By Jim Hatcher, SFG
Editor’s Note:
If you have heard anything about the SFG Certification, you have heard that it is a grueling, difficult, and demanding 3 days. There is nothing gratuitous about the intensity of this challenge, however. By expecting such a high level of both mental and physical strength from our certified instructors, we ensure that only those committed to such high standards for themselves and for their profession will be able to boast the SFG credential.The SFG is the gold standard — the toughest kettlebell certification to earn.
…Which makes the following account from Jim Hatcher, SFG all the more impressive. Jim is the oldest person ever to earn the title of SFG, at the age of 72. That’s right — not only did he endure the same three long days, but he also passed the requirements of the certification that tests the mettle of athletes in their 20s and 30s, a great number of whom still fall just short of the requirements, despite months and months of preparation.
Naturally, we asked Jim to write a little something about how he came to commit, prepare, and pass this challenge. We hope your takeaway is this:
You bet, the SFG Certification is challenging.
And it is also absolutely achievable.
So how did a 72-year-old guy decide to attend a Level I SFG Certification and — perhaps more importantly — prepare for the rigor of those three pretty intense days?
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A TRAINER SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE READ AS ADVICE, SIMPLY AS A REPORT OF HOW I PREPARED.
April 2013.
I had been training with kettlebells for a couple of years, and felt pretty competent with the basic six skills. (I was sure wrong about that, though I think I share that lesson with everyone who has attended the SFG Certification.)
I was ready to commit to the next step. Not needing the SFG as a credential to train others but looking for a goal to train for, I sent an email to StrongFirst. Essentially, I asked if is it ok to sign up for the Certification if your goal is not actually “certification”, but simply just to complete the requirements as a personal goal. The answer was “yes,” and that was just the motivation that I needed.
When the combined Level I and Level II Certifications at “The Dome” were announced for April 2014, the goal assumed a real timeframe and I needed a plan.
The plan worked! And here are its main elements:
1. At the very beginning, I made a commitment to myself that I would be successful. This was critical for me, otherwise I would not have been able to push thru the nagging little injuries, the ups and downs of training and the unforeseen that can create self-doubt and frustration.
2. The basic outline for my preparation was one of the protocols followed by many as they prepare for SFG Level I.
3. I trained “instinctively.” Meaning, I modified the days that I trained based upon how I was feeling. I learned very early that I could not handle the volume of three days in a row; even two contributed to what I call cumulative fatigue. Cumulative fatigue meant an unusually long recovery time that I could not afford. I finally found a sort of equilibrium point where I was adhering to the order of the protocol, but on my own schedule.
4. In January, I took the one-day SFG Course with SFG Team Leader Joe Sansalone as a sort of self-test to determine how my skills had improved. This was a very valuable experience that allowed me to clearly identify my strengths and weaknesses. It became necessary to focus a little more directly on some specific skills.
5. As I gained more confidence in the tested skills and the strength tests, I increased my one arm and two arm swings, and I increased the weight used (above my snatch test bell) as much as I could handle. This was my strategy for increasing my endurance and to strengthen my forearms and grip. This turned out to have been one of the most important parts of my training. I also did a lot of walking and climbing stairs.
6. The last four months I had a training partner Keith Ciucci, who was going to do the Level II cert at the same time. This was invaluable. That “second set of eyes” is very important in keeping your training focused on the skills.
7. In the final analysis, I had a plan, but not so rigid that I was over-trained. I was very goal-driven, but listened to my body and was not afraid to take a few days off when I felt that I needed it.
On Sunday I passed all of the tests except the TGU, and that was due to fatigue and loss of focus on my part. Subsequently I submitted by video and that was approved.
So there you have it. The SFG Certification was one of the highlights of my life. It was physically and mentally demanding and an immensely rewarding experience. The support and encouragement of the StrongFirst family and the camaraderie of my fellow candidates before, during, and after the cert has been an intangible that I would never have anticipated. I have met and become friends with so many truly inspirational people. Quite a gift at this stage of my life.
Proud to be StrongFirst!
Jim Hatcher is a 72-year-old retired businessman and educator who set out to prove to himself that he could meet the requirements for certification as an SFG Level 1 Kettlebell Instructor. A self described “gym rat” he prepared mentally and physically for 12 months to achieve this personal goal.
