Monday, February 27, 2012

RKC San Jose...Would You Have Quit?

Rachel came to me late last year for kettlebell training the "Hardstyle" way. Her goal was to prepare for the RKC workshop. Her training sessions went very well, along with her fantastic great attitude! Within a week or two of training with me, she registered for the RKC workshop in April 2012. I was so excited for her, and so was she. I knew she would be an excellent RKC instructor.
Each week she got better and better, but one day in January she shared some news with me. She was diagnosed with cancer and was told she had to have surgery in February. This surgery would require a minimum of 4 weeks of recovery, which meant NO kettlebell training the whole month of March! I said, "What? Oh no...you have worked too hard." Rachel kept coming to her training sessions with me, and she was going press through it.
All I could think about was all the work, time, and money she had put in towards achieving her RKC goal. Something told me to check the Dragon Door website to see if there was an earlier workshop she could attend. The San Jose RKC workshop in February 2012 was still open! The workshop was a few days before her surgery, which was perfect! I called Rachel and recommended that she change her RKC workshop to February, and she went for it!
Rachel and husband flew to California a few days before the RKC and immediately got into a major car accident in which her head was hit pretty hard. When the doctors performed a CT scan, they found a treatable fungus infection in her sinuses. After that, she got food poisoning that lasted for 2 days--no details needed. Next she began the vigorous RKC workshop, and she had the NERVE...i mean the strength, to attempt the Iron Maiden Challenge. She didn't get it, but her attempt with the pull-up using the 24kg kettlebell was somewhat close considering she didn't really train for it. On the last day of the workshop, Rachel doubted that she should go on due to low strength, but her husband encouraged her to go and get what she had come for. Despite it all, Rachel successfully passed the RKC, had surgery 2 days later, and is recovering well.
Rachel, you are Amazing!
The Bible says, No weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17).
You GOT IT!!!

7 comments:

Frankie Mecono RKCII said...

I assisted Team Layport and yes Rachel was a mess on day 2 and 3.
She definitely overcame the odds stacked against her and she never quit. I was able to spend some time with her and her husband at the meet and greet party. Great people!
Frankie Mecono RKCII

La Saun Taylor, SFG, AFAA-CPT said...

Yes Rachel is beautiful person inside and out.

Unknown said...

That is amazing.

Asha Wagner said...

Great story. I spent a little bit of time with her during the SJ RKC without knowing her back story. She is definitely a heck of a fighter. If there's anything I can help with before she goes for the Iron Maiden again, tell her to feel free to contact me.

La Saun Taylor, SFG, AFAA-CPT said...

Thanks Asha! Will pass the message on to her.

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