Today is July 4th 2009.  Independence Day.  The day the Founding Fathers of our country banded together to sign the Declaration of Independence which put our nation on the map.

Independence (as defined by Dictionary.com)

1.
The state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence;
exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self-subsistence or
maintenance; direction of one’s own affairs without interference.

What does “Independence” mean to you?

• Avoiding a job you dislike?
• Hiring yard work done for you?
• Making it to your kid’s events (games, dance, recitals)?
• Coaching your kids?
• Taking trips wherever and whenever you want?
• Spending every weekend on the lake, at the cabin, on the ocean, anything?
• Hiring a cleaning lady?
• Waking up to no alarm?
• and I am sure there are 11,763+ and more meanings.

Today, I am going to talk about “independence” of the body you face in the mirror every morning.

• Do you like what you see every morning?
• Do you wish you looked different?
• Do you currently fit in your favorite pair of jeans?
• Do you have unlimited energy?
• Are you lying to yourself that you can do it on your own?

When you wait, you lose.

Today July 4th 2009.  You have a choice.  You choose.  Will this be your “Declaration of Independence” from the all of the stupidity permeating the fitness and fat loss industry?

Here’s your answer…

Don’t take my word for it.  Click on the banner above and read what my clients are saying about RAD Boot Camp.

Crank it!
B-Rad

P.S. Monday July 13th  7:00pm I will be doing a Accelerated Fat Loss Seminar at Kinetic Edge in Woodbury, MN.  Be there.

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I have been working ring muscle ups since early February.  These vids are from 2 weeks ago.  I am now getting consecutive reps.  Here’s the vids.

2 consecutive ring muscle ups

5 minutes later … 3 consecutive ring muscle ups

By the way, I use AND endorse Elite Rings.

Click Here to Buy Elite Rings

Take away…

* I train alone all of the time.  When I go for PRs, it is best to have someone in the room who is pushing the envelope in their own training (in my case, Adam T. Glass) for 2 reasons.  1) that person challenges me to do my best.  2) fear of public embarrassment.  In a positive way.  It’s best to fall short trying, but it still sucks to screw up in front of your buddies.

*I’ve got some refinement to do on my muscle up technique.  I will be able to do 10 consecutive by the end of the year.  Fo Sho.

Click Here to Buy Elite Rings

Crank it!
B-Rad

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Today’s Woodbury RAD Boot Camp Fat Loss Transformation spotlight is on Amy Jurrens.  Amy lives 4 hours away in Iowa but does online training with me and has done so now for two years.  She’s has gotten killer results and in her own words has become a “hot mom.”  Props to Amy for chiseling away the fat and becoming a Russian Kettlebell Instructor (RKC) in the process.

Amy Jurrens Weight Loss Before and AFTER

Amy’s QUICK Stats

Body Fat LOST -11%

Inches LOST -13.5 inches

Weight LOST -23lbs+

Pant Sizes LOST Size 14 to a size 8

Here’s what Amy has to say about classes at RAD Boot Camp…

Discover your potential…

“I started working with Brad and RAD Boot Camp in January 2007, …he allows me to make choices and then be held accountable for the outcome – good or bad. Case in point: nutrition. I did not want to change my eating habits. Brad let me pay the consequences of that decision. When I was ready to change, he told me straight out what I NEEDED to hear, but didn’t necessarily WANT to hear. In other words, he gave me a good, swift, verbal kick in the hind end. No sugar coating – just the truth.

Yes, I’ve lost weight and body fat through my training with Brad. Yes, I am in the best shape I have probably ever been in. (I’m a 36 year old mother of two and a lifelong athlete.) Yes, I love the RAD Boot Camp workouts Brad puts together.

BUT…… The reason I recommend Brad so highly is because he is a true teacher. A true teacher is someone who helps you discover skills and knowledge you possess but just don’t know how to tap into. A true teacher prepares you for the time when the teacher is not around to guide you. A true teacher sees the potential in you and leads you to see it too. A true teacher doesn’t give you the answers; he asks the questions and makes you find the answers. Brad is true teacher.

