“I’ll never be a Kettlebell Sport athlete because I don’t have the heart for it…" Not long ago, I said this, and I meant it. Many people reached out, asking if I’d ever consider competing in Kettlebell Sport. But I always declined. My focus was entirely on building my business. But now, with so much of the foundation laid, I find myself in a surprising place. Just a few weeks ago, I felt an urge I hadn’t expected: The desire to compete… I’d never truly prepared for a competition. I’d simply grind out workout after workout. Set after set. Rep after rep. Over the last five years, I’ve been quietly honing my technique. And the results? Frankly, they’ve been staggering. I’ve tapped into what I call “Girevoy Muscle”. Muscle that doesn’t just look good but shows you’re capable of real work. I even get accused to be on drugs or TRT just because I'm past 40… Back in my monotonous bodybuilding days, I’d often feel bored just sitting at machines, waiting for my next set. But with kettlebells, rest intervals feel different. I’m pacing the gym like a wolf, energized and focused, with sweat dripping off my body. This approach reflects the ethos of early Strongman legend George “The Russian Lion” Hackenschmidt. He encouraged constant movement, even during rest. “Keep it moving, walk around, let the blood flow!” the legend wrote in his book The Way to Live. These days, my training is intense. I’m moving roughly 7 tons in 25-30 minutes, with 80% of it overhead. My program is intentional, my weights have increased, and my bottom line is simple. Never let a week go by without picking up double 32s. Now, back to my competition prep… Inspired by GS lifters, I don’t really "prepare" for it in the traditional sense. I train to be “always ready”—a warrior in the garden, prepared to enter battle should the occasion arise. And that occasion opens up this coming weekend. For the first time ever, I'll be competing at the 2024 IKFF World Championship, hosted by my Sensei, Steve Cotter, in the Professional division.

The Results Are In! With 84 reps (even with one "no count" after losing balance on the first rep – smh...), I secured the #1 spot in the 5-minute Snatch among 8 competitors from the Philippines, USA, France, Lebanon, Singapore, and Switzerland. @Angie Ziegler also claimed the top spot with 66 reps, outpacing 3 other participants from Lebanon, the USA, and Switzerland. Notably, she was the only female competitor to take on the 20KG – truly impressive! In the 5-minute Snatch division, only two of us dared to lift the 32KG kettlebell. My competitor managed 30 reps, highlighting just how much of a beast the 32KG really is. As they’d say in Formula 1, it’s a double win for Switzerland! 🇨🇭 Keep an eye out for loads of new content coming to YouTube over the next few days. And a massive thank you to everyone who joined the livestream!

My first competition set ever.. What an incredible experience! I felt strong, with plenty of reps left in the tank, and the weight moved smoothly. That smoothness didn‘t surprise me since I was using the almighty Pro Kettlebell. 🔥 I’ll go into more detail on my YouTube about my experience, preparation, and goals, but here’s the quick version. About a month ago, I started thinking about competing. As I explored if this was a passing idea or a real goal, I intensified my training. Thanks to Levi Markwardt, I was lifting heavier and incorporating #twobellsoverhead into my regimen. When I decided to compete, I focused heavily on the Snatch. My working weights became 32 KG and 34 KG. Last week, I discovered that my Sensei, Steve Cotter , is hosting the IKFF Championship 2024. This brought everything full circle as I chose to enter the professional division for the 5-minute Snatch with the 32 KG. Five years ago, Sensei Steve certified Angie and me to his rigorous IKFF standards. Five years later, I’m competing under his watch. And there’s more. Denis Vasilev was the first guest on my podcast, and this competition is ranked according to his IKO (International Kettlebell Organization). That connection gave me even more motivation. As a result, I easily achieved a CMS level in the professional division, with my eyes now on Master of Sport (106 reps) and Master of Sport International Class (139 reps) in my weight category. This competition may mark my official entry into Kettlebell Sport Pro status, depending on the judges‘ decision. It’s a milestone moment, and I’m excited for what’s ahead! Now, back to the grind!

Here are your next steps: 1. Introduce yourself by commenting on this post 2. Share your goals, accomplishments and why you're into kettlebells 3. Feel free to share your city or area where you‘re from so we can pin you on the dojo map 4. Download the "Skool" app (iOS | Google Play Store) 5. Learn about the «Kettlebell Dojo 101» here 6. Understand the exercises of the dojo here 7. Learn more about your belt tests here 8. Share your journey with the community 9. Share feedback to improve the dojo 10. Level up ASAP! The rules and goals of the Dojo are simple: - Our common goal is to achieve black belt status - You unlock new belts by interacting with the community - Every week, we post an "Accountability Action Post" aka AAP - Learn more about AAPs here Some quick tips to work towards achieving black belt status: - Share your workouts, journey, and ideas with the group to level up faster. - Achieving Level 9 (black belt) requires significant time and numerous interactions. - Don't get discouraged; simply show up and do the work. - Dedicate at least 30 minutes per week to kettlebell training to enhance your skills. - If your objective is to optimize nutrition for weight loss, go here. Moderators are @Jason G, @Angie Ziegler, and @Jacob Shaffer