Student Stories
Gretchen Falck has always made physical fitness an important aspect of her life. She participated in track & field athletics in high school and worked as a student athletic trainer while receiving her degree in Exercise Studies from St. Olaf College. She continued her education by earning a Masters of Art in Teaching from the University of St Thomas. She taught high school Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and coached both track & field and soccer for many years.
Since her years as a college athlete, Gretchen has been seeking ways to keep herself physically active.
"I was a sprinter, so running any distance held little appeal for me. I've tried joining gyms, attending various classes, and have purchased home exercise equipment; none of it held my interest for long. About a year ago, I read an article about kettlebells and was intrigued."
"This past spring (2007), I heard about USAKettlebells on the radio and decided not to let it go this time. I contacted my sister to see if she had ever heard of kettlebells and would be interested in seeking out a class with me. My sister answered the phone and started telling me how stiff she felt from going to an exercise class the day before, I suspiciously asked, what class? Somehow I knew she would say "kettlebells"; this had to be more than a coincidence."
"I attended one of the classes with my sister and was hooked immediately. This is what I had been looking for. Within a few weeks of training I decided to join the Ron Morris Strength for Living Instructor's Certification Program and also share my new found passion with my husband and two children in Angel's Parent/Child classes."
"I feel better than I have in years. I am now physically and mentally stronger than I have ever been. I am getting a whole new form of education from Ron Morris. Strength For Living is not an exercise class, it is a philosophy, a way of life".
"By creating strength building cardio workouts that are efficient enough to be done in fifteen minutes or less (AND THAT ACTUALLY WORK), Ron has shown me that the goal of being physically fit is not an end in and of itself, it is the means by which we all live stronger, healthier lives."
"This is something I can keep doing for the rest of my life. You can too!"
Gretchen Falck
Instructor and Owner of FORZA! in Northfield
I am 43 years old and a stay at home mom with 2 young children. I started training with Ron Morris 3 1/2 months ago. During this short period of time, I have more than doubled my strength, have more confidence and have changed my thoughts and attitudes about myself.
I live in a world of routine and responsibility, continually doing things for others. Ron has a unique ability to create incredible diversity in the challenging/workouts and has helped me realize I've got to take care of ME.
I no longer see limitations in myself and am having the time of my life!
Joy Swanson
Hanzo Student
Kettlebells has strengthened my spirit, in addition to my physical core.
When I about to call a plumber last week, it occurred to me that I might be able to fix the leaky shower myself. I went on-line and found information about how to remove the cartridge from the faucet. I shut off the water main, took out the old pieces, went to the hardware store, installed the new pieces, and turned the water main back on. Presto!
There were a few moments when I thought about quitting, because the wrench was in such a difficult angle and nothing was moving, but I imagined being in class with Ron. I kept at it and bingo, the wrench moved a little and then a little more. I did not let myself become discouraged to the point of giving up.
As Ron said, "Don't say things are too hard for you, say that they are a challenge for you."
Yours, Twyla
Artistic Director, Global Site Performance
As a guy in his 60's, I have to admit that I've been stronger and had greater aerobic capacity in my life than I do now. As a result of kettlebells and training with Ron Morris, I have to confess that I am approaching the best condition of my life. That is not a statement based on belief or thought, but one based on direct experience.
Typically as one gets older, because of inactivity, injuries, loss of range of motion, etc, we have reduced physical capacity. As a result of kettlebells and training with Ron Morris, however, I find my physical capacity increasing rather than decreasing. Week by week I see myself and others doing things that we had not been able to do before and had not thought we could do. What a thrill!
I think that we are all animals before we are human beings. In fact, my sense is that if I can treat myself like a dog, I have my best chance of being on my best behavior! What I mean by that is when I can work my body and be fully present with it, I most enjoy myself and function at my highest level. If I can continue to do the things that give me joy, than age is just not a factor. Ron's Hanzo philosophy feels right based on my own experience because his training forces one to be immediately and fully committed in the movement and the moment.
When it comes to motivation, it's hard to find a better horse to ride than one of necessity. If there is a better motivator, though, it has to be play. Training with Ron is like being a kid again and getting to go to gym class, i.e., you have no idea what you are going to do on any given day, but you just know that you are going to be able to abandon yourself to your body.
Is Ron Morris going to bottle his training as the fountain of youth? I don't know, but I do know if someone had told me that the 60's could feel this good, I just would not have been able to believe them.
Ron Wetzell
Ron Morris' Hanzo Philosophy is for anyone ready to make a change in his or her life. Throw the pebble into the water and release the possibility of change. Life gets so stagnate and routine that we forget to enjoy it. What is our purpose? Who are we? Has anyone ever asked you, "What do you want?", or for that matter, have you asked yourself, "What do I want?" Try and answer that question; I bet you can't.
You try to imagine what you think you can have and not what you really want deep down. Be honest! This concept, as simple as it seems, is very difficult. Learn how to spend time getting to know yourself and your own passions. It's easy to look at someone else and help them, but what about the ultimate way to help yourself. Burn through insecurities and create an awareness of your habitual thoughts and change them. Learn through the physical how to break open your emotions and create freedom in your life: freedom from an ego driven life, freedom from what you think you are or should be, and freedom from what you have been told that you are.
Learn how to follow and trust your instincts to be on your path of truth. You will find that things are not what they seem and that letting go of anything familiar is the key- letting go of attachment to self, others, and things.
This may sound a bit strange, but maybe not. Get out of your own way and listen to your body; it knows the truth, it has just been buried under layers and layers of crap created since you were born.
Angel Obert
Owner of Angel's ACME Body Shop and Instructor
I started my training with Strength for Living and the Hanzo philosophy in November of 2007 with Instructor, Angel Obert.
I just wanted to take a moment to describe my experience.
When I first met Angel, I knew what kettlebells were but I didn't know much about them and from what I read they looked cool - I wanted to try it. However, I was not ready to commit just yet- I liked thinking about them, but using them was another story, it was fear.
Several weeks passed and I called the Ron Morris Strength for Living Center and got a hold of Angel, she recommended I come to the school and check it out. After experiencing the school and meeting the crew, Angel and I made arraignments for private lessons. I knew enough to know that this training was not like a gym or anything else I could reference. You could really do some damage to your body if you did not have the proper training. This is not something to learn from a book or DVD; you need an experienced instructor.
That's where I really lucked out! Angel knows precisely what she is doing and she is an expert instructor. Angel led me through the very basic so I was able to build a foundation to work with. From there, we moved into more advanced movements and worked on daily routines I could practice; my progression was quick and the results immediate.
We also talked in depth about diet and the Hanzo philosophy, I really took to this and it seemed to be a natural flow. After about 30 days of work, I found myself about 25 pounds lighter, way stronger and happy (key word: HAPPY). After my private training Angel recommended that I join in on Saturday group classes with Ron, wow, was I up for an experience.
The initial training that I had with Angel prepared me for the growth and process of self-learning with Ron's training. This is the ultimate tool for finding my true path and gaining a real trust in myself to let go of my self-set limitations and fears. I continue my education twice a week and recommend it to anyone with a desire to change his or her life.
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge Angel and Ron!
John Peterson
Hanzo Student