“I finally felt like I had a plan of attack to battle my Compartment Syndrome …
October 28, 2011
“I finally felt like I had a plan of attack to battle
my Compartment Syndrome …
I had a whole new outlook on life.”
— Jacqueline Moore on Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance Evaluation
Jacqueline Moore is a bright, vivacious 22 year old athlete who’s going places. Africa to be exact, with the Peace Corps in spring 2012.
Since her early childhood, Moore has been an avid athlete. “My parents had a rule,” says Moore. “While (my brothers and sister and I) were in school, we had to participate in a sport.”
Originally a lacrosse player, Moore made the switch to rowing as a sophomore in high school. A natural and powerful athlete, Moore excelled in the sport from day one. As training demands increased however, so did the pain in both of Moore’s arms.
In her senior year, after extensive testing, Moore was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome — a serious condition that involves increased pressure on muscle compartments (surrounding fascia or ‘sacks’) as they grow or expand from training.
To correct the condition, Moore subsequently endured extensive surgery — first on her arms, and years later, as a sophomore in college, on the outer sides of both legs. Both recoveries were slow and painful, involving casts, a wheelchair for her leg surgery and powerful painkillers.
“It was a miserable and lonely 6-week recovery,” says Moore. “ I dropped from 174lbs to 138 lbs.”
Determined to recover, and return to the active life style her parents had always fostered, Moore consulted Coach Kaehler for help with her condition. “He sounded really interested in my situation,” says Moore.
“Compartment Syndrome defined my athletic ability … it put limits that I never thought I’d have prior to being diagnosed. But after finding Coach Kaehler, I realized I was perfectly capable of competing on an international level if I trained correctly.
Her thoughts after following Coach Kaehler’s program for 6 weeks?
“I had a whole new outlook on life,” Moore responds.
“ I finally felt like I had a plan of attack to battle my Compartment Syndrome … After taking a non-surgical approach with Coach Kaehler, I was able to see and feel improvement.”
“I noticed the biggest improvement in my legs … The hip flexor strengthening exercises resulted in my no longer losing complete feeling in my feet … I was able to run longer without pain.”
Asked about Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance process, Moore replies, “The whole program is worth it! Coach Kaehler makes it almost impossible to do anything incorrectly, so success is inevitable if the workouts are completed.”
“I would recommend Coach Kaehler to those with or without conditions, but especially to those who go through surgery. Coach Kaehler works diligently to understand what you’re going through and how he can be the most help to you, “ says Moore. “I went to Coach Kaehler thinking he would be easy on me — like the other trainers / doctors / coaches … but he forced me to to do basic exercises in a whole new manner … which resulted in physical improvements I saw on a weekly basis.”
Back on track with her familiar and fulfilling life-style, Moore resumed her rowing and racing with the Steel City Rowing Club through the summer of 2011. Moore currently works as a marketing intern for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and prepares for her first and fast-approaching African adventure with the Peace Corps next spring.
** Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance Process is not medical treatment, and he does not treat pain. Body Balance issues are identified and corrected to allow restoration of powerful and pain-free training. All of his clients have gone through traditional medicine channels first and have been screened by a medical physician. (M.D. or D.O.)
“He’s the real thing. I’m a believer.
September 1, 2011
“He’s the real thing. I’m a believer.
— Dr. Rush Fisher,
Chief Spinal Reconstructive Surgeon, Christiana Spine Center.
By Yasemin Watkins
Dr. Rush Fisher has been an avid athlete his entire life.
An injury from a skiing accident in his late teens left him with a separated AC joint, and a chronic shoulder condition. Later, as captain of his undefeated lightweight crew team at Dartmouth, Fisher learned to adapt to his weakened shoulder by rowing starboard and “avoiding certain lifts.”
Fisher recently returned to rowing after a 20-year hiatus. In the summer of 2010, he consulted Bob Kaehler (Coach Kaehler) for technical advice.
From the perspective of both a spinal reconstructive surgeon and athlete, Dr. Fisher comments on his experience with Coach Kaehler.
“I was blown away. Bob was definitely onto something.
(Initially) I consulted Bob to get some direction on my rowing. But he told me that I’ve got to have the proper tools to do it well.”
From this point, their focus shifted from technique to “tools” – Fisher’s chronic and limiting shoulder condition and overall Body Balance.
“I was very surprised. I’ve had many consultations regarding my shoulder. Bob nailed it!
