitness approach is to prepare your body for anything physically or mentally demanding that life decides to throw your way. This is my purpose as your coach, and this is my purpose in life. I am here to prepare YOU and help YOU get ready.
My eyes were opened this weekend to a very cool aspect of my profession (I say profession because I don't believe this to be a "job" thanks to Tucker)... I get to take part in your preparation for life and its challenges. Whenver you come into the box, do a workout, stretch, lift, move, etc... and I give you coaching cues, commands, etc... and you get pissed at me...I take that as a compliment. I am purposely pushing you to certain limits I know you are capable of because I know that certain elements that could be thrown your way will not be as nice as me when they hit.
My Message to You Is This: In any box, gym, etc... aspect where you seek out coaching, listen and learn to EXACTLY what that coach is saying. You might not see it, but there is a relationship between what you are doing in that box and what can occur outside of that box. Don't believe me, just talk to Jen if you get the chance about her battle with that fire...I had the chance to speak with her this morning about it. This morning was one of my proudest moments as a coach, and it did not have anything to do with a sport...
Best,
Coach Nate
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