Students Stories Page 2
I found myself at a physical/psychological crisis point. I was 56 years old, in severe lower back pain, bed-ridden, thirty pounds overweight, no energy, and for the first time in my life, feeling old and concerned about my mortality.
Today, I am pain free, vibrant, and stronger than I have ever felt, toned and thirty pounds lighter. Many of my friends and family tell me I look ten to fifteen years younger. A lifetime of sports injuries and pain due to accidents has disappeared and many chronic illnesses have healed.
What, you might ask, accounts for this miraculous transformation? While I can't give all the credit (but almost) to kettllebells, the ongoing practice of them has been the central foundation of my year of healing and transformation.
Thirteen months ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after a back x-ray wrongly showed a cracked L2 vertebrae. The doctor called for a bone density scan, suspecting osteoporosis and the diagnosis, to my horror it was confirmed. "I thought only women got osteoporosis", I told the doctor. Suddenly, I felt mortal, scared and old. The doctor prescribed drugs, painkillers, weight bearing exercises and rehabilitation of my injury. Through a combination of drugs, acupuncture, and massage my pain became manageable.
A month later, I began Qi Gong, an internal martial art that has many healing effects, especially to the bones and joints. My instructor, John DuCane, recommended I do Russian Kettlebells with instructor Ron Morris. I had never heard of either but trusted his strong recommendation over my previous inclination to join a gym and do machine weights. Ron started working with me individually as I was very cautious of re-injury to my back.
We had an immediate rapport as I sensed his genuine interest in my healing and me. He never saw me as old or injured. He saw my potential to be strong, healthy and vibrant and never once wavered from this view of me. For the past year I have not looked back on that aging Joe Bailey who I first presented to Ron Morris.
Within one week of Kettlebells all my back pain was gone. Gradually I gained muscle mass, strength, endurance, and most of all confidence. Within four months through Kettlebells and Ron's diet recommendations, I lost my potbelly and thirty pounds! My chronic round face became thin and youthful in appearance. I slept better and my youthful energy returned. Since that time I have continuously exceeded any expectations of my strength and abilities. With a minimal investment of time with Kettlebells and daily Qi Gong practice, plus a nutritious diet, I have a new lease on life.
Last month I was retested for osteoporosis with a bone density scan. My doctor couldn't believe the growth in my bones and their strength. He wrote on my test results, "Keep up the Kettlebells!" He normally only retests for osteoporosis after three years because bone growth is so slow, but with Kettlebells, Qi Gong and a combination of Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium I am nearing normality. I attribute this change and all the others to the remarkable simplicity and power of Kettlebells along with a commitment to my health.
I am grateful to Ron Morris for his fine instruction, but most of all for his sincere interest in my health and his belief in my unlimited potential-physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
Joseph Bailey, M.A., L.P.
Author of FEARPROOF Your Life
Psychological Consultant and Hanzo Student
Dear Ron:
I just wanted to take a moment of your time to express my sincere thanks to both you and your wonderful staff of instructors at USA Kettlebells in Minneapolis for your tremendous help and support. This past year has been an exciting year for me as I reach my one year birthday of being introduced to "Kettlebells" and your many "Strength For Living" exercises.
I can't help but remember the first time I passed into the school's doors and was surprised to see that about 90% of my classmates were women. I candidly questioned in my mind just how challenging the exercises were going to be. By the end of the first class I had found out first hand and actually got to be good friends with many of my classmates as they "carried" me to my car!
As you know, approximately four (4) years ago I had life saving cancer surgery at the Mayo Clinic during which my abdominal muscles were cut to remove all the lymph nodes from my chest. Both my confidence and spirit took a significant hit and I was looking for an exercise school that would enable me to come back into touch with my body and my spirit. Enter USA Kettlebells.
The school's philosophy of "building a strong core" got me back in touch with my body and injected a needed personal energy into my spirit by becoming friends with my classmates and all of the schools tremendous instructors. No two (2) classes are ever the same which keeps me pushing myself to try and get into better shape.
I no longer worry about my cancer checkups at the Mayo Clinic thanks to USA Kettlebells. Things are different now - NOW MY BODY IS MY ARMY.
Sincerely,
Elevator Bob (John Corbo)
Student
Hanzo On The Highway
One Sunday afternoon, in southeastern Minnesota, I was driving alone white-knuckled through a torrential rainstorm. I could barely see the road ahead. I heard a knocking sound coming from the top of my car. A passenger in a passing car motioned to me that my bike and bike rack were lifting up from the roof of the car. "Oh no!" I have a tendency to panic and freeze in a crisis, but I immediately thought "Hanzo". I pulled over to the shoulder of the road with cars and semi-trucks whizzing by. I determined that the bike was secure on the rack, but the rack itself had come loose from the car frame. I said to myself, "You know how this rack fastens and you are strong. You are ok! "Hanzo!" Kettlebell classes gave me the strength to calmly re-attach the rack to the car. My bike and I arrived home, safe and sound. That's "Strength for Living!""
Ann Bergstrom
Student