Transformation Tuesday: Kettlebells Turn SKC Member into a Double Fitness Threat

When Christian Sarason’s doctor advised him to make some changes for the sake of his health, he started personal training with Seattle Kettlebell Club owner Nikolai Puchlov… long before SKC existed.  Today, those health problems seem like a distant memory; in the last few months alone, he’s set a kettlebell sport record and successfully taken on a daunting physical challenge.

Describing himself as a former adrenaline junky with a penchant for most any watersport (sailing, freedive spear fishing, windsurfing, surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and kite boarding), Sarason has clearly been open to new adventures although he admits he’d never done much endurance training.  But when Puchlov’s personal training business evolved into SKC, Sarason tried group classes to save some money and quickly realized the kettlebell workouts were super-efficient and effective.

“I got stronger in a way that I had never been,” Sarason said. “This is the first thing I’ve done that has been really long term.  Kettlebell has helped me figure out my own body.”

Photo Credit: Matt Burn Photography

Last month, Christian not only broke an American Record in 10-minute 16 kg biathlon at the Crazy Monkey USA Kettlebell Championship, but he also completed his first kayak race, where he completed a 70-mile trek from Tacoma to Port Townsend (!) with a partner.  We interviewed him about the experience. 

SKC:  Can you share with us a little about the race?

Sarason:  The race was the Seventy48; a two day, on the water, human-powered race from Tacoma to Port Townsend. Sort of a mini Race to Alaska (and put on by the same folks).

SKC: How many hours did it take you to finish?

Sarason:  It took us 29 hours, and we slept for about 5 of that (we camped on the beach along Colvos Passage).  You can read some written musings at:

https://cpsarason.github.io/2018/06/18/Seventy48.html

And see a map of our track at:

https://www.sea-it-rise.com/seventy48/

SKC:  What was the hardest part?

Sarason:  This was, without a doubt, getting to Point No Point (the north end of the Kitsap peninsula) and getting all fired up thinking we were in the home stretch. This was on day two, after paddling for about 12 or 13 hours. We pushed right out into the incoming tide and paddled super hard for about 20 minutes and....went nowhere.  If you look at the track (red is actual, blue is planned) near Hansville you can see we didn't have a very good line. That was about what minute six or seven feels like [in a kettlebell sport set] ...just, oof. We paddled a total of 18 hours that day, so we weren't even in the home stretch!

SKC:  Any further reflections about the experience?

Sarason:  The Seventy48 race was my first significant sea kayak attempt (I previously had only ever paddled at most a few hours, with no particular urgency).  I credit my training at SKC for giving me both the mental toughness as well as the fitness level to be able to finish. It didn't hurt that I paddled the tandem with my friend Matt Pruis, who completed the Race to Alaska last year in a kayak and left 36 hours after we completed the Seventy48 on his second R2AK, paddling solo. He is a machine, which was awesome, but then again, I had to keep up as best as I could.

Sarason went on to praise SKC on how its training has transformed many beginning lifters into successful competitors and says his favorite parts of coming to class are Coach Misha’s motivational speeches and seeing all the of 5:15 am members pumped up after class.  

“Kettlebell training is one thing, but I don’t know if everywhere has the vibe that Seattle Kettlebell Club does,” Sarason said. “There’s no way you cannot be encouraged by the people around you.”

Congratulations on your achievements, Christian!  You make us proud.

-Camille Borodey and Amber Puchlov

Transformation Tuesday: Marc Craig Tested and Neurologist Approved

Last year, Marc Craig left New York, where he worked as head of construction facilities purchasing at Columbia University, and retired to Seattle with a goal of not only enjoying all the wonders of the PNW, but to make some life changes, which included having a consistent fitness routine.

Before and After 

“The two life improvement things I’ve had since I’ve moved to Seattle are kettlebell and cello lessons,” Craig said.

Although Craig has enjoyed Tae Kwon Do and boxing in the past, he says that SKC is the first program he’s ever followed where he’s reached his goals of toning up and losing inches around his waist. Now he’s coming to SKC three times per week and has lost 25 pounds since November.

On a quest to start a new life chapter post-retirement, Craig praises the programs at SKC for improving other areas of his life as well.

“I suffer a lot from migraines, and I’m finding I’m having less episodes,” Craig said. “My neurologist said this is specifically a very good exercise for migraine treatment.

“I’ve never had any trouble motivating myself to go, and I’m going to miss it. People are great here, and Nikolai and Amber [SKC Owners] are fantastic.” 

Unfortunately, Craig is moving to Victoria BC this month, but he purchased some kettlebells and is confident that he’ll be able to continue a consistent regimen once he moves. Just because he’s headed up North doesn’t mean his fitness routine has to go South!

“I think I have a good sense of form. One thing I’ll miss is working out with other people. I really like the fact that the members consist of so many different age groups and fitness levels working out together,” Craig said. “That certainly inspires me.”

We’ll miss you, Marc, and wish you the best in BC!

