First StrongFirst Team Leader Term: Lessons Learned

Why StrongFirst Captivates MeWhile I was active on social media platforms, one of my followers inquired about the intense passion I held for StrongFirst. That question prompted a response that later evolved into a key segment of my presentation titled 'What is StrongFirst?', which I have presented n

Why StrongFirst Captivates Me

While I was active on social media platforms, one of my followers inquired about the intense passion I held for StrongFirst. That question prompted a response that later evolved into a key segment of my presentation titled 'What is StrongFirst?', which I have presented numerous times at SFG I StrongFirst Kettlebell Instructor Certification events.

Here is the detailed answer I provided at the time:

• It possesses a clear definition. We have a precise understanding of our identity. There are no identity crises within our community.
• It offers tremendous practical value. With just three primary tools and a unified system, it applies across countless scenarios and goals.
• It embodies elegance. StrongFirst stands out as refined, brilliantly designed, and unmatched in its approach. (Delivering this point with enthusiasm, complete with dramatic pauses and direct eye contact, truly establishes the powerful atmosphere of the talk.)
• It proves simple to begin practicing yet incredibly challenging to perfect, as anyone who has participated in a StrongFirst certification weekend can confirm from their own experience.
• It delivers concise principles that carry profound depth, perfectly illustrated by one of our core hard style principles: an inch wide and a mile deep.
• For those who embrace minimalism, StrongFirst represents the ultimate ideal realization.
• While many can step into roles as strength coaches or fitness trainers, only a select few possess the qualities necessary to excel as an SFG instructor. (This line consistently moves at least one attendee to tears during every presentation, and as StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor Andrea U-Shi Chang has noted, that emotional response signals a truly impactful delivery.)

Exercising Leadership Prior to Formal Recognition

Long before I officially earned the designation of Team Leader, I conducted myself as if I already held that distinguished position. Prior to any formal acknowledgment, my personal mission centered on serving as a passionate advocate for hard style principles. I embodied them fully—speaking about them authentically and demonstrating them through consistent action—because this remains the most genuine method of true leadership.

I poured significant effort into nurturing the community by organizing workshops, facilitating certifications, and engaging in outreach initiatives that pushed the limits of my mental resilience and promotional abilities. I pursued every opportunity that arose, traveling to locations where StrongFirst could make an impact. This even included conducting a workshop in Wyoming, the nation with the smallest population in the United States. My drive stemmed not from financial gain or personal vanity, but from a deep conviction that the enthusiastic learners in that area merited access to StrongFirst methodology. (A special thanks goes to Maggie Jones, SFG II, for graciously hosting and placing her trust in me for that event!)

This dedication culminated in what I call the Los Angeles trilogy—a series of three remarkable events. The city of Los Angeles welcomed me with open arms, much like indulging in a churro coated in rich caramel. Ara, who was on the verge of earning his doctorate, generously provided his venue without any conditions, while the dedicated Iron Revival team ensured the sessions were packed to capacity. It was a complete sell-out! The initial workshop focused on bodyweight training and unfolded like a joyous tribute to the foundational values we uphold: simplicity in execution, mastery of skills, raw strength development, and the unbreakable bonds of community. Even if I never led another workshop afterward, that single experience would have filled me with lasting pride. The vibrant momentum from that first event propelled the subsequent Bodyweight 201 and 301 workshops. Although these advanced sessions attracted smaller groups, the level of intensity and dedication remained unwavering throughout. We paid homage to ourselves, to the hard style philosophy, and to the StrongFirst legacy in every moment. It was nothing short of magnificent.

Guidance from True Masters

My debut as a Team Leader, overseeing a group of as many as sixteen participants, took place at an official certification event in Utah. I had the profound honor of collaborating alongside hard style icons Zar Horton and Andrea U-Shi Chang, both StrongFirst Certified Master Instructors. Over the years, I have gained invaluable knowledge from assisting various StrongFirst Certified Masters, yet Masters Z and Chang occupy a uniquely cherished position in my heart due to their steadfast dedication to adapting and advancing alongside contemporary shifts—an approach that feels more crucial than ever amid evolving participant profiles and intensifying market competition.

Navigating Tough Times with Hard Style Resilience

Even amidst the perpetually bright weather of Southern California, life does not always unfold as a seamless parade of optimism and ease. Throughout my initial tenure as Team Leader, I confronted profound personal trials, including the passing of family members, the sudden closure of my training facility, the dissolution of several close friendships, and significant financial struggles. It has been the unyielding rigor, ironclad discipline, and my unwavering commitment to strength training that have consistently guided me through these storms. While some casually proclaim that 'strength serves a higher purpose,' far fewer truly embody that conviction in their daily lives.

Charting Your Path in Strength Development

Position strength as the cornerstone of your training foundation.