Bob’s Body Balance program has pretty much eliminated my 20-year shoulder pain. I’ve also noticed more efficiency on the water. And that my back no longer bothers me after long stretches in the O.R.”
Of Coach Kaehler’s credentials, Fisher comments:
“Bob has worked with some of the nation’s leading orthopaedic surgeons.
He understands that rowing demands and rewards repetition in order to gain perfection. And that this repetition can cause harm if not properly balanced. He also understands that each muscle works more efficiently in synergy if the body is in balance. With this in mind, Bob has developed his Body Balance program that addresses and corrects existing imbalances, and allows athletes to attain their potential.”
Getting Back in Rowing Shape! – Warner Bonner Henley 2011
August 21, 2011
I guess this is more of a thank you letter to Bob and head’s up to all you Master’s rowers out there. So, first and foremost… a sincere “THANK YOU” to you Bob! Your body-balance training program and calculated approach to ramping up my complete core fitness was without a doubt, incredible.
To the master’s rowers… I am nothing special as far as a rower goes, not an Olympian or anything of the sort, but Bob took my 6’05” 243 lb. frame in 3 months to 220lbs and helped me drop a sad 6:28 2k erg down to solid master’s score in the low 6 minute range at 38 years old.
By the fourth month, he had me racing for Penn AC Masters in the Ladies Plate Challenge at the famed Henley Royal Regatta in England. I was racing with some the best US master’s rowers out there (Grant Nichols, Garrett Klugh, Ivan Smilijac, Jack Nunn and Sebastian Bea). We traded blows with the 2010 defending Henley Champions and 2011 IRA silver medalist, Harvard’s Varsity Heavy 8 who took us in the quarterfinal by just 6 seats, not bad for bunch of old guys with only three (3) full practices together.
Penn AC Ladies Plate Henley 2011
As a bit of background and to really appreciate what Bob did for me in a short 4-month program, you sort of need to look at where I was physically when I started training with Coach Kaehler. I had not truly trained for a rowing race in more than15 years when I prematurely ended my rowing career in pursuit of another athletic goal, sprint kayaking.
In 1997 I switched sports to train with Bob’s former Olympic teammate, Chris Swan on the US Sprint Kayak team for the 2000 Games. During this time I completely changed my ‘rowing body’ into and competitive sprint kayaker’s body. I lost the power in my legs and gained a much larger upper physique. After 2000, I started rowing a bit again, went to the US Trials in 2001 with Brian Klepacki but really was never too competitive again.
Ladies Plate 2011
Between 2001 and 2010 I did the random master races every year but never really took them too serious. I fell into doing long distance triathlons (half Ironmans and full Ironmans) and REALLY started to loose muscle mass. In 2010, I looked like a rower due to my height but the raw rowing power simply was not in me. Due to all this alternative training, Bob felt it was critically important to get my body “balanced” right away.
In the fall of 2010 my former teammate from the 1995 USA Pre-Elite and Olympic Fest Team, Curt Browder, asked my bud, Sebastian Bea (2000 2- USA Olympic Silver Medalist) and I to row in the Penn AC Men’s Master 8 at the Charles. The last time I trained out Penn AC was in 1995. During that fall race, I sort of fell back in love with the sport, in a major way. Sort of a nostalgic mid life crisis thing that I bet many a Master Rower goes through at some point.
After a solid performance in a few fall races, we started chatting about the idea of Henley after seeing rowing legends Porter Collins, Ben Holbrook and Jamie Koven threw down some solid performances in their Brown Alum line-ups. When I learned of the Brown Alum’s using Bob’s program, I quickly gave him a call and got on board.
San Diego Crew Classic 2011
I have done all kinds of training; from Crossfit to personal trainers but what was magic about Bob’s program was it was designed for me, on a daily basis and did not take up too much time. From the detailed erg workouts that built up my base to the lactic work, it was the most efficient program I have ever come across. The first thing I noticed was my strength and after a short month of training we took gold in the Master’s event as Penn AC at the San Diego Crew Classic, I
was really starting to feel much more strong, as if the “hands of father time” were starting to turn back.
After the Crew Classic, we started to get serious, as I was only a few months out from Henley. As the intensity of Bob’s workouts increased, the single most important thing for me, from a motivational perspective, was that I knew who Bob is. I was well aware of what a stud he was in sport of rowing. Knowing how long Bob rowed at an international elite level, well into his thirties… motivated me as to what was physically possible at nearly a Master’s C level of 40 years old.
