In the 137th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Master Instructor and Owner of Kettlebility, Andrea U-Shi Chang will talk about the first kettlebell certification in Hawaii, benefits of lack of a fitness background, suggestions for new coaches, Instructor’s Toolbox, and more.

Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! 

In this chapter, you will discover:

(0:55) Introducing our special guest  Strong First Master Instructor and Owner of Kettlebility, Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang

(2:50) Andrea’s origin story

(2:55) Being a highschool athlete

(3:10) Working in real estate

(3:25) Getting into kettlebell

(3:30) Gaining weight

(4:15) What happened to the athlete?

(4:40) Getting help from an old friend

(5:05) Power To The People by Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst

https://www.amazon.com/Power-People-Strength-Training-American/dp/0938045199 

(5:10) Ineffective training sessions

(6:00) Andrea’s insane transformation

(6:40) A birthday present to herself

(7:00) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg

(7:45) Staring coaching

(8:35) Getting location for the gym

(9:10) Difference in the systems

(10:15) Introduction to kettlebells

(11:50) Building a community

(14:10) First kettlebell certification in Hawaii

(14:30) Shout out to Zaine Salerno @bms_strengthtraining

(17:15) “I didn’t realize I didn't feel good until I started to actually feel good.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strengt h_connection

(18:20) “Anyone who is in their 20s, if they start training with strong first principles, it is going to carry over for your whole life.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang

(19:00) Andrea’s experience with building a business

(19:20) Organic growth

(21:00) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst

(21:15) Benefits of lack of a fitness background

(22:15) Shout out to Chris Abbott Linkedin: Chris Abbott

(23:00) “If you get really good at getting results for people in there, nobody's leaving you.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection

(23:40) “Get good at working with people.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang

(23:40) Assessing success

(24:35) “It's not about chasing certs.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang

(26:45) “It's hard to train experience.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection

(27:00) Suggestions for new coaches

(29:00) Referral provider system

(30:15) Why does Mike like the FMS system?

(32:15) Importance of being a forever student

(33:10) What's the most important thing for coaches?

(34:15) Why is hard style difficult?

(34:40) Save and effective!

(36:10) Shout out to Os Aponte @ironcoreway

(37:20) “Make it enjoyable.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection

(38:30) Shout out to Zar Horton @zarhorton_kbx

(39:30) Learn!

(40:20) Things that you can’t online

(42:20) Cool things about Strong First certifications

(43:40) Shout out to Karen Smith @_coach_karen_

(44:15) More tips for young coaches

(45:20) Shout out to Vic Verdier @vicverdiercoaching

(45:50) Instructor’s Toolbox

(46:35) The lost teachings

(54:10) Mike’s experience with SFL

(55:20) Instructor’s Toolbox workshop with Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang and Brett Jones @brettjonessfg

Where to find Andrea U-Shi Chang? @andreaushichang