If you’re ready to find the person you really are, contact Brad TODAY!!!!”

Amy Jurrens- George, IA
Age 37
Professor of English
Jurrens Family CEO

Amy in the HOT SEAT…

Brad:  Take me back a few years…where you were physically, mentally, etc…  Everything previous to RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge / Kettlebells?

Amy:  I am a mother of two – my first was born in 1998 and my second in 2001.  I had gained 20 pounds with each pregnancy, but had lost most of the weight through nursing.  In March 2003, my husband and I took a 10th wedding anniversary trip to Las Vegas.  I saw the photos of myself after the trip and was stunned.  I had seen myself in the mirror, but I hadn’t really SEEN myself.  I had gained back all the weight I had lost.  I looked tired and well beyond my 32 years.  I looked like a frumpy mommy and I dressed like one.  I was in denial about how I really looked.  I wore skirts and dresses a lot so that I wouldn’t have to buy larger clothes.  I didn’t want to admit that my size 14 clothes were getting too small.

Brad:  What were your biggest frustrations about your body?

Amy: I was most frustrated with my saddlebags, my wings, and my sausage arms.

Brad:  What else have you tried?

Amy: In the summer of 2003 I started walking and running.  In the fall of 2003 I added weight training.  I had been an avid weight lifter in college, so it was fun for me to get back into that.  I lifted weights and ran on the treadmill or elliptical machine for two years.  I didn’t lose any weight.  In early 2006 I was introduced to kettlebells by a friend.  I started some sporadic kettlebell training along with my weight lifting and running.  I lost 10 pounds.  I was excited that something finally worked.

Brad:  How did you meet Brad / come into contact with RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge / Kettlebell Training?

Amy: I met Brad through the Dragon Door online forum

in late 2006.  He responded to a question I posted, and that started our correspondence, which led to me hiring Brad as my personal boot camp trainer in January 2007.

Brad:  Were you skeptical to try RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge / Kettlebell training?…
Why?

Amy: I was ready for the focus and challenges I would face.  I was ready to change my life for the better.  I had no idea just how much my life would actually change.

Brad:  Describe your first experience with RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge / Kettlebell training…

Amy: Brad took the time to get to know me.  He watched how my body moved, he assessed my fitness level, and he took my mental temperature.  He asked for my feedback on the training so he could make adjustments.

Brad:  What was different about RAD Boot Camp from anything else you’ve tried?

Amy: Brad learned about what makes me tick, how much I am willing to push myself, and how much pushing I need from him.  Because he did this, he has been able to give me the personalized training I need.

Brad:  Were there any myths busted for you at the boot camp?  (i.e. women getting bulky, men participating in an “step aerobics class”).

Amy: As I get stronger, I get leaner.  In the past few months, I haven’t dropped many pounds, but I’ve dropped several inches.  I am tall – 5’11” – and I lift heavy kettlebells (20 and 24 kg), but I do not have big, bulky muscles.  I recently completed the SSST – 200 kettlebell snatches with the 16 kg (35 lb) kettlebell in 10 minutes.  That requires a lot of strength and endurance.  RAD boot camp training has allowed me to develop my strength and endurance to levels I have never attained before, even as a high school and college athlete.

Brad:  What specific changes have you seen in your body/ confidence / attitude?  (clothes size change, inches lost, bodyfat lost, pounds lost)?

Amy: I’ve dropped over 11% bodyfat and 23+ pounds.  I went from a size 14 to a size 8.  I am not finished yet!  I’m still a work in progress, but the progress so far has been amazing.

Brad:  What’s your favorite body part now AFTER your transformation?  Why?

Amy: I love my abs because I can see each muscle.

Brad:  What is your #1 “secret” as to why you finally got the results you were looking for?

