Profile:

Brett Jones, RKC, CSCS

Brett Jones, 31, of New Bethlehem, PA was recently crowned champion of the Tactical Strength Challenge. He is a Strength Coach, personal trainer and Certified KB coach. Contact him here for information on his excellent training services.

Thoughts on the TSC: The event itself was awesome. It had been years since I had competed in anything and I almost didn't compete in the TSC. The aspect of the event that stands out most to me is the comaraderie and support. Pavel was able to provide me with some DL tips. I got to meet Steve and DC Maxwell. The other competitors, especially Steve K. and John Allstadt, were great people to meet. I got to see Rob L and Mike Mahler again (we were in the Feb. seminar together). So I felt like I had had a great time prior to the event even starting.
During the event, the spectators and competitors were so encouraging and supportive. We all wanted every competitor to perform their best. As the events progressed the spirit of the meet didn't diminish. There were some great performances turned in.
After the meet, the sandbags came out and the fun continued as the competitors started to try some new lifts. It was just a great time. The seminars afterwards were top-notch. The whole meet was quite an experience and I hope the next TSC will be even bigger.
Preparation: My preparation for the event was very specific. My focus lifts were weighted pull-ups, pistols and snatches.
I also continued to DL, bench, and perform ab work on the Ab-Pavelizer II. Training was 5 days per week and the loads were varied constantly. Exact details will be coming in an article on DD that Pavel has asked me to write.
How I've improved since starting KB lifting: I have improved in all areas. My Body fat has decreased, my power and vertical leap have increased, and I am in better overall shape (cv included).
KBs are the hardest work I have done and the most rewarding.
His days before Pavel: I was recovering HIT Jedi. Functional training had become my new focus but a friend of mine who had worked with Coach Ethan Reeve introduced me to DD and Pavel. One thing that I am adamant about is always seeking out new and different viewpoints. Friends always joked me about constantly trying a new routine but I was simply researching new techniques. I still do that but still haven't found anything to top PTP and RKC.
The next thing for me is Clubbells, which I think will be a great addition to my current routine.
Athletic trainer, Strength Coach, Personal Trainer : I have worked with all types of clients. Athletes, teenagers, elderly, stroke patients, heart disease, diabetes, deconditioned, and everything in between.
Training other that KBs: The traditional PL lifts have my focus at the moment. DL, Squat, and bench along with pullups, pistols and one arm, one leg pushups. I should be in a PL meet later this winter.
Favorite lifts: Deadlift, pull-ups, and KB snatches.
Advice for beginners: Keep it simple!! Focus on the basics. Pick a pull (DL), pick a press - throw in pull-ups, pistols and KB ballistics. Don't worry about isolation - just get strong! Rotate your focus - DL for a while to achieve some goal and then pick a new goal. Respect the cycling of the weight and intensity - only the mediocre are at their best all the time!!
Most of all - Have Fun!