Interesting article from the Associated Press on the value of exercise for heart patients.
"Studies have shown heart patients benefit from exercise, and some have even shown it works better than surgical procedures. At a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology on Sunday, several experts said doctors should focus more on persuading their patients to exercise rather than simply doing angioplasties."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Take the I out of Team
UFC 101 was a whirlwind of activity for me. Although Kenny Florian was fighting, I went to UFC 101 as a spectator, not as his coach. I had resigned as Kenny’s strength and conditioning coach a few months earlier. However, ending that relationship didn’t stop me from wanting Kenny to win badly!
Kenny hired me after his loss to Sean Sherk in October 2006. Kenny realized that he needed to improve his strength and conditioning if he was going to get another title shot. We worked very closely for the next two and half years as he pealed off 6 straight victories, which resulted in him once again earning a title shot, this time against BJ Penn.
Unfortunately, he would have to wait 9 months for the opportunity. After visiting Georges St-Pierre's training camp, Kenny decided to add on John Chaimberg, a strength and conditioning coach from Canada to the KenFlo team. Unfortunately, it was clearly evident from the beginning that John wanted my spot. Personally and professionally I am all about learning new ideas and working with other people. That being said, when you reach out (phone calls, emails) to someone on numerous occasions and get no response, it’s disturbing.
If long distance coaching is going to work, than you must have a colleague to work with that you can trust and communicate with on a daily basis. With John devising the programs from Canada, I was not able to provide meaningful inputs based on my history with Kenny and how he was performing under John's training programs. Eventually, I had no choice, but to resign as Kenny’s strength and conditioning coach.
While I am disappointed that Kenny wasn’t able to win his fight against BJ, I am very proud about the performance of a current client, Kurt Pellegrino, who fought and won earlier that evening on the main card.
With Kurt, I have a colleague I work directly with in New Jersey. Her name is Sharon Wentworth and she is a true professional. Although fairly new to the sport, she is willing to learn from me and I from her. Sharon had interned with Martin Rooney, who I respect greatly.
When I came on board last summer to train Kurt, he was in a difficult place. He had moved back to NJ, to open a school, and was living with his in-laws. He has just signed on for a tough fight. Kurt put his faith in me to design a program and Sharon to serve as his day-to-day coach. He was coming up against Thiago Tavares, a conditioning machine. Kurt not only won the fight, it was fight of the night, which provided a huge bonus that enabled him to buy a house for his family in NJ.
Kurt is now on a three fight win streak. The reason it works is simple - it's about the TEAM. There are No egos between Sharon and myself or the other coaches. We focus on the goal, “help the athlete win.” This mantra is what professional coaching is about.
Kurt once told a story about the great Genzo Gracie. Kurt was a blue belt at his academy and witnessed the Professor taping everybody in the room. He went up him and said, "professor that was great, I can't wait till I can do that." Genzo replied, "Kurt in life people are either a hammer or a nail, don't answer me now, but when you are awarded your black belt, you let me know which you want to be." When Kurt was awarded his black belt years later, he called the professor and said, "Professor, I know the answer, I want to be the nail!" Genzo asked, "Why?" Kurt replied, "because a nail makes everyone else look better and be better."
As coaches we are nails, we want our athletes to get shine. It takes a team to help them reach their goals.
Kenny hired me after his loss to Sean Sherk in October 2006. Kenny realized that he needed to improve his strength and conditioning if he was going to get another title shot. We worked very closely for the next two and half years as he pealed off 6 straight victories, which resulted in him once again earning a title shot, this time against BJ Penn.
Unfortunately, he would have to wait 9 months for the opportunity. After visiting Georges St-Pierre's training camp, Kenny decided to add on John Chaimberg, a strength and conditioning coach from Canada to the KenFlo team. Unfortunately, it was clearly evident from the beginning that John wanted my spot. Personally and professionally I am all about learning new ideas and working with other people. That being said, when you reach out (phone calls, emails) to someone on numerous occasions and get no response, it’s disturbing.
If long distance coaching is going to work, than you must have a colleague to work with that you can trust and communicate with on a daily basis. With John devising the programs from Canada, I was not able to provide meaningful inputs based on my history with Kenny and how he was performing under John's training programs. Eventually, I had no choice, but to resign as Kenny’s strength and conditioning coach.
While I am disappointed that Kenny wasn’t able to win his fight against BJ, I am very proud about the performance of a current client, Kurt Pellegrino, who fought and won earlier that evening on the main card.
With Kurt, I have a colleague I work directly with in New Jersey. Her name is Sharon Wentworth and she is a true professional. Although fairly new to the sport, she is willing to learn from me and I from her. Sharon had interned with Martin Rooney, who I respect greatly.