Amy: I made the commitment to myself.  I was tired of failing, so I chose to do something different.  What I had been doing obviously wasn’t working.  The physical changes I’ve gone through are merely the outward sign of changes in my thinking and lifestyle.  My life looks nothing like it did a few years ago.  I train differently; I think about myself differently; and I definitely eat differently.  All three had to click before I saw results.

Brad:  What would you tell someone like yourself who is on the fence about starting RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes?

Amy: Every day I am reminded of how grateful I am for Brad’s coaching.  He taught me about myself and helped me find the strength inside myself to reach my goals.

Brad:  Sum up RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes in 5 WORDS OR LESS…

Amy: challenging
life-changing
thought-provoking
fun
fulfilling

Killer RESULTS Amy!  Keep up the great work!

Crank it!
B-Rad

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Today’s Fat Loss Transformation spotlight is Joe Tebbe.  Joe started attending RAD Boot Camp at Kinetic Edge Fitness about 18 months ago.  After 3 months a family illness handcuffed him to the house.  He still kept up with the workouts.  I sent an email out about the PhD – PIE HOLE DIARY.  Joe took it serious, wrote EVERYTHING down that went in his Pie-hole and proceeded to lose 49+lbs in 6 MONTHS.  You read that right.  FORTY-NINE POUNDS in SIX MONTHS!

Joe is a pretty modest guy so I’ll do his boasting for him… THAT my friend is frickin’ AWESOME!

All I did was provide a slight kick in the ass.  JOE did the work.  One more thing that Joe is reluctant to tell a lot of people is that this life changing transformation has AMPED his rock climbing ability now working on 10b routes.  For those of you not in the climbing world 10b correlates to the difficulty of the pitch and size of hand/foot holds on given rock climbing route.

Joe Tebbe’s Weight Loss Before and AFTER

Joe’s QUICK Stats

Weight LOST -91+lbs

Pant Sizes LOST – 42 to 32 waist jeans

Here’s what Joe has to say about classes at RAD Boot Camp…

Thank You for the PHD…”Pie Hole Diary”…

“I just wanted to thank you especially the “Pie Hole Diary”.  I started my PHD on July 8th 2008, I weighed in at 230 lbs. I do RAD Boot Camp Workouts 5 days per week.

Today I weighed in at 198 lbs and my goal is 195 by 10-31-08.  Before July 8th 2008, I was exercising just as hard so I know the PHD changed my life.  The plateau breaking changes I made were RAD Boot Camp, starting the PHD, trying not to exceed my calorie intake, increasing my protein and eliminating drinking alcoholic beverages.

I started my life change in 2004, when I stepped on the scale and weighed 285 lbs., 4 years later I’ve lost a total of 85 lbs.  I feel so great, empowered, tons of energy and just happy to know I’m healthy again and running circles around guys half my age.  I also went from a 38 inch waist to a 32 inch waist in jeans! I feel like I’m 55 going on 25…Thanks!”

Joe J Tebbe – White Bear Lake, MN (USA)
Age 55
Owner of Triplex Systems, Inc.

Joe in the HOT Seat…

Brad:  Take me back a few years…where you were physically, mentally, etc…  Everything previous to kettlebells / RAD Boot Camp

Joe:  2004 I stepped on the scale and weighed 285#, I thought man I’m 15# from 300. I was totally bummed out but and at that time I made my mind up to I had to change. I had turned into a couch potato Fox news junkie. I was totally out off shape. I went on a hike in the mountains with my son in Arizona it was hot as hell we picked up water and I was psyched….I got about 500 feet up the steep trail and my son turned me back because he thought I was going to have a heart attack.  My minds eye was playing tricks on me, I honestly thought I could easily do this hike, I still thought I was the in shape outdoorsman of years gone by. It hit me like a ton of bricks, what happened to me, I used to be athletic, ripped abs the whole 9 yards. Why was my mind protecting me from the fact that I was now a fatso. I didn’t even really realize that    I was depressed. Everyone said you don’t look that heavy or you carry your weight so well. I started looking in the mirror and started seeing the fat guy I had turned out to be and I didn’t like what I saw. I wanted to be able to be active with my children and not confined to the Lazy Boy in the living room dreaming of the mountains and portages in the boundary waters. I made my mind up to change I just didn’t know how yet.  I tried the Atkins diet, the Y and mindless tread mill running, Buying exercise equipment only to go into mothballs. I would lose weight and then regain it.  I wasn’t going anywhere fast.

