Dooley Noted: 5/8/2017
This past weekend, i was certified as a Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) Level 2 instructor.
It was so much fun – but something was missing.
I am not a born athlete.
Things just don’t click right away.
So, I found myself at each kettlebell certification, getting picked to troubleshoot in front of the class.
I also found myself failing a requirement at each cert, and having to submit a video within 3 months to get my certification.
This would frustrate me to a major point of motivation, to learn from my failures and turn them into strengths.
At my level 1 RKC, I failed the snatch test. One was to complete 100 snatches in 5 minutes, and I failed by dropping the kettlebell at rep 51.
At my level 2 StrongFirst certification, I failed the bodyweight press of 22 kilo.
At my StrongFirst Barbell certification, I failed my military press.
Instead of crying in my Cheerios, I ponied up.
I became the happiest person to ever finish a snatch test at any cert.
I currently press the 22 kilo for 6 reps for sets on each side now, consistently and with no hesitation.
And I passed the military press as well and gravitated to the barbell to help me build strength and wedging.
At an RKC I that I assisted, I was asked to teach the press – something that used to trouble me so much.
This is precisely why failure needs to be redefined in what it means to you.
I left each of those certs with a massive determination, and I came out stronger because of the failure.
While I didn’t fail any parts of my cert this weekend, a weird part of me wished I would have.
Isn’t it funny how perceptions can change in a few years?
Prepare. Know yourself.
And if you fail, read that as an enormous opportunity to get to know yourself even better.
As always, it’s your call.
-Dr. Kathy Dooley