Nick Wise Teaches CFM’s Tuesday Self-Defense Classes

Hey crew, I just wanted to give you all the head’s up, for those of you who don’t already know that we have a self-defense fitness class taught by one of our extraordinary trainers, Nick Wise, ongoing on Tuesdays from 17:45pm to 19:15pm. A few of you have already tried out the class and I would like to hear some replies on the forum on what you thought of it. Here a few of the instructor’s credentials:

Nicholas Wise has an extensive martial arts background, having studied various forms of self defense for the better part of 23 years. He holds black belts in two styles, and has over seven years of experience coaching students of all ages in practical self defense and martial arts. He has worked in several public safety sectors, including security and emergency medical services, and recognizes the importance of being able to transfer skills learned in the gym to real-world situations. He discovered Crossfit in 2007 and quickly came to see the importance of all-around fitness to the pursuit of martial arts. He believes in teaching a wide variety of techniques, and runs his classes by the motto, “If you’re not having fun, you’re not learning as much as you can.” He holds a Second Degree Black Belt (Nidan) in Judo as well as a First Degree Black Belt (Shodan) in Hawaiian Jujitsu. I can also attest (from just watching him coach) that Nick is one of the most patient and caring human beings on the planet. His eagerness and willingness to help people improve and grow their talents is unparalleled. Since I met Nick discussing a few philosophical points on CrossFit.com, he has not ceased to astound and impress me with his sterling character traits. I feel truly honored to have him be a part of CFM’s family of trainers. I strongly recommend trying his classes if you are available when they are offered.

Although most of you have probably met Nick at some point and know about the Tuesday self-defense class, what most of you probably don’t know is that Nick has a congenital case of rather pronounced scoliosis. This is a condition that would cause most people to allow themselves to be sedentary, inactive, and self-pitying. Instead of allowing his circumstances to turn him into what Sarah Farrell would call a “have not”, in other words someone who sees themselves as impoverished and unable to give or contribute because of their circumstances, Nick turned himself into the ultimate “have”. Through his discipline, persistence, martial arts practices as well as CrossFit conditioning Nick has strengthened his musculo-skeletal system to a degree that he is comonly regarded as an example of elite-fitness and a fire-breather in the gym. (His max deadlift is approaching 400lbs, despite his small size.) I always see Nick giving to everybody and I never hear him complain despite the enormous workload he puts into his law enforcement career as well as the long drive up to Corte Madera from Pacifica and the many hours he has invested into our gym. I guess some people just never allow themselves any excuses to hold them back!