Brad:  How did you meet Brad and/or discover RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge?

Joe:  I started searching the internet for extreme strength. I just thought I had to do something extreme to meet my goals for weight loss and strength. During my search I came across Kettlebells and they really intrigued me. I set Dragon Door and kettlebells as one of my favorites. I kept surfing the net but I just kept coming back to Kettlebells. I knew that I had to find out hands on about Kettlebells so I Googled Kettlebells in St Paul. I came across Brads website for Kinetic Edge Performance, I called Brad because I knew I had to make a commitment.  I went to the Gauntlet not really knowing what I was getting into and I got my ass kicked, just what I needed to change my life.

Brad:  Describe your first experience with kettlebell training / RAD Boot Camp…

Joe:  I made it through the Gauntlet, sweating trying to catch my breath and run through the ringer. It was the most intense work out since my high school track and soccer days only harder because I was so out of shape and the Kettlebells ramped my heart rate up faster than anything I’ve ever experienced. I knew Kettlebells was exactly what I was looking for and an experienced and relentless, strength coach, Brad. I knew I would be back and back and back and own Kettlebells and forge myself into the person in my minds eye, with the help of Brad and RAD Boot Camp

Brad:  What period of your life was this?…

Joe:  I was 52 years old, re-inventing my life after raising 5 wonderful children and losing my second wife after 20 years of marriage.

Brad:  Where were you in clothes size, weight, etc?…

Joe:  Joe:  At my worst I was in size 42 pants at 285. When I started Rad Boot Camp I was in size 38 and weighed 265.

Brad:  What changes exactly have you seen?  (include clothes size, weight, inches, confidence, energy, etc…)

Joe:  I now weigh 194 lbs, size 32 jeans, tons of energy and I’m always happy. My confidence is at an all time high. I’m now goal oriented and proudly raising my disabled son, Chris on my own. I am a great example for all my kids(that are now all adults), their crazy old man, that rock climbs, ice climbs works out like a maniac and enjoys every minute of it.

Brad:  What makes Kettlebell Training / RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge different from anything else you’ve tried?

Joe:  The iron ball with a handle was so different and so intense on all my muscles and my core and cardio. The variety of movements and excercises challenged everything about my physical being, my proprieoception, balance, strength and fortitude nothing was left out. After the Gauntlet, Inferno or Survivor classes my metabolism was so ramped I felt the heat of my body for most of the day  after the work-out. I started to burn fat like never before.

Brad:  What is your #1 “Secret” as to why you finally got the results you were looking for?

Joe:  The number one best kept secret was Kettlebells and finding a real strength coach that knows hard work and beat downs reap the ultimate rewards.

Brad:  What would you tell someone like yourself who is on the fence about starting RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes?

Joe:  I would tell them that if they are truly interested in having their true potential tapped and are not afraid of being tapped, then go for it, by all means.

Brad:  Sum up RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes in 5 WORDS OR LESS…

Joe:  “The best way to success!”

KICK ASS Joe!  For those of you wondering on the fence about keeping a Pie-Hole Diary… Joe’s story of losing 49+lbs in 6 months just by starting a PhD should motivate you to WRITE IT DOWN!

Crank it!
B-Rad

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Here is another Kinetic Edge Fitness and St. Paul Fitness Boot Camp RADICAL Fat Loss Transformation…

Dena Urtel-Smith has lost A LOT of weight and inches post-baby.

Along the way she survived the grueling 23-hour Russian Kettlebell Certification here in St. Paul and became a RKC instructor and is now lovingly delivers beatdowns via “Burnout” on Friday mornings at 5:30am.

Dena Smith’s Weight Loss Before and AFTER

Dena’s QUICK Stats

Body Fat Lost -4% Body Fat

Weight Lost -19lbs and counting

Jean Sizes Lost 6/8 to a 2/4

Do YOU WANT RESULTS Like Dena?

Click HERE for St. Paul’s BEST Fitness Boot Camp!

Here’s what Dena has to say about classes at RAD Boot Camp…

“Exactly what I was looking for…

“After giving birth to my daughter I had lost all muscle tone and definition I once had and gained 40 pounds. I was unhappy and knew I needed something above and beyond my regular workouts to get back into shape. I committed myself to Brad’s RAD Boot Camp and my life has changed forever!  Brad completely dedicates his time and energy to helping you achieve your personal goals and is extremely motivating (getting me to his classes at 5:30am!!). His expertise and knowledge is priceless and I feel very fortunate to work with a trainer with all the strengths and qualities that he possesses. He knows how to mix up a workout to keep you on your toes and pushing yourself to do your best. Thank you Brad for all you’ve done to help me reach my goals…I couldn’t have done it without you!! You are the BEST and I would recommend your services hands down to anyone that will listen!!”

Dena Urtel-Smith – Woodbury, MN
Age 35
Medical Imaging Consultant
Family CEO
Rad Boot Camp Certified Instructor
Russian Kettlebell Certified Instructor

Dena in the Hot Seat…

Brad:  Take me back a few years…where you were physically, mentally, etc…  Everything previous to kettlebells (working out at LT / in the basement before you came to see me with kettlebells).

Dena: Before I started KB and before I had my daughter  I was in shape but had little definition, couldn’t afford a personal trainer and was bored to death of doing the same workout but knew nothing else.  I’m one to try many things – I tried a few types of Yoga, Pilates and Kick boxing to add some change to my work outs but nothing felt like the right fit and nothing gave me the difference I was looking for in my weight, strength or endurance.  I was frustrated and doing mindless workouts….what a waste of time now that I look back…
Brad:  How did you meet Brad / come into contact with RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge?

Dena: I met Brad while I was a member at Life Time Fitness.  I was looking for an answer to my desire to loose weight and provide me with enough energy to work out at the end of my busy work day.   He introduced me to Advocare to help with my energy and aid in my quest to lose weight.   He also recommended that I start working out in the morning so that the end of my days weren’t filled with excuses.  I gave him so many excuses as to why I couldn’t and why that was too early for me, but once I started on that routine…I have never looked back.  it truly does make a huge difference in your daily energy levels and even today, if it doesn’t happen before I go to work…it will likely not happen.

Brad:  Describe your first experience with kettlebell training / RAD Boot Camp…

Dena: I read an article that Brad wrote for the Woodbury Magazine that introduced Kettlebell’s and the results he had from starting this form of training.  I called Brad immediately after reading the piece he wrote and signed up that day for a personal training session. This type of training was unlike anything I had done in the past.   The day after my first class I could hardly move…I found muscles I hadn’t used in years and knew from that moment on…knew this was what my body needed to get the results I was looking for.

Brad:  What period of your life was this?…  New mom, etc…

Dena: I started Kettlebells about a year and a half after I had my daughter.  I was struggling to lose the weight I had gained from being pregnant.  Going back to my normal workout routine (cross traininger and weight training) was just not enough for me to see any significant movement on the scale and I was getting more and more frustrated not fitting into any of my pre-baby clothes.   My friends would say…”Dena, don’t worry about it…you just had a baby” which was really nice of them however, it had been over a year since I had “technically” had a baby:)

Brad:  Stats from when you first started post pregnancy?

Dena:  I don’t have measurements but this is what I know for weight/size:
When I got pregnant I weighed 130lbs and wore a size 6/8.
I topped the scales at 175lbs and was in size 10/12 after I got out of maternity clothes.
When I started doing KB I was about 145lbs.

Current weight = 125lbs (have lost 20 lbs since I started with KB)
Size
changes = 6/8 or size 30 to 2/4 or size 26/27  Huge difference…even
when I got down to 130lbs again…my body changed-had to buy all new
pants!
Body comp- I went from a 23% body fat to 19%

I started working out 1-2 days a week using Kettlebells and immediately notice results in my increased strength.  I started to add training days to my week and once I started going to Kettlebell 3+ times a week
I started to notice  significant changes in my body that I had never experienced before…it was truly remarkable. Not only was I losing weight but I was getting stronger.   Once my weight was back to
normal…I was amazed!

Brad:  As a new mom and someone who had obviously worked out before, why did kettlebells / RAD Boot Camp appeal to you? 

Dena:  When I went back to working out…doing the same thing I had done pre-baby was not making any difference.  We bought equipment to use at the home and left LTF.  I enjoyed not going to the gym but found it equally as hard to get down stairs to use equipment at home.  I needed something more and kettlebells found me thanks to my friend Brad.  I love the workouts, the challenge, the strength and endurance it has given me but most of all I love the way it has changed the way I think about working out.  It’s fun and creative and unlike no other workout in the past…has inspired me to not only do KB but teach it to others.

PS… I also love that it has given me a whole new wardrobe above and beyond my pre-baby clothes!

Brad:  What is your #1 “Secret” as to why you finally got the results you were looking for?

Dena:  I made the decision to dedicate my body to science…Brad’s “Mad Science” that is:)
I started committing more time to kettlebells…moving from 1-2 days a week to 3-5 days a week.  It is a mind-set change when you feel you need to be on a cross trainer/tread mill/lifting weights in order to work out.  Understanding that KB combines cardio and strength training at the same time.  I also changed my thought process from “losing weight” to “gaining strength and endurance”…once I changed that goal…my workouts took on a different meaning which kept me going longer and made me push myself to work harder.

Brad:  What would you tell someone like yourself who is on the fence about starting RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes?

Dena:  Just give it a week…don’t try it once…give it a week and you will start to see and feel things like never before.  Most of the time this happens in your first class but committing to a weeks investment “which is FREE” you get a feel of what you can do.  People go to places like Lifetime and work their tails off and are frustrated with their results…why keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result?  Try something new and see how your body responds.

I’ve also told people that stationary workout equipment when used daily is MINDLESS (speaking from experience)…how do you expect your body to respond to something that doesn’t trigger your brain to do anything.  With kettlebells you are working out with intent…you have to be paying attention to what you are doing…you are intentional with your movements…the form you are keeping…which in turn let’s your body and brain work together and respond to the work you are doing to help you achieve your goals.

Brad:  Sum up RAD Boot Camp / Kinetic Edge classes in 5 WORDS OR LESS…
Dena:  Challenging-Effective-Body Transforming-Fun-Diverse-Priceless

Way to KICK ASS Dena!

Crank it!
B-Rad

Do YOU WANT RESULTS Like Dena?

Click HERE for St. Paul’s BEST Fitness Boot Camp!

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Bottom-Line

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St. Paul Personal Trainer Brad Nelson tells you EXACTLY what you should look for when before hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness boot camp.

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Question 11

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St. Paul Personal Trainer Brad Nelson tells you EXACTLY what you should look for when before hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness boot camp.

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Question #10

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St. Paul Personal Trainer Brad Nelson tells you EXACTLY what you should look for when before hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness boot camp.

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Question #9

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St. Paul Personal Trainer Brad Nelson tells you EXACTLY what you should look for when before hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness boot camp.

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Question #8

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St. Paul Personal Trainer Brad Nelson tells you EXACTLY what you should look for when before hiring a personal trainer or joining a fitness boot camp.

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