In GutCheck Training, we serve and cater to a very high caliber of man: thought leaders and heavyweights in their respective fields, lions in the corporate jungle who then magically morph into fun-loving husbands and fathers upon returning home each day from work. While each of our members has his own personal reasons for wanting to endure the GutCheck experience, it’s become clear that a system of measurement and recognition of achievement is needed. Most agree that having tangible, concrete, milestones are essential to the ambitious seeker in the pursuit of any goal. They help you get objective feedback about how effectively your current approach is leading you to your desired end.

And so under the consultation of Jeremy Layport (Assist. Strength Coach of SJSU) and RKC Jason Agrella of JAKT, and drawing inspiration from the RKC minimalist benchmark approach, I’ve developed a level system to serve as signposts by which our members can recognize their progress.

I also believe that introducing this matrix can serve to raise our standards, changing our belief of what’s even possible in terms of our physical destinies. Once something is broken down into chunks, it’s conquerable. Suddenly by having a formal progression, watching your peers ascend it’s levels in front of you, you’re then not only empowered to do the same, but eager to lead the pack or at least keep pace.

The theme pays tribute to the most electrifying, athletic, powerful, and ferocious class of beast on the planet:

Felines…

…a living, breathing, yin-yang of grace and terror.

Before opening up the PDF, watch this 2 minute clip which illustrates why the Tiger has been selected as the top of the terrestrial predators.

Now that you’ve watched the clip, you’re ready to witness the…

…Evolution of a GutChecker

I wrote about the importance of having empowering references in Part II of “Lifestyle Change”…No Thanks. The RKC snatch test is another example of that, even though it is simply a test, not an actual person. The very fact that dozens of new people (who weren’t all life long athletes) pass this test nearly every month, raised my standard for myself. If this benchmark (100 Snatches with the 24 KG Kettlebell in 5 min.) never existed, I don’t think I’d ever have set it as a goal for myself.

Looking back to when I first heard about it, it seemed waaaaayyy out of reach. But since so many people pass it, I allowed myself to keep it as a goal, suspending my disbelief. And that is sometimes the hardest part, suspending disbelief, getting true emotional buy-in deep within yourself, as opposed to a shallow, forced affirmation that never penetrates your actual view of what’s really possible.

It is my sincere hope and intention that just how the RKC snatch test raised my personal standard, so too will the GutCheck framework raise the standards of thousands who would have otherwise settled for less. Maybe not everyone has a desire to go as far as the RKC snatch test. But instead of settling for losing a little weight, a Bobcat now aspires to grow into a Panther one day, achieving the vaunted GutCheck echelon of “Tier II.”

———————————————————

More About the Method Behind “Evolution of a GutChecker”…

The approach behind the GutCheck Level System is one of minimalist General Physical Preparedness (GPP) Metrics. In other words, how can we best measure overall strength and conditioning with the fewest metrics? The metrics are not sport specific but weighted toward the strength, conditioning, and athleticism we need to thrive in the game of life.

The cats progress in terms of size and ferocity. I know a Cheetah is a pretty darn athletic animal to be listed first, but I weighted ferocity ahead of athleticism because our training is about heart more than athletic gifts. If you feel a terrible injustice has been done in the ordering of the cats, please state your argument and cite your sources.

Share