Ladies Plate - Finish Against Harvard 1V
Coming into the final few weeks, I ventured up to Penn AC for a few weeks to train with their Elites. This was a major wake-up call for me as my first day on the water consisted of us doing race pieces. While it took some time for me to get my timing and technique down… my engine was there. My fitness was never an issue and by the end of my time in Philly, we were trading pieces with Penn AC’s top boats.
The Henley was truly an incredible experience and I recommend it to any Master out there. The Ladies Plate event is very competitive with the likes of Leander, Germany, Ireland, Russia and Imperial in the event.
We posted a time that would have won our event 9 times in the last 20 years. So… once again, THANK YOU BOB! My Henley experience would not have happened without you!
Warner Bonner - Henley 2011
From Back Pain to Back on the Erg
August 3, 2011
High School Athlete PR’s using Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance Program
By Yasemin Watkins
The following is a testimonial from a parent, Mike, and his daughter, Megan, who wanted to share their Body Balance experience with other athletes looking for effective solutions to sports-related injuries. At this time, they wish to keep the personal details (names, etc.) confidential between them and Coach Kaehler.
In rowing terms, Megan’s story is a familiar one. Megan is a varsity rower on a nationally top-five ranked high school team based in Pennsylvania. Megan suffered from severe back pains that greatly limited her ability to participate in key components of her team’s winter training program. Confused yet determined to help his daughter, Megan’s father, Mike, consulted several medical specialists including a pediatric sports doctor and an orthopedic surgeon. Unfortunately, both doctors were unable to relieve Megan’s back pain.
Frustrated, Mike took Megan to one last orthopedic surgeon who then referred them to Coach Kaehler.
“Bob’s reference from an orthopedic surgeon carried a lot of weight,” said Mike. “As a parent, I just wanted to see my daughter be able to continue and progress in a sport she loves.
During our first conversation with Bob, he said that he would need one assessment, and that he was convinced that she would be able to return to rowing in a certain period of time. I was so impressed: he delivered on all his promises.
He did identify the problem; he did it in one meeting; and she did recover in 6 weeks. Best of all, (shortly after) Megan PR’d when she took her 2K erg test.
I felt like he was really looking out for my daughter.”
Regarding the evaluation, Mike commented,
“As Bob walked us through the assessment, he explained the dynamics of the muscles used in rowing and erging – everything made sense.”
Of their overall experience working with Coach Kaehler, Mike had this to say:
“Bob’s own track record, both as a medical professional and as a world-caliber athlete, made him more credible. Bob instilled in Megan a level of confidence to carry out the exercises and return to competitive rowing.
Bottom line: as a parent, I’m tremendously relieved that my daughter can now return to rowing – both competitive and as an activity that she can enjoy for the rest of her life. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend Coach Kaehler to any rower having (training-related) issues.”
**Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance Process is not medical treatment, and he does not treat pain. Body Balance issues are identified and corrected to allow restoration of powerful and pain-free training. All of his client’s have gone through traditional medicine channels first and have been screened by a medial physician (M.D. or D.O.).
Body Balance Process Helps Collegiate Rower Return to Pain-free Rowing!!
July 27, 2011
Georgetown LW V8+
Jamie Koven – 2011 CRASH B’s Champion (30-39 Heavyweight Division)
February 28, 2011
Jamie Koven,
1994 World Champion (8+)
1997 World Champion (1X)
2011 CRASH B’s Champion (30-39 Heavyweight Division)
By Yasemin Watkins for Coach Kaehler
With a competitive rowing career that spans nearly a decade in the 90’s and a recent resurgence in the last three years, Jamie Koven proves that age is no barrier when armed with natural talent, a hard work ethic and a Body-Balanced training program.
A Brown graduate, Koven raced with Bob (Coach) Kaehler in the mid-90’s. Together, they won the 1994 World Championships in the men’s 8+. Later in 1997, Koven won his second World Championship title in the men’s single sculls event. He retired from competitive rowing in 2000 due to a painful back condition. In the fall of 2008, after joining a Brown Reunion Boat for the Royal Henley, Koven consulted Coach Kaehler for a Body Balance evaluation and a personalized conditioning program.
Though Koven’s training situation was typical of most masters rowers — balancing training with work, travel and a young family — his early, consistent and exceptional progress proved more typical of elite rowers. Within 6 months of starting Coach Kaehler’s program, Koven had achieved results he “hadn’t seen since 2000.”
