Hanzo Continued...
All right, it goes like this!
After studying with John about 6 months he tells me about "Pavel", a business associate and friend that John publishes books for. He also hosts Pavel's boot camps for hard core military, pro athletes, law enforcement, etc... He thought it would be a nice challenge for me. Now, your average Qigong goers are pretty passive, (physically speaking); I was 190lbs, tattooed, muscular, and past passive. Sign me up! The cost, $2000, I didn't have it, but John cut me some slack and I was off.
I was nervous. All the participants were serious; especially Pavel. This is what I craved, people who cared about outcome. In the present day, Pavel, a true original with a true passion, has become very important in my life as a friend and teacher.
I stuck out like a guy who, well, looked like me. I felt like I was at an over-achieving jock convention. I didn't know what to make of all of them and they sure as hell couldn't figure out what planet I came from. The lesson learned was that it's what you do and not what you look like that matters at the end of 3 1/2 days. As it would turn out, only 1/3 of the 50 participants would make it and "Biker Boy" (me) was one of them.
I remember being amazed at the talent that was not making the grade. A guy from Australia was sent home without a certification and Pavel, speaking from compassion, said, "Hey man, that's the way it goes." I thought to myself, "how cool", they really stuck to what was true and real no matter what.
Important Note
Two things stood out aside from that. First, I was the only chopper riding, tattooed, 45-year-old guy who had no clue what a kettlebell was, let alone the subculture that surrounded it. Second, there were only 4 women (this awareness would prove to be prophetic), and the rest were pros, semi pros, SWAT, firefighters and military. I had two weeks of prep time before camp, which came in the form of a book by Pavel and one 16kg kettlebell. Again, another learning point I never thought about, quitting or failing, NO WAY! The Hanzo monster continues to build.
Hanzo Taking Shape
Excited by my successes at boot camp, my new path was presenting itself with Qigong and kettlebells, so I found myself an abandoned dance school/church (complete with a dunking pool for a baptismal); I was off to the races.
One month later, John DuCane introduced me to Joe and Michael Bailey, fresh clients. The faith they had in what was lingering under all my tattoos and swagger along with the accomplishments they made with me, Joe and Michael would turn into bigger proponents of USA Kettlebells. Now, let's keep in mind that Joe is related to everyone in the south end of Minnesota and Wisconsin (instant audience).
I was dedicated to my passion and that's what led to the dots that created my success.
Women and regular folks became my crew and loyal students because I had a belief in what I was teaching; Empowering the people to be physically equal and changing what they thought of as physical fitness and being in shape. Through my school we busted the hell out of the myth called "limitations".
The more they believed, the more they achieved because I kept showing each person that they had no limits. Testimonials
Let's Back Up
After six months training myself in kettlebells, I went to Vegas for a first ever kettlebell convention. I competed in the Secret Service Test; snatches for 10 minutes straight with a 24kg, no stopping and no resting. 16 started and 4 finished. I was 4th, it was brutal, but again, a test of overall desire to just accomplish for no reason. That's physically fit folks! The ability to do what you want whenever you want for no particular reason.
Back to USAKB
Washington Avenue in Minneapolis (now with 30-40 students), I took my class through the city creating mayhem; it became legendary. Just ask the cops. Did I mention I crashed a full sized missal into my building, I felt it made a nice statement about the school and myself.
2 Years Down the Road
I'm writing articles for John and Pavel, I am recognized as a National Instructor, and at the time, creating seminars for Community Centers and hospitals.
Hanzo Virus in Full Incubation!
Enter the next link in the Hanzo chain (Block #3) Angel, a highly motivated single mom, firefighter, EMT, and Inspector; a woman determined to help her fellow firefighters become physically capable and also trying to bring positive education to the community she served. A meeting for lunch and a whole new chapter begins.
After Angel became a student and studied with me, she experienced the real beauty in my philosophy to transform the most jaded firefighter or housewife at the local community center. For the following 6 months we would hit every firehouse that would have us. I would write my first book, Tactical Kettlebells For Firefighters, and Angel would also become a certified SFL Instructor, of which there are only 6.
We created a network of seminars and community outreach programs. With our collaboration we have helped effect real and lasting change in the fire departments all around Minnesota. Our work that benefited the food shelves has brought us recognition for raising more donations than any other group. True Hanzo at work; Angel is now teaching her own SFL Hanzo parent/child classes, the first of its kind.
From there we moved to bringing Hanzo to women's athletics at the University of Minnesota. The Ron Morris Hanzo Award? Believe it!
With the assistance from Angel and Camille, we took 27 girls and helped them become a real team. They had their first winning season and have a team Hanzo spirit that's unstoppable.
Going Deeper
Well, my self-education continues; deeper study of Zen and Tai Chi, constant exploration of the physical with kettlebells and with my body's flexibility. Cross blending everything to help people become what they envision in their daydreams. Everything non-essential is stripped away and only the most powerful physical techniques remain, as well as mental.
Present Day (Fall 2007)
I begin tackling my greater challenge with Hanzo philosophy on the Lakota Reservations. I was invited to help with the rampant diabetes problem on the reservations, along with other pressing health problems faced by their children. An impossible feat, so naturally you will find us there. We back down from nothing.
Ron Morris Strength For Living Center
And as if that weren't enough... My new Strength For Living Center (Building Block #4), in Stillwater opens on December 3, 2007 and I am at the finishing stages of my second book, Hanzo- The Ultimate Self Help: Mind, Body and Spirit.
Stay tuned kids!
Ron Morris
"Elvis has left the building"