Inaugural Starting Strength Coaches Association Conference

[Tom Campitelli]

I've mentioned it elsewhere and I admit to being biased, but we just had an excellent weekend at the Wichita Falls Athletic Club. This was the first meeting of the Starting Strength Coaches Association and if you are a Starting Strength Coach and were not there, you have my sympathies.

Friday night got off on the right foot with a few words from Rip, followed by Matt Reynolds discussing how to use the prowler for conditioning. We then moved on to a practical session taught by Rip on the split snatch and an open gym workout. The front room at WFAC was full as the coaches were squatting, pressing, and pulling while Rip and Kirk Karwoski provided coaching. Ever want to have the greatest squatter in the world watch you lift and provide feedback? Well, that's what was happening on Friday night. Reynolds deadlifted 700 pounds for a double, which was one of many impressive lifts and PRs. It was a great environment where a bunch of folks that know the lifts well got to work out together. That kind of thing doesn't happen often.

Saturday was packed with information. Rip led things off again with a keynote on where we are as an organization and a challenge to chart the course ahead. Andy Baker, whose coaching chops are already well established, provided insights about running a successful business as a black iron gym. Baker delivered the goods regarding business models, best practices for operating a gym, and avoiding pitfalls. I gave a brief presentation on the basic structure of running a Starting Strength Camp, which I really think tied the morning together, not unlike how The Dude’s rug tied his room together. After lunch, it was time to train again. Rip went over the finer points of the press as outlined in the 3rd Edition of Starting Strength. Despite the fact that I coach this lift at the seminars, I had things to clean up in my own press. Having good coaching helps. There is no way around it. Also, Gillian Ward pressed a little better than bodyweight. Lots of other big presses went up with Reynolds leading the charge again with either 275 or 295. I am sure he will correct me. Next up was our celebrity guest, Mr. Kirk Karwoski. If you are wondering if Kirk is still intense, I can assure you that, yes, he certainly is. It became very clear early in Kirk’s talk why he rose to dominate the sport of powerlifting. The man was dedicated to his goals like no one else and was single-minded in his approach to training, eating, and recovering. It is not every day you get to interact with someone who was the best in the world at an athletic endeavor. Dr. Jonathan Sullivan capped the evening off with a masterfully crafted talk on the importance of barbell training to improve medical outcomes as well as quality of life. There will be video forthcoming from his presentation, so you can enjoy it, too. It was really damn good. After all the lifting and learning, it was time to eat and drink. So we did.

Sunday provided more opportunities for discussion as the members provided ideas and suggestions on how to grow the Coaches Association and direct its efforts. Rip talked briefly about how to equip a gym to provide a proper training environment without breaking the budget. Dr. Stef Bradford gave a fascinating talk on how we perceive movement and how training improves our abilities to see and coach lifters. Rip and Sully brought us up to lunch with a discussion of common injuries, how to treat them, and how to train through them. If you ever wanted to know what pin firing a horse was, this was the time to find out. After lunch, we began a round table discussion involving Rip, Sully, Karwoski, and Baker. It was a panel with a wealth of experience and insights into training, business, medicine, and life. Kirk filled us in on how Velveeta could be used in place of bread for peanut butter sandwiches and how a gallon of milk per day was a good start, but more milk was required early in his career. It was a fitting capstone to a great weekend.

When Rip and I were coming up with ideas for the event, we both suspected that it would be good, but the Coaches Association Meeting exceeded both of our expectations. Special thanks to all of our speakers that truly nailed their presentations with the kind of professionalism and depth of knowledge found nowhere else. Thank you to Rip and Stef whose work and cooperation made this possible. Lastly, thank you to all of the attendees whose enthusiasm and willingness to travel across the country made this such a success. It was a pleasure to interact, reconnect, and train with all of you. I am looking forward to next year.

[Tom Campitelli]

Group shot.

[Michele Knaub]

Tom, we'd be remiss in not congratulating you on your role in the conference. Your hard work definitely paid off; thank you.

[Jonathon Sullivan]

Indeed, Tom is stellar, not to mention a very cool dude. His efforts were clearly central to the success of the entire affair.

Such intelligence, energy and competency rarely go unpunished: Congratulations, Mr. Secretary.

[Alex Cibiri]

Indeed, Tom is stellar, not to mention a very cool dude. His efforts were clearly central to the success of the entire affair.

Such intelligence, energy and competency rarely go unpunished: Congratulations, Mr. Secretary.

Congratulations are indeed in order, Mr. Secretary. Also thanks to Rip, Stef, and all the presenters and attendees for an awesome weekend that exceeded my already high expectations. I look forward to this being an annual event!

[Michael Wolf]

I gave a brief presentation on the basic structure of running a Starting Strength Camp, which I really think tied the morning together, not unlike how The Dude’s rug tied his room together.

God damn, Tom, you're good with The Big Lebowski quotes. I need to catch up. Very slick way to weave that one in.

If you are wondering if Kirk is still intense, I can assure you that, yes, he certainly is. It became very clear early in Kirk’s talk why he rose to dominate the sport of powerlifting. The man was dedicated to his goals like no one else and was single-minded in his approach to training, eating, and recovering. It is not every day you get to interact with someone who was the best in the world at an athletic endeavor... Kirk filled us in on how Velveeta could be used in place of bread for peanut butter sandwiches and how a gallon of milk per day was a good start, but more milk was required early in his career. It was a fitting capstone to a great weekend.

I have told the four gallons of milk a day and velveeta-pb sandwiches story to everyone I have encountered since coming back. That's gold Jerry, gold!

When Rip and I were coming up with ideas for the event, we both suspected that it would be good, but the Coaches Association Meeting exceeded both of our expectations. Special thanks to all of our speakers that truly nailed their presentations with the kind of professionalism and depth of knowledge found nowhere else. Thank you to Rip and Stef whose work and cooperation made this possible. Lastly, thank you to all of the attendees whose enthusiasm and willingness to travel across the country made this such a success. It was a pleasure to interact, reconnect, and train with all of you. I am looking forward to next year.

It really was a fantastic event, and from everyone's comments, exceeded all of our expectations - which were high. Tom, you definitely get a gold star for this one. If this event gives us a glimpse into the future of what we as barbell coaches can accomplish, then the future is a bright one. To once more quote Secretary Tom in an off-topic text message to me yesterday:

I am wearing sunglasses to avoid being blinded by my future

[Tom Campitelli]

God damn, Tom, you're good with The Big Lebowski quotes. I need to catch up. Very slick way to weave that one in.

I pale in comparison Ryan Huseman, whose encyclopedic knowledge of Big Lebowski quotes and when they should be employed is second to none.

[Good Ryan]

I pale in comparison Ryan Huseman, whose encyclopedic knowledge of Big Lebowski quotes and when they should be employed is second to none.

"Yea, well, atleast I'm housebroken, man."

Man I'm so bummed I missed out on this. It's not fair.

"Fair! WHO'S THE FUCKING NIHILIST HERE! WHAT ARE YOU, A BUNCH OF FUCKING CRYBABIES?"

[Tom Campitelli]

I rest my case.