Resist the temptation to frequently switch between different training programs. As StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor Derek Toshner wisely observed, 'When you're mixing fragments from this program with bits from that one, you're effectively following no structured program whatsoever.'

Dedicate yourself fully to a single program at a time. Drawing from both my experiences as a dedicated practitioner and as a seasoned coach, I recommend targeting an eight-week commitment as a solid benchmark, with the most transformative outcomes typically emerging from dedicated twelve-week cycles.

For those seeking a more structured long-term strategy, consider mapping out an entire year ahead. My personal approach involves methodically rotating between bodyweight-focused training (drawing from SFB principles), kettlebell-specific work (aligned with SFG I and SFG II standards), and barbell lifting (inspired by SFL methodology). This rotational framework has formed the backbone of my training regimen since 2006.

Across two decades of consistent practice, I have gradually incorporated complementary elements into my routines, and you can expect to do the same as your journey progresses. For instance, during a dedicated SFB bodyweight phase, the foundational movements include one-arm pushups, pistol squats, and pullups. To enhance variety and challenge, I integrate advanced progressions such as dragon flags, front levers, handstand pushups, hand-balancing drills, jumping rope sessions, sprint intervals, and invigorating hikes.

In my SFL barbell phase, the primary lifts revolve around the bench press, back squat, and deadlift. Depending on specific goals, I might expand this to include Zercher squats, front squats, or good mornings for balanced development.

Kettlebell training offers the broadest array of options, so select your exercises thoughtfully to avoid unnecessary complexity. Always adhere to the guiding principle of staying an inch wide and a mile deep. Prioritize grinds and ballistic movements over convoluted training splits or excessive variety.

My standard protocol involves immersing myself in one modality—whether kettlebell, barbell, or bodyweight—for a full three-month block before transitioning to the next. In the final quarter of the year, I direct my efforts toward addressing whichever area demands the most attention, or a strategic blend of all three modalities. To illustrate, here are examples from a recent three-month kettlebell training block.

The comprehensive StrongFirst curriculum serves as an excellent resource for guiding your exercise choices. Concentrate on cultivating strength as a precise skill and achieving technical mastery in every movement. At its core, you are honing the art of strength itself, merely adapting the implements you use to express it.

Post-Certification Strategies for Continued Progress

My role as Team Leader has provided me with deep insights into the typical thought processes of participants immediately following their successful completion of SFG I standards. A recurring inquiry that arises on the final day of the event is, 'What should I pursue next?' The exhilaration from their fresh accomplishments fuels an eagerness to dive immediately into advanced pursuits. My consistent counsel is to return home, grant yourself several days of complete rest from training, and use that time for thoughtful reflection and mental processing of the experience. Once you have recovered adequately, reinitiate your training sessions with revitalized intention and clarity.

Dedicate focused practice to mastering your newly acquired movement patterns until they flow with the same effortless fluency as your mother tongue. If you work as a coach, prioritize logging as many teaching hours as feasible to refine these skills further. This is where exponential personal growth unfolds, often revealing unexpected epiphanies along the way. Throughout my career, I have discovered that instructing others profoundly enhances my own training practice, and I am confident you will experience the same benefits.

My profound appreciation for coaching shapes every aspect of how I fulfill this leadership role; I approach it with total dedication to the quality and precision of every single repetition.

Crafting Your Comprehensive Strength Roadmap

The pursuit of strength, much like navigating the complexities of life itself, demands unwavering discipline and sustained commitment. To achieve genuine effectiveness, ongoing self-education remains essential. This principle applies rigorously even to independent trainees practicing alone at home, but it holds particular weight for those in leadership positions such as coaches, instructors, and trainers who guide others.

Following your initial certification, evaluate the array of remaining StrongFirst certifications and order them from most demanding to least challenging based on your assessment. I strongly advocate tackling the most difficult one first. Allocate at least six months for dedicated preparation toward that goal. If your progress requires eight or even twelve months, embrace that timeline without hesitation—I offer my complete endorsement! The true rewards lie in the knowledge gained and the personal transformations experienced during the preparation journey, rather than solely in the certification outcome itself.

Upon successfully passing the event, cycle back through the established process: return home, recover fully, resume training with purpose, deeply integrate the lessons learned, share your insights with the community, and then prepare for the subsequent certification. Aiming for one certification per year establishes an attainable and sustainable pace. This measured progression ensures you arrive at each event thoroughly prepared, primed to fully appreciate and conquer the challenges ahead.

After accumulating what equates to a four-year bachelor's degree in strength training through these foundational certifications, you will be well-equipped to advance to graduate-level offerings. Events such as Plan Strong, Built Strong, and Strong Endurance represent the next tier of mastery. Embracing the hard style methodology marked the most pivotal decision of my early coaching career, and I sincerely hope you discover equally profound fulfillment and purpose within this exceptional community.

I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to share the certification floor with you in the future. Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of service and for welcoming this personal reflection into the broader StrongFirst community.