The state prison (ASP) helps others learn to live a healthier lifestyle.
In February, the ASP coach, Bryan Eskew and 15 people imprisoned, participated in a two -day crossfit coach seminar.
“This is the first time that the CDCR has provided level 1 crossfit certification for the population. This is really partly hard work and the dedication of the ESKEW coach, “said the leisure coach of the headquarters Heidi Wippel.
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The trainers’ seminar is the first for the population
“I’m proud of these guys, they stayed with it,” said Eskew. “We are expanding to other sites, so I hope that under my mandate, it will be in each court of Aenal’s state prison.”
Michael Razo and Adam Baker, both incarcerated at ASP, started this crossfit group six years ago, and their hard work is to bear fruit.
“These crossfit coaches showed up to direct us through this certification and teach us everything we need to know to be effective crossfit coaches,” said Baker.
Crossfit chief coaches Patrick Barber and Nick Thomison have taken the lead in the training of this very first crossfit seminar in a correctional establishment in California.
“What we are doing here is a back and forth between the teaching movement and then the theory of teaching,” said Barber.
The introductory course in person focuses on fundamental principles and crossfit movements. This course teaches training techniques and nutritional strategies so that imprisoned students can possibly lead to CrossFit themselves.
Certification could lead to employment possibilities
“These guys will take a test at the end. When they succeed in this test, they will receive a CrossFit level coach certificate, “said Barber.
Once they are released in their community, they will have the certificate and the skills to be taught at Crossfit Affiliates. This allows them to find jobs in gymnasiums and set up levels within crossfit. Finally, they could even open their own gymnasiums.
“They have the capacity now (and) a diploma. They have a little time to their credit to enter a gymnasium and say: “Hey, I want to change my life, can you help me do this?” “Said Thomlison.
“It realizes in the real world. I had some friends who were part of our group who came out and people try to hire them as personal coaches in a crossfit gymnasium. It’s just incredible, ”said Baker.
Change mentalities
“It is a dream that has become reality (because) it is a way for me to give others,” said Razo. “Since I grew up in gangs and having this mentality before taking others, now I have a platform where I can give. This is what CrossFit is for me. This gives me a platform to give to other people. »»
The Barber and Thomison coaches leave with more than the satisfaction of finishing another crossfit seminar.
“I’m grateful for that,” said Barber, “if I think there is a demography that could be served more than these guys by that, I don’t think I could find this right now.”
“I try to change lives for the positive with these kinds of things, but I think it goes both for this time,” said Thomlison.
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