Kendrick Farris Weightlifting Clinic – Top 10

I had the pleasure of being one of thirteen individuals who were part of Kendrick Farris’ “Bless the Gym Tour”.

Personally, I was grateful and excited to have the chance to learn from one of the best in the business. I was especially excited to learn from an Olympic caliber lifter who was known to have their own style in the way they lift because I feel I add my “own sauce” as well. The least I can do is give you my Top Ten Takeaways from the seminar!

DISCLAIMER: As a “lifter” these are MY takeaways and what I considered to be the most valuable to me as a lifter. Other lifters might have other opinions.

1. BE HUMBLE: No this is not a Kendrick (Lamar) to Kendrick (Farris) reference. However, it was the first valuable cue I took from him. Even though he was the most knowledgeable person in the room, he was always willing to listen to feedback about cues he gave. Before and after the chit chat he would have with you about something technical in your lift, he seemed genuinely interested in your perspective on what just happened. Not to mention he never picked up anything in the gym besides his empty training bar, and for someone who holds the american clean and jerk record, that was pretty humble of him.

2. PERCENTAGES: Even though we did not directly talk about percentages. He stated that we would be working up to about 80% in both lifts. It’s hard to incorporate life changing cues to your 1RM. Same goes for your everyday training. Percentages are important as they allow you to work at heavyweight, while building volume and technique.

3. FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND: Find a setup that works best for you. Arguably the most important part of the lift is right before you actually start. Whether you are a novice lifter or you have been doing this your whole life, chances are you’re about to lift something heavy. Kendrick always stressed focus. Know that you are about to lift some some heavy weight and you need to not let anything deter your focus.

4. “GET YA BABIES OUT THE STREET”: One of the notable movie references he made was during Boyz N The Hood, Tre came across a baby in the street that belonged to one of the mothers on the block. Before he got home, he made sure to get the baby out the street and back to his mom. Translating that to both lifts, as your pulling off the ground, get your shins and knees out of the way. It’s the first step to ensuring an efficient bar path and you reduce your risk of those bruised and bloody shins – which no one loves.  

5. HIPS! Its no secret that the majority of our power in both lifts comes from our hips. Even though we all know it. It’s difficult for some of us to actually make contact with the bar. If you are extending your hips all the way through the bar, during triple extension you should feel a brush against a bar. However, it is only a brush.

6. HIPS 2.0: If you are slamming your hips through the bar so much that the bar is coming out away from you then you need to tone it down. The goal of the lift is not to slam your hips into the bar as hard as you can. He noted that many times people will use the analogy of a kettle bell swing to cue the hips through. He was not a fan. He said the only goal in a kettle bell swing is hip extension, whereas with your lift the main goal is triple extension.

7. FINISH THE LIFT FIRST: Whatever you are doing, snatch the weight first, clean the weight first, jerk the weight first. Many people think about dropping under the weight as fast as you can and then worrying about punching up on the bar, squatting out of the hole, or recovering from the jerk after being pinned under something heavy. For example, during the split jerk, many individuals want to drop under the weight as fast as possible. He always said “The weight is coming”. Dropping under is great but can you handle the weight that you just threw over your head.

8. UTILIZE POWER FROM YOUR MOST POWERFUL SOURCE: We all have areas where we are stronger than others. Kendrick’s example was his legs. If you haven’t seen his Instagram, he is back squatting 600+ pounds for reps. So his lower body is clearly his strong point. Which in my opinion is one of the reasons he uses the squat jerk. Its seems so unorthodox to us, but he said if I get under it I know I can stand it up.

9/10. WORK ON YOUR CUES/BE YOURSELF: We all have different cues that we need to focus on during the lift. At the same time everyone has different things that works for them. Know what cues you need to work on and focus on those. Within the realm of proper technique, we all have slight differences that are unique to us. After all, everyone is built differently. Know yourself, stick to what you are used to, and lift YOUR weight.

GAINZ WILL COME!

– Coach Selby –

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MARYRUTH O’NEAL

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

As a largely uncoordinated child, I spent much of my youth with broken bones, missing teeth and injured pride as I stumbled awkwardly through team sports like basketball, soccer and softball. Quite inexplicably, I made the cheer squad in my freshman year of college, but quit after just one season and made no further athletic pursuits while in school. Perhaps fubsy young writers were meant to focus solely on their English degrees and grand notions for a publishing future.

But something unexpected happened in 2007. I caught wind of the Nike+iPod Sports Kit that Nike had released not one year earlier. For reasons I can no longer recall, I decided that this fitness technology (a then-little-used phrase) deserved space in my life. I purchased my first pair of running shoes, along with the Nike+ sensor kit, and started apprehensively pounding pavement.

Spoiler alert: I was not a great runner. But I was consistent. (And, blessedly, I discovered I wasn’t quite so uncoordinated as I’d once been.) I built up mileage, ran my first 10k, lost nearly 70 pounds, and found a new sense of empowerment that led to more confident choices in every aspect of my life. While I grew as an athlete, I also grew as a professional, accelerating in my career as a writer, and as a risk-taker, at one point even pausing my career to pursue a culinary degree.

There is no question that physical feats and even the smallest measure of athletic prowess can inspire boldness in seemingly unrelated endeavors. I have rediscovered this truth throughout my adult life, and I have witnessed in others the transformative impact of leaning into an athletic identity, no matter how we define it for ourselves.

This is what I live for as a coach: Helping everyone I meet recognize and embrace not only their athletic potential but also the broad impact of training and growing that potential. We all have a different starting line, but I am proud to coach at a gym that believes in meeting every member where they are. Whether you have spent your whole life identifying as an athlete or denying all along that you possess any physical prowess, there is a starting line for you at Bluprint and it leads to a journey that is utterly worth the undertaking.

CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelors in English/Communication
Bluprint Professional Coach Development Program
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

DEVLIN MURDOCK

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

Rowing is a sport that can show you just how strong you are and just how hard you can push yourself. Just when you don’t think you can go any more, you find that little bit extra. When you challenge yourself in rowing, all the other challenges you face seem to pale in comparison. I can’t count the number of times I have been met with an obstacle in life and found confidence in my ability to overcome that obstacle stemmed directly from pushing myself in the sport of rowing. I want to help you find your outer limits and then break through them.

Originally a soccer player, Devlin started rowing to keep in shape in the soccer offseason. Training indoors throughout the winter months in Connecticut, by the time Devlin had made it through a full season of scholastic soccer and club rowing he had won a district championship (soccer) and a national championship (rowing) and was faced with a decision. Several medals and accolades later, Devlin finished his four years at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA as a national champion, a three year varsity letter winner, a captain of the Men’s Rowing team, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics. Devlin moved to Chicago in 2012 to see about a girl (to whom he is now married) and became the Programs Manager of Recovery on Water, a rowing team for patients and survivors of breast cancer in 2015.”

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CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
BS Physics (Saint Joseph’s University)
USRowing Level 2 Certified Coach
Cancer and Exercise Specialist Training Certified
Bluprint Fitness Professional Coach Development Program

JAVI TIRADO

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

Growth happens when you willingly put yourself in an uncomfortable position. This statement guided me towards Bluprint and since joining this awesome community I’ve been in a constant state of discomfort, which has led to so much growth. 

I played baseball since I was 4 years old up until my sophomore year of college. When I stopped playing, I found the gym to be a place of solitude. It was where I felt my best. I started my fitness journey with traditional weight training. I spent most of my undergraduate and graduate student years working out in this fashion and at various points felt like I wasn’t doing enough. When I moved back to Chicago, I knew something had to change. I needed to be challenged. I needed to be held accountable. I needed community. & I needed something that fit into my schedule. 

I found bluprint during the pandemic and immediately felt at home. This place changed my perspective on health and fitness and I knew after a few months of joining I wanted more. After 8 months of being a BP athlete, I stepped into the coaching arena. Coaching brings me joy. It’s where I get to bridge my passion for teaching and learning with fitness. I’m grateful to be a part of this community and to be working with you all.

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CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Bluprint Fitness Professional Coach Development Program

EMILY WAUER

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a Strength Coach one day. Born and raised in Downers Grove Illinois, I was raised playing any sport that involved a ball and contact with my brother’s and cousin. In highschool, I chose to focus on soccer and went on to play on the inaugural team at the University of Illinois of Chicago where I completed a degree in Kinesiology Exercise Science and a Minor in Nutrition.

My soccer career came to a close after I endured my second ACL & Meniscus tear playing semi-professionally for the Chicago Red Stars Reserves. After I re-gained enough strength after surgery, I knew I needed a gym that had the ultimate programming that could feed my competitive spirit, help me build strength and endurance while staying injury-free. Those standards have been far exceeded ever since and I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team to take what I have learned to coach athletes from all ages and levels of fitness.

In addition to coaching at BluPrint, I am a software Sales Representative and can understand how hard it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle working a 8-5pm+ corporate job. BluPrint will be the gym to take the thinking out of workout plans, hold you accountable to making 3-5 classes a week, help you achieve the body you never thought you could and most importantly keep you injury free while doing so!

