I met John Blievernicht in October 1989 at the first NASM course where we were both presenting.

That particular course was a hodge-podge of presenters with no educational organization. Dr. Bob Goldman just wanted to start the first national personal training certification (ACE  came long after, about 1992) so he brought in about 2 dozen “names” and acquaintances to speak in 20-40 time slots across 2 days. Earlier, in August of that year he had asked me to present. I had no idea what to expect. It was a mess, but because the name sounded official and the promotion (including an add in Muscle and Fitness) it seemed at the time like a really big deal.

After that course, I was asked to develop the biomechanics programming as well as organize the hands-on. John developed what was at the time one of the first “stability” orientated programs, a lecture he entitle “Structural Integrity) and an associated practical session via one of the hands-on rotations.

He was a masterful presenter. Dry humor, occasionally sarcastic (my favorite language). Among the many quote worthy statements he made over the decade we worked together, I have a few that I think of often:

“To progress in one area, you may have to temporarily regress in another.”

Regarding and to a friend of ours: “I have no doubt that you’d be the first one off the starting block, we just never know what lane you’re going to end up in.”

When talking to the class about training movement in all available directions (360°), a student blurted out “I tell my clients to think of it like a clock and move towards 1:00 or 3:00, etc.” He asked “Where are you from?” “Canada” she replied. With a perfectly straight face he said “We have digital clocks here.”