Dooley Noted: 12/27/2013
When I met Jason Kapnick back in late February, I had no idea the friend I was about to make.
A powerlifter and an amazing personal trainer, Jason said he aspired to be The Beast Tamer. This title goes to an SFG that can strict press, tactical pull-up, and pistol-squat a 48 kilo kettlebell.
Since Jason said “more people have walked the moon than accomplished this feat,” I knew we had some work to do.
It wasn’t the press or pull that threatened Jason. His powerlifting background afforded him incredible pushing and pulling strength.
The pistol-squat threatened to take his title.
Even with a childhood Z-cut surgery across his Achilles’ tendons, Jason struggled with ankle dorsiflexion (read: extension). This ankle movement is crucial in many movement patterns, and is mandatory during a pistol-squat.
Jason gave me the honor of assessing him, and we found an energy leak in his abdomen. It didn’t stop him from benching over 300 pounds or deadlifting over 600 pounds.
But it was preventing him from dorsiflexing. It was stealing the movement flow he needed for pistol squatting.
He did his assigned correctives more than 10 times a day. He trained hard and smart. He ate clean and slept well.
Six weeks later, he was a Beast Tamer.
A month later, this strong man had shoulder pain. He allowed me to restrict all his overhead movement until he had earned the right with solid shoulder mobility.
He obliged.
A few weeks ago, he competed in a powerlifting competition. He exceeded his numbers, blasting through his competition.
The even more fascinating part is that he had zero pain or discomfort.
He is the epitome of what culminates when you marry mobility, stability, and strength.
He was not overpowered by ego to prevent some “weaker” lady from telling him what he needed.
He listened. He obliged. He blasted through his walls to reach new levels of pain-free strength.
When I asked to share his story, this humble yet powerful man told me this:
“Share to the extent to who sees a 635 beltless deadlift or Taming the Beast as impossible for himself. He should know that I have issues like everyone else.”
To learn more about the incredible Jason Kapnick, email him:
Jason.kapnick@gmail.com
He’s available for private training and small group kettlebell classes, as well as online coaching and programming.
Check out Jason’s lifting domination here: