That was the saying on a shirt I read over the weekend at my Crossfit Level 1 Seminar, and it’s been stuck in my head since.
I’ve been mulling over the idea of getting Level 1 Certified in Crossfit for an entire year. I knew back when I started crossfit that it would be something I would do for a long time, and it more than perfectly fit in with what I was getting my degree in at school. I didn’t know how I would fit it into a career path, but the idea of furthering my education about these ‘functional movements’ was always in the back of my mind.
The idea was put on the back burner for a while as I came home, settled into a new routine, and continued to build strength and confidence at crossfit. Then a few months back the opportunity to attend a Level 1 seminar aligned perfectly and I bit the pricey bullet and signed up.
This past weekend I attended the seminar at a crossfit close by to my house, and I learned more about movement and the foundations of the sport than I ever could have imagined. And the coolest part was that I learned it from some of the top athletes and coaches in the world.
The most valuable part for me was when we broke out into small groups to work on technique of the 9 foundational movements. We spent a huge amount of time with just pvc pipes and these knowledgeable coaches helping us perfect human movement. It was exhausting.
When you actually take the time to think about…. the width of your stance, engaging your posterior chain muscles, sending your butt back first, ripping the ground apart with your feet, keeping your weight back, constantly pressing your knees as far out as possible, maintaining your lumbar curve, butt back further, knees tracking the toes, chest up, arms up, head neutral, keeping the S curve in your back, knees apart more….. it becomes the most exhausting air squat you’ve ever done. I won’t even talk about the snatch.
Human mechanics fascinate me. Good thing, because my student loans keep reminding me I actually have a degree in something I’m interested in. My next step is studying for my CSCS exam… Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. I took a course in college geared toward this exam and have studied the entire book before, so hopefully my past knowledge will find me once again. And although I swore the day would never come, after almost a year off from furthering my education it has felt good to get back into the role of a student.
Striving to perfect human movement.
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Are you currently furthering your education in anything? What topics fascinate you?
Sounds like a great learning experience! More I read about crossfit the more likely it is you will see me posting about it soon…I am glad to see there are more and more motivated individuals getting certified out there!
Congratulations – that’s no easy feat! I’m excited to see all these new achievements for you — what was your degree in, by the way? I missed that somewhere in the blog maybe?
thankyou, and exercise and movement science.
Congratulations!! My Level 1 Seminar is two weeks from now and I’m SO nervous! So excited for you and can’t wait to learn and read more from you!
Congratulations!
I got my degree in business administration, out of sheer desperation after being an english major for most of my time at college. I kind of regret it, but I don’t dwell on it because I wasn’t interested in the things I’m interested now until literally my last semester in college – where I spent most of my time learning about paleo and fitness than I did doing my coursework!
I’ve been out of college now for almost three years, and the bug has hit again to pursue more education, but now in stuff I care about. “Exercise and movement science” is oddly enough exactly what I WISH I had studied in retrospect, but again, no use crying over spilled milk.
My issue is now trying to figure out how to go about this, and go to grad school or find a program I can do while still working full time or close to it.
It’s great you’ve found a passion though, that’s really awesome.
This is so great, congrats on taking the seminar. Your description sounds like what it’s like to stand at a barre and remember, “Tailbone under, chest up, legs turned out, stomach in…” The only real difference is that Crossfit movements (as you say) are perfecting human movement, and ballet is . . . not. I guess it’s perfection in a way, and it’s certainly beautiful, but it’s not the way a body is made to move.
Congratulations! You described the seminar perfectly. How could something so simple be so exhausting and complicated when broken down?! I felt like I learned so much that weekend and fortunately I am finally able to put it to use. As of today, I started training at the box here in my college town and I will work three classes on two days a week. I am so excited and tonight (my first night as a trainer) during mid-WOD as I was encouraging athletes to push through, I stood there and realized this is what I love. Crossfit has made me a better person in every aspect. Do you plan to coach anywhere?
I have some plans in the works hopefully I can share about it soon
Congrats on coaching, helping people better their lives…thats really what its all about.
Well, I am kinda a fitness nerd. So much that I recently ended up with a PhD in exercise physiology and now teach for my job. So this whole year is one giant education as I prepare for lectures daily. And FYI, probably 1/2 of what your professors teach you they learned the night before, depending on the class….
But recently clean eating and cross fit has piqued my interest and Im trying my hand at this whole blogging situation. And its SO FUN. Ok, so Ive only been to cross fit once (yesterday) but Im already hooked. But I feel like clean eating is a daily adventure.
Glad you enjoyed your seminar!
good for you, I really admire educators so much. And happy you loved your first taste of crossfit
I’m currently doing a Masters in Communication and learning all about social engagement and community participation through the arts and culture under a sustainability framework! It’s been awesome. Woot to furthering education and learning! Sounds like you had a great time.
That sounds like it’s perfect for you!
I’ve been thinking about getting some type of certification for health coaching, because I feel like that’s where my passion is!
Hi Katie….I just recently started reading your blog on a daily basis and I must say I am HIGHLY impressed! I’m happy to see that your furthering your education and getting your CSCS, not just relying on a crossfit level 1 cert. What made you pursue the CSCS?
I just found your blog through a search for “Paleo Buffalo Chicken Dip”. I just pinned TONS of your Paleo recipes. Can’t wait to try!!!!
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