Coaching has always been a passion of mine.
I have always wanted to be in a position to help people, but for years I felt it was out of reach for me. Between working rotating shift work full-time and raising a young family, I convinced myself not to follow my dreams of becoming a barbell coach. But, I was wrong to doubt myself. I want to share the story of how I became the first Progressive Rehab & Strength Coach in Wyoming, USA, and how I went from ground zero to running a successful, professional coaching business in just one year.
Who and What Is Progressive Rehab & Strength?
Based out of New York but serving clients worldwide, Progressive Rehab & Strength has delivered high-quality coaching and content for barbell strength athletes of all backgrounds, from beginner to competitive athlete, healthy and injured, since 2014. Not only do they offer world-class coaching, but they also have the PRS Barbell Blackboard education system. The PRS Barbell Blackboard is for those interested in learning the ins and outs of barbell strength coaching from an injury risk reduction and longevity approach and possibly becoming a Progressive Rehab & Strength Coach.
Dr. Rori Alter, PT, SSC, PRSCC, is Progressive Rehab & Strength owner, Starting Strength Coach, an internationally ranked powerlifter. She is also a sought-after Physical Therapist and Coach within the powerlifting community. I have known Dr. Rori for nearly a decade; she was my coach many years ago, and we have always been in touch in one way or the other since. Rori has always been a source of inspiration for me personally and countless others. Her compassion for helping others is one of the reasons I am where I am today.
How It All Started:
Before signing up for the PRS Barbell Blackboard courses, I had developed some hip pain from squatting. PRS offers free form checks twice weekly in their Facebook group. Rori has always been a fantastic coach and friend. So, this is where I turned to help solve my problem. She diagnosed my issues immediately in the Facebook group. She put me on track to healing within just a couple of weeks of free form checks alone.
After how much free value she provided me through her content and free forums, I wanted to invest more in her and Progressive Rehab & Strength. Right around this time, there was a free 5-day business coaching jumpstart challenge. I never expected it would turn into actually starting my own coaching business. During the 5-day challenge, we covered everything from content creation to marketing to conducting consultation calls, and thus began Haggit Barbell, LLC.
There was enough value and information in those five days that I started a business from SCRATCH.
When it came time to sign up for Programming Fundamentals, I did not doubt that it would help me achieve the burning desire to become a coach and own my own business. I knew the course was going to accelerate my abilities by light-years, and it did not disappoint. With clear and information-packed lessons and Q&As every week, I learned more about programming than I could have from a weekend seminar or trying to study independently for a textbook certification. As a result, from the rank novice to competitive athlete, injured or not, I feel confident in my ability to program for any individual.
I was completely sold on obtaining my PRSC, the coaching certification you receive after completing all three PRS Barbell Blackboard courses and passing all exams and case studies with an 85% or above. Not exactly easy to do, but I was determined and had the support of those around me. Most importantly, the mentorship from Rori and her team.
I took the leap of faith and enrolled in the remaining two courses PRS Barbell Blackboard offers - Business Best Practices and Barbell Coaching & Movement Optimization.
What Happened Next?
Where Programming Fundamentals speaks to training progression, Barbell Coaching & Movement Optimization teaches what, when, and how to barbell coach.
Barbell Coaching & Movement Optimization not only breaks down each of the big four barbell lifts but also loaded human movement as a whole. With a study of physics, biomechanics, kinesiology, and anatomy and how it applies to moving under load, you can feel confident that you will have any athlete moving more efficiently, optimally. Most importantly, This class further breaks the coaching process down into a step-by-step process of importance and an intervention hierarchy. From just meeting a client to having been working with them for years, you will be able to address the most critical issues of their movement with the correct hierarchy of intervention.
Business Best Practices prepares you for running a profitable, successful, and sustainable business with ethical and moral values. Before taking this class, I didn't even know how little I knew. This class takes you through starting a business, from creating your vision statement to finalizing your business plan. Then, with weekly masterminds and assignments, you will end this mentorship with a start-up business and comprehensive business plan that only needs to be executed to be successful.
Business Best Practices was my favorite class of the three. Not only did it broaden my educational horizons, but the information and mentorship provided improved my life as a whole by covering time management, goal setting, and relationship building. In addition, the masterminds with Rori, and co-educatory, Jason, provided me with confidence in my vision and the direction just as I needed it most.
How It's Going:
After three mentorship programs of hours of learning and lectures, case studies, and exams, I passed the PRS Barbell Blackboard. I received my PRSC in January of 2021.
This process was one of enormous growth for me personally and professionally.
I am not only more confident in my ability to help people get stronger and improve their quality of life, but I also have more direction and clarity in my own life. The process gave me so much more than just some letters after my name, and I am forever grateful for the experience.
You can learn more about PRS Barbell Blackboard programs HERE. And if you're a shift worker interested in building strength, confidence, and healthy lifestyle habits, head to www.haggitbarbell.com