When I came on board last summer to train Kurt, he was in a difficult place. He had moved back to NJ, to open a school, and was living with his in-laws. He has just signed on for a tough fight. Kurt put his faith in me to design a program and Sharon to serve as his day-to-day coach. He was coming up against Thiago Tavares, a conditioning machine. Kurt not only won the fight, it was fight of the night, which provided a huge bonus that enabled him to buy a house for his family in NJ.
Kurt is now on a three fight win streak. The reason it works is simple - it's about the TEAM. There are No egos between Sharon and myself or the other coaches. We focus on the goal, “help the athlete win.” This mantra is what professional coaching is about.
Kurt once told a story about the great Genzo Gracie. Kurt was a blue belt at his academy and witnessed the Professor taping everybody in the room. He went up him and said, "professor that was great, I can't wait till I can do that." Genzo replied, "Kurt in life people are either a hammer or a nail, don't answer me now, but when you are awarded your black belt, you let me know which you want to be." When Kurt was awarded his black belt years later, he called the professor and said, "Professor, I know the answer, I want to be the nail!" Genzo asked, "Why?" Kurt replied, "because a nail makes everyone else look better and be better."
As coaches we are nails, we want our athletes to get shine. It takes a team to help them reach their goals.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Ireland Fighters
Congratulations to Catherine Costigan and Dave McNamara. They won Gold Medals at the All Styles Kickboxing Association of Ireland and East Coast San Shou Challenge Tournaments. Their coach (center in picture) sent me the following email:
"We used the Burn with Kearns Explosive Power and Burn with Kearns Gas in the Tank DVDs for their conditioning program. In the San Shou alone Catherine was able to defeat a girl twenty pounds heavier and Dave stopped all three of his opponents by TKO.Using the weight cutting advice you gave me Dave was by far the biggest guy in the 75 kilo category.Since I started working with Kevin I haven't had a single fighter even look tired in a match. His conditioning program is the best!"
Dermot McGrath
Pankration Kickboxing Academy
Limerick Ireland
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
UFC Fan Expo
The UFC Fan Expo was a huge success! I want to thank my Kru, Mark Dellagrotte for inviting me out to share his booth. I was honored to meet and talk with some of my many fans. This was a huge high for me and gave me tons of drive to continue helping people. I will to take Burn with Kearns products and programs to new levels.
Special thanks to the Bruce Lee booth and their crew for helping me during the event. A big thank you goes out to my friends from Colorado - Carol and Conner Cardova for helping me set up the Burn with Kearns booth. I met and went to the fights with a new friend, Oliver Grunner, the action star! Thanks to everyone who gave me positive feedback on my articles and DVDs! I'm truly blessed to have all your support.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Back from Buffalo
Just finished a great 90 Day Burn with Kearns Fitness Challenge seminar at Master Khechen's school in Buffalo, New York. We had over 80 participants - 20 of them children. At the end of the seminar, a few kids even asked me to move up there. It's extremely encouraging to see people with so much energy. The day flew by for them and me. Special thanks to Master Khechen, Michelle Burnett, and all the staff at his school. Their hospitality is greatly appreciated.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Fighter Training Updates
I shot down to NJ today to train Kurt Pellegrino. He's getting ready for UFC 101 on August 8th and is right on track! My counterpart, Sharon Wentworth, helps me while I"m not there. She has been a huge asset for me and Kurt.
I played a little trick on Kurt, for his new ''Gas in the Tank" program. I told him on the drive to the gym it would be a walk through. I fibbed:) I wanted to test him and see where he was at. As a coach we need to use this tactic once and while to keep athletes on their toes. He did great and he will be ready for Josh Neer. Another MMA fighter client Jorge Gurgel, fights on Friday's Strikeforce card. He was out training with me for 3 weeks. Jorge is ready to put the past in the past. Kenny is lookin good as always as we approach his title shot at 101! Until next time stay strong, stay fit and stay focused.
I played a little trick on Kurt, for his new ''Gas in the Tank" program. I told him on the drive to the gym it would be a walk through. I fibbed:) I wanted to test him and see where he was at. As a coach we need to use this tactic once and while to keep athletes on their toes. He did great and he will be ready for Josh Neer. Another MMA fighter client Jorge Gurgel, fights on Friday's Strikeforce card. He was out training with me for 3 weeks. Jorge is ready to put the past in the past. Kenny is lookin good as always as we approach his title shot at 101! Until next time stay strong, stay fit and stay focused.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fit for Life in Maryland
I just came back from another awesome weekend at Tristar Martial Arts. We had close to 100 people participate in the 90 Day Burn with Kearns. Fit for Life Challenge. We launched a kids version and had 20 children who had a blast exercising with the medicine balls and bands. The kids didn't want to stop! That made us all smile from ear to ear. Children are the key to combating the obesity problem in this world. We need to start them early and continue the process daily. Kudos to Keith, Debbie Thompson and the staff at Tristar Martial Arts in MD. This is the 5th seminar I have performed there and I feel honored to be their strength and conditioning coach.
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