-Camille Borodey

Wonder Woman Wednesday: Allison Moore Achieves Second CMS

SKC kettlecoach Allison Moore received her first CMS (Candidate for Master of Sport) this spring in 10-minute 16-kg snatch, and this past June 30th at the Crazy Monkey USA Kettlebell Sport Championship she received her second CMS... this time in 10-minute 16-kg two arm long cycle (TALC).

Photo Credit: Matt Burn

"When I hit the CMS mark during my set, I could hear my friends and teammates cheering for me. I still had 45 seconds to go and each rep was a celebration," Moore said. "To hear and feel people's positive energy during a set really provides the support and confidence to reach my best I have on that day." 

For the future, Moore hopes to be able to compete with the 20kg bells, and possibly try out some marathon events.

"I want to be a support for fellow Kettlebell lifters in their journey to set goals and train to reach those goals. Crazy Monkey was an exceptional meet for everyone, there were first time lifters, lifters making a comeback, lifters trying new events and many reaching CMS. It was a friendly and supportive environment and I am grateful to be a part of it," Moore said.

Transformation Tuesday: Longtime SKC Member Hits Big Numbers at Competition

When Patchen Noelke joined Seattle Kettlebell Club 3 years ago, his original goal was to lose weight and get in shape. However, Noelke went above and beyond his original goals, and on June 30th at the Crazy Monkey USA Kettlebell Sport Championship he beat the American Record for 20 kg 10-minute long cycle (105 kg weight class) with 102 reps (the previous record was 87 reps). 

"My favorite part of competing is the crowd. All your team members and kettle family from other clubs out there cheering you on," Noelke said. "I had a plan on how I wanted to get to 100 reps and it's a big mental challenge. I feel such a big responsibility to not let my coach, my team, my kettle-friends down and then I'm always SHOCKED how the whole crowd gets behind you during the struggle and you just know you can do anything at that point. It's feels good to deliver for that group of folks."

Patchen greets his judge after setting a record this spring at the Vancouver Open.

Only a few months ago, Noelke broke the American record for 16 kg 10-minute long cycle (105 kg weight class) with 116 reps.  He hopes that at his next competition he'll be lifting the 24s.

"Shout out to KB Fit Brit for keeping and tracking all the records. I hope it motivates people to lift more!" Noelke said.

Motivation Monday: SKC Member Breaks American Record

Recently, Ruben Galvan broke an American kettlebell sport record in biathlon at the Crazy Monkey USA Kettlebell Sport Championship. At the same competition, Galvan also achieved his first CMS (Candidate for Master of Sport) which is not too bad for someone who was training with 8 kg weights when he first gave kettlebells a swing just over 3 years ago. 

“After they said that I hit a US record, I was like ‘Oh my goodness. That’s not even me, who is that?”’ Galvan said. “I’m the worst at self-doubt, so I walked in there not knowing how I was going to do and shoot for as many reps as I could get. I was assuming I was going to do good, but I didn’t know I was going to do this good.” 

Photo Credit: Truong Nguyen

During his set at the competition, Galvan recalls the encouragement from the crowd as they chanted his name in celebration. 

“I had to shake away all my anxiety, fear, and doubt as soon as I started lifting,” Galvan said. “I had to clear my head of everything, and I had to make it happen.” 

Galvan says that his diet has improved greatly over the past few years but leading up to this competition, he made a huge effort to cut down on beer, pasta, bread, and sugar, dropping not only 15lbs, but also moving down a weight class for the competition. 

Galvan first started showing interest in kettlebells when he was working out at Ridge Fitness, where SKC was holding classes prior to opening their own gym. 

I ride bikes more. I’m starting to run and row more. It gives me more energy at work, too. If you want to think of it in a mental way, it lowers my stress.”  Photo Credit: Matt Burns

“I’ve tried a bunch of CrossFit gyms. I’ve done LA Fitness, 24 Hour fitness, and I just never got in the kind of shape I am now,” Galvan said. “The heavy weight lifting mixed with pure cardio and a good diet really helped turn around my physique.”

Straight from the get go, Galvan appreciated SKC's professional environment, lack of gymtimidation, and how encouraging all the coaches were. In fact, he was so encouraged that it didn’t take him long to get the urge to compete.

“Everybody’s super helpful and supportive unlike what you get at any other gym,” Galvan said. “Keep an open mind. That’s what I did. When I first started with the 16’s [kg kettlebells], I thought there was no freakin way I could go to 20’s.” 

Photo Credit: Matt Burns

Like many members at SKC, Galvan notes that many of his friends and family misconceive what kind of workout he’s doing.

“They think it’s heavy weight lifting training, and it’s not. It’s a whole body workout mixed with heavier weights, but only if you choose to use heavy weights,” Galvan said. 

Galvan’s future kettle-goal is to start competing with the 28 kg and 32 kg bells, but his dream is to rival Coach Misha and be able to snatch the 40 kg. 

“I want a shirt that says Misha Jr,” Galvan jokes.

-Camille Borodey