Less than a year later at the Royal Henley, Koven and his Brown Reunion crew finished just short of the finals, then joined the US Rowing boat in the championship 8+ event. The same year, Koven won his division in both the NYC Triathlon and Malibu Olympic Distance Triathlon.
The real eye-opener though was Koven’s inspiring third-place finish, with partner Dan Walsh, in the men’s pair event at the NSR2 held in May 2009 in Mercer, NJ. At 35 years of age, Koven proved that he could once again train, race and win against athletes ten years younger.
Clearly an exceptional athlete by many standards, his progress and mounting string of successes are all the more impressive considering he manages, (through responsive medical treatments not available in 2000) the same back condition that lead to his initial retirement eleven years ago.
Koven comments on training with Coach (Bob) Kaehler:
“I’ve known Bob since 1993 and first raced with him in 1994 when we won the world championships in the Men’s 8+.
When Bob first evaluated me, he found significant deficiencies in my core strength and a complete lack of flexibility. By building up my core strength, and increasing my flexibility, I have been able to reduce the strain on my back and ribs.
Bob’s approach (to training) was different (from others) because the focus was on efficiency. What was the most efficient way to get me back into shape while also allowing me to focus on my career and family? The workouts had very specific targets. They were not always maximum effort, but they were targeted. Bob helped me to focus on nutrition, recovery and stretching, which were things that I had mistakenly taken for granted when I was younger.
In the first year of training, I wanted to build slowly so that it was not disruptive to my work and family. In the second year, I had a base to build on and needed to step it up a bit and Bob helped me do so in a way that was still efficient.
I enjoy working with Bob. I raced with him for 3 years in the mid-nineties so I know him quite well. He is patient, hard-working and confident in his approach. He is also willing to adapt his program to my specific needs. He is always available by email or phone for follow-up questions. He typically responds within a day.
Since I am now training full-time with the US national team, I am sticking to their program, but there are a lot of similarities as Bob has drawn from his experience as a US team member, and has also influenced the team’s training by working with many of the athletes as a coach.”
Asked if he would recommend Coach Kaehler’s programs to others, Koven responds, “absolutely.”
Coach Kaehler and his team congratulate Koven on his recent win at the CRASH B’s, and wish him continuing success as his come-back story continues to unfold.
15 Years and Still Rowing Stronger
October 28, 2010
Rower Jan Stone wins first single’s title at
the 2010 Head of the Charles
By YASEMIN WATKINS, Thurs Oct 28, 2010
Some stories are constantly unfolding.
When rower Jan Stone won two events (W1X and W8+) at the 2010 FISA World Rowing Masters Championship last August, we (at Coach Kaehler), hesitated to post her write-up. We felt that Stone’s story was still developing: that there was yet more to tell.
And there was.
Last weekend, at the 2010 Head of the Charles, Stone hoisted her first Witte trophy for her win in the Senior Veteran Singles event. Held in Boston, MA, the Head of the Charles (HOCR) is the world’s largest two-day head race. The regatta attracts over 8,000 athletes from around the world, who compete in 55 different races.
Stone turned 70 this year. 2010 marked her 10th year straight rowing in the regatta in the singles category.
And she’s just getting started.
Jan Stone 2010 HOCR Awards
Stone, who together with her husband Harold, split their time between Princeton NJ and Bellevue WA, first started rowing in 1995 with the Carnegie Lake Rowing Association (CLRA). Although she learned to scull in her first season, it wasn’t until five years later that she purchased a single, and gradually shifted her focus from sweep rowing to sculling.
The transition went smoothly. For 15 years, Stone enjoyed “a relatively injury-free career with only a few over-use injuries.” Naturally flexible, her conditioning routine included regular yoga classes, “low-level lifting” and plenty of additional stretching “to stay loose.”
Her approach to training was about to change however, when she attended USRowing’s Fantasy Camp in 2009, and listened to guest speaker Coach Kaehler’s presentation on Body-Balanced conditioning.
Stone started to reconsider the routine she had followed for years.
“I realized then that just working out in general is not good enough,” said Stone. “I was immediately persuaded by Bob’s discussion on how one must know one’s own weak areas and work first on those, before strength training can be really effective. “
“I wanted to see more improvements from my strength training,” added Stone.
No longer satisfied with her current routine, she consulted Kaehler for a Body Balance evaluation.
“I was very surprised on how specific it was,” said Stone of Kaehler’s evaluation. “His comments about my weaknesses resonated perfectly with my own perceptions. He gave me a few focused stretches and exercises; enough that I have kept with them and incorporated them into my regular workouts.”
“I noticed improved posture and core strength more quickly than I expected. And that encouraged me to hold onto and extend my improvements.”
One improvement led to another.
“These improvements freed me to focus on the finer points of sculling, such as technique,” added Stone.
Stone is quick to extend additional credit to coach Steve Dani at the Pocock Training Center, for helping her refine her sculling technique, as well as her training counselor Marlene Royle.
Stone’s refined conditioning program, combined with her commitment and hard work paid off over and over again in a stellar 2010 season, culminating with a career-topping win at the Head of the Charles.
I asked Stone how she celebrated her win-of-a-lifetime. “Thrilled” with her win, Stone answered in her usual low-key, under-stated manner, “I celebrated my HOCR victory with an egg sandwich at a favorite grill … then helped my hosts’ daughters break in their plasma bikes. Later there was a bottle of very good wine.”
A win at the Charles is a tough act to follow. But I couldn’t resist asking the burning question all the same: what now Jan Stone?
“After a short break, I will move into my winter training, concentrating on maintaining and improving my strength and endurance,” she answered. “I want to stay healthy and strong, and keep rowing for a very long time.”
Naturally.
Watch for more celebratory egg sandwiches as Stone’s exceptional story continues to unfold on the water.
Coach Kaehler and his team congratulate Stone on her inspiring 2010 Charles win!
High School Athlete PR’s on 2k Erg
May 28, 2010
Athlete Profile of the Month
“Now when I present myself to coaches, I feel like an athlete.
Not a junior rower” – Olivia McShea, 17, Peddie School
By Yasemin Watkins
Olivia McShea was a developing junior rower looking to sustain the momentum she established during an intensive rowing camp in the summer of ‘09. To continue her progress, she set aggressive goals for the 2010 C.R.A.S.H. B’s. Olivia and her mother, Anne Marie McShea, turned to Coach Kaehler for a training program tailored to help Olivia meet her objectives.
“I love his attitude,” said Olivia of training with Coach Kaehler. “I’m a positive person, and I want to be around positive people.”
“Before (Coach Kaehler’s program), I thought I was a strong rower, compared to the club team. It turned out I had a lot of weaknesses. Not only did Coach Kaehler make me stronger, but he also gave me the tools to transfer this knowledge to the rowing stroke.”
“(During the program), I lost a lot of weight … gained better posture … felt more athletic . I became more confident.”
Of her decision to consult Coach Kaehler to design the program that would help daughter Olivia meet her goals for the C.R.A.S.H. B’s and beyond, Mrs. McShea commented, “He’s an athlete’s coach. There’s no one better.”
“He looks at you individually, and helps address hurdles. He shares his knowledge of training and development. Now, Olivia can keep this knowledge forever.”
Using Coach Kaehler’s three-month training program Olivia subsequently dropped more than 20 seconds on her 2K score at the 2010 CRASH B’s.
Congratulations Olivia!
Collegiate rower is able to resume strenuous training!
March 29, 2010
Coach Kaehler’s Body Balance program is an excellent process to help get through back pain and back to rowing. The entire process is very transparent and the exercises and stretches are explained in ways that make sense and help the athlete understand the source of the pain rather than just treating the symptoms. After seeing Coach Kaehler for a Body Balance evaluation I was back on the erg in 3 weeks, and 4 weeks after that I was able to complete a strenuous winter training trip with no pain. The Body Balance program is definitely worthwhile for anyone who is struggling with back pain and wants to get back to rowing without it.
Hugh – Collegiate Rower
Testimonials from the December 13th “Strength Training for Rowers” Clinic
December 17, 2009
“Bob Kaehler’s clinic is an excellent opportunity for any rower aspiring to improve their performance. As a certified strength and conditioning specialist who has worked with professional athletes as well as young school-aged athletes, I regularly attend clinics throughout the year in an effort to stay at the top of my field. I can unequivocally state that Bob Kaehler’s rowing strength seminar was as good as I’ve ever attended.”
Comments about the presentation format:
“Excellent presentation and extremely personable with all participants. It was very professional but delivered in an informal manner that created an optimal learning environment”
Comments on the value of this all day event:
“Excellent value given world-class athletic background combined with physical therapy and strength and conditioning credentials.”
Bryan Briddell, CSCS
Owner/Director Saratoga Peak Performance