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Rannoch - Simple Strength

My name is Rannoch. A lifetime’s interest in martial arts, movement, mindfulness, conditioning, strength, mobility and recovery led me to a sustainable personal practice based on health and wellness. I write about the things that interest me and the training and practice that reflects it. If it works for me it might just work for you. But ultimately, this is my own personal, ever evolving experiment. You need to find what works for you and share that with everyone. I am not a big fan of putting results and outcomes in the hands of others. No one can do the work for you, we all have access to the same basic tools, it’s up to each of us to get on with the process.

Whilst Science explains, art expresses, Simple Strength attempts to create a bridge between the two. Only direct experience can show you what works.

My influences are broad and diverse, from East to West, high culture and low brow, hopefully keeping things free from dogma and kool aid. Please contribute, comment or email me on any of the above. We are all students, we are all teachers. If you have something you’d like to share on the blog just let me know.

As Scotland’s first Russian Kettlebell Challenge Instructor I certified under Pavel Tsatsouline. My training took a radical turn when I had the good fortune to meet and work with Steve Cotter and Ken Balckburn from the IKFF, going to certify as an IKFF CKT Level 1 & Level 2 Fitness & Movement Dynamics and Kettlebell Teacher. Since then I have had the honour of learning some of the world’s best teachers as and coaches, including Pavel Tsatsouline, Steve Cotter, Mike Mahler, Erwan Le Corre, JC Santana, Alvaro Romano, Ken Blackburn, Mark Cheng, Jonathan Lewis and Scott Sonnon, all of whom inform my own training and practice in some way. Simple Strength and Kettlebells Scotland distills my own training practices into something simple, scalable and effective to be used by anyone, young and old, men and women, athletes and amateurs alike.

It is simple model…

Practice – Progression – Performance

Practice leads to progress, progress leads to performance. Performance is a rarefied place we can visit now and again. It is the practice and subsequent progress that make performance possible. No one ever spent too much time on the basics and fundamentals, what George Leonard calls “Getting comfortable with the plateau”. Our ability to do simple things well lets us, in the words of Thomas Myers - “adapt to the demands of our environment with ease and imagination”.

Movement, mindfulness and maintenance, that’s the mantra of Simple Strength.

Our workshops and community provide people with the tools and confidence to take charge of their own health and wellbeing, focussing on breath work, mobility, bodyweight training and Kettlebells. Simple Strength – For average people looking for exceptional results.

Simple Strength is responsible for the 100 Rep Challenge, a daily resource of training information, tips, drills and articles that encourages all of us, whatever our situation, to get a little movement in our day.

“Rannoch’s energy, passion, work ethic and community spirit shine a bright light. When you need a teacher to show you the Way of the Kettlebell, look no further”   - Steve Cotter, Director, International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation – www.ikff.net

“In this world of internet experts that have done nothing of substance it is hard to find a man making a difference in his community and in the industry.  I’m happy to have met such a man in Rannoch Donald who brings his decades of experience in martial arts, strength and conditioning, coaching, and business, to his community and to the industry with style and determination.  The IHP MMA CSCC certification was hosted by Rannoch in Scotland – so I speak from experience when I say that he’s one of a kind and a true coach and colleague!” – JC Santana – Institute of Human Performance – www.ihpfit.com

“If you think “rain” when you think of Scotland, I strongly recommend that from now on you think “super friendly folks” instead.  What makes an event with Rannoch from Simple Strength unique is that you will only experience positive vibes. They have a unique talent to express how much they value what you’re bringing to their community and to make you feel like you’re one of them in no time. That alone is worth the trip.” (Plus Rannoch is handsome but you’ve got to be there to believe it) – Erwan Le Corre – www.movnat.com

“Rannoch Donald is a consummate professional. He promoted my courses in Scotland and I could not have been more pleased. Everything was organized with immaculate detail and I was able to come into each course with my best game and ensure that everyone left ecstatic. In addition Rannoch is a great trainer that knows exactly how to inspire others and bring out the best in them” – Mike Mahler – www.aggressivestrength.com