CERTIFICATIONS

BA Kinesiology Exercise Science with a Minor in Nutrition (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Sports Recovery Specialist (Chicago Recovery Room)
Parisi Speed Coach (Parisi Speed School)
Mental Health Advocate

MARGARET DRISI

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

I’ve always loved a good challenge. Growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago, I dabbled in team sports and gymnastics, but I didn’t find my passion for personal fitness until the end of college. I started challenging myself with 5ks, “Insanity” workouts, and Tough Mudders and slowly moved on to Spartan races, half marathons, and full marathons. One day I told a friend, “I could never run a marathon!” and the next day I signed up for the 2015 Chicago Marathon. I hated thinking I couldn’t do something. My first marathon was my first experience with following a training plan. I learned that my body – all of our bodies – can do incredible things with consistency and a plan. Six years later, I still love following a fitness plan and seeing the results of my hard work. I became a coach because I want to help other people find that same success and feel proud of the work they’ve put in. I love fitness, but I’m nerdy about nutrition. I earned my “nutrition coach certification” from Working Against Gravity this year and am excited to see how this new knowledge can help me serve others.

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CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
WAG Certified Nutrition Coach
Bluprint Fitness Professional Coach Development Program

LINDSAY WADE

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

Born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago, I grew up doing as many sports and activities as my parents would allow. As I got older, I became a competitive sprinter, swimmer, cheerleader and dancer and later ventured into long distance running and yoga. Discovering Bluprint was life-changing. I can confidently say I’m in the best shape of my life thanks to this gym and its coaches. Being part of this crew has also led to amazing friends and an overall healthier routine.

When I’m not at the gym, I spend most of my free time volunteering at Chicago Animal Care and Control, playing trivia, going to music festivals/concerts, traveling, and hanging with my husband and pup.

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CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Bluprint Professional Coach Development Program
MAT (National Louis University)

JANELLE DYCE

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

Growing up in New England I was always surrounded by sports, we were always watching sports or playing sports. Basketball and soccer were my personal favorites and I played them up through high school.

After high school, I knew I wanted to go to a university where I could watch big time athletes play and that took me to University of Florida – Go Gators! I studied Business Administration and minored in Health Science Education. After graduating in 2008, I stayed in “The Swamp” and got a job at the local gym – Gainesville Health and Fitness. After a couple years in the customer service side, I became a NASM Personal Trainer which was one of the most influential and important decisions of my life.

Fitness has always been a huge part of who I am and I wanted to share that with other athletes by inspiring people to lead healthier lives. Shortly after becoming a Personal Trainer, I was eager to learn more about how nutrition maximized the results we strived for in the gym. I received my Precision Nutrition Level 1 to enhance my nutritional understanding. After many years of personal training under my belt I met Byron and we continued to push and grow together as fitness professionals. We got our L1 CrossFit Certifications (and a few years later our Level 2) and made the move to Chicago to pursue taking over a CrossFit Gym called RowFit.

We re-branded, moved down the street, and continued to grow into the Bluprint Fitness we are today. We will continue to grow through constant learning, always striving to be the best we can be for our FitFam – the Blu Cru. I am committed to thoughtfully and safely building up my athletes by meeting them where they are at on their fitness journey and motivating them to become the best versions of themselves. I promise to always practice what I preach, lead by example, and empower my athletes with  thoughtful and educated coaching.

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CrossFit Specialty Courses
Gymnastics
Mobility
National Association of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer (NASM)
Precision Nutrition Level 1
Kettlebell Concepts Level 2 Trainer (KBC)
BA Business Administration/Minor & Specialization in Health Science Education (University of Florida)
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BYRON DYCE II

COACH

BIOGRAPHY

My goal is to educate and inspire communities to improve their quality of life by creating a Bluprint for success. Health & fitness are my passion and I want to accompany athletes along their journey to better health and performance.

Byron was destined for a love of health & fitness from an early age, being the son of an Olympic runner. He spent his childhood playing outdoors and getting involved in as many sports as possible. Byron settled into his “athletic niche” when he entered high school, directing his focus on football and weightlifting, where he competed at a high level. He then spent his freshman year as a walk-on with the University of Florida football team until he decided he wanted to focus his energy on school & business. Byron has spent the last 6 years in the fitness field.

CERTIFICATIONS

CrossFit Level 2 Trainer
CrossFit Specialty Courses
Powerlifting Trainer
Mobility Trainer
USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach (USAW)
National Association of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer (NASM)
Kettlebell Concepts Level 2 Trainer (KBC)
AA in Accounting (Santa Fe College)
BA in Business
Administration (University of Florida)
CPR-AED

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