Thinking about HKC
I first read about it back in May. About 10 minutes after that, I registered. For me, this is a no-brainer. It should be exciting, rewarding, career-advancing and fun. It’s the HKC, the Hardstyle Kettlebell Certification. And it’s happening on Saturday.
Rather than being excited right now, my tendency is to be concerned about what is ahead, worried that A) I will forget everything I’ve learned thus far about kettlebell training and won’t be able to assimilate the information I’m given or B) I won’t be able to unlearn the things that I am doing wrong. Everyone will need correction – that is a fact. I just hope I can learn and learn fast.
I keep thinking too much. I think about how I’m NOT a natural athlete. About how doing something that requires a degree of strength and athleticism like this would have been completely out of the question for me just a few years ago. “What have I gotten myself into?” a voice in my head repeats. I wonder. I question. I doubt.
My family and friends (who really know nothing about my kettlebell skill or lack thereof) all offer their support and encouragement, saying, “You’ll be fine!” among other positive things. My twitter friends, many of whom are very knowledgeable about kettlebell training and the RKC system, have been incredibly encouraging and helpful, far beyond my wildest dream. Even Elise Matthews, RKCII and my trainer, has said that I will do fine. I’m not sure why that’s not enough for me. But it isn’t. I won’t believe it until the moment I am told that I have passed. If that happens, I’ll be one happy puppy.
Nervous but hopeful. Excited for the opportunity to actually meet some of the greats in the kettlebell community. This is what is on my mind. In a few days, there may be an HKC shirt on my back. Stay tuned. 
You’re going to do great! Make sure you take lots of random snap shots of your graduating class! This will be the first group of HKC instructors, right? You’ll be a pioneer
Sarah – since I live a vast ocean away from you, I have never seen you lift a kettlebell. So I can’t comment on your technique, although given your feedback from Elise I am sure it is excellent. However – what I do know, from your tweets and this blog, is that you are dedicated, hard working and determined to be the best kettlebell trainer you can be. You are SO well prepared for this course, and have put your heart into getting there! so I have not the slightest doubt that you will knock’em dead with your awesomeness. ENJOY! and let us know how you go!
If it’s any consolation, I am right there with you on the self-doubting. I have exactly the same worry about not being able to unlearn my mistakes quickly enough. I worry about my stamina. When I’m fatigued I have trouble keeping my arm locked out and my shoulderblade sucked in on get-ups, and I’ve also seen my back do weird things when I squat. And that’s just the stuff I know about!!
The one thing I do NOT doubt, however, is the level of commitment you’re bringing to this thing. If anyone passes it will be you, my friend, and I’m glad of it because it means you’ll be bringing all kinds of kettlebell goodness to your bootcamp clientele, and hopefully saving them from the likes of Jillian Michaels!!! You will rock the house on Saturday, and I can’t wait to congratulate you on your success
Sarah…
I don’t know where to begin but when we found each other through twitter I instantly knew you were someone I wanted to communicate with. You always know just want to say and when to say it. When I went through my certification I could NOT have done it without knowing you were in the back of my mind cheering me on…your kindness & prayers helped guide me to jump on that plane to AZ against my own judgement…as they say you are your own worst enemy & critic…I’m still learning to let go of that before I begin to teach and guess what?! You are showing me through your actions that it is possible to live your dreams and follow your passion…I am beyond blessed to know you and have NO DOUBT you are going to do absolutely AWESOME! You are “STRONGSARAH” after all
…love you girlie! I’ll be praying for you & cheering you on!
Hi again. So what’s even funnier about about the similarity in out fitness journey’s is that I recently started training with a senior RKC instructor here in town and I’m loving kettlebells! I’ve been contemplating HKC for next year sometime. We’ll see…. Anyway I am glad I stumbled across your blog.
Jake, Beth, Laura and Jaimie– I can’t tell you how much your comments and encouragement has meant to me. Thank you for being a source of strength for me. : )
Hi Jenn — I am so glad that you randomly found me! It does sound like we have quite a lot in common!!! How cool that you have followed a similar path to mine and have now landed in the world of kettlebells as well! I think it is the future of weight training for busy people, which basically means everybody! Having just returned from the HKC I can definitely recommend it and/or RKC, depending on your goals and time frame. I look forward to following your progress with kettlebells and getting to know you better! : )