I picked up a barbell for the first time in about 1966 when my brothers bought a set from a local department store. It was the first time the world made sense to me and I have been lifting and throwing things since that day. And I thought I knew it all until I ventured out to the RKC training in San Jose. Newly humbled, I have begun a new journey of learning and lifting.
If you are interested in a lot of articles and three (and soon, four) free books, head over to my website. You can also read my work here at dragondoor.com in the articles and magazines like Men's Health. If you sneak over the border into Utah and want to work out, give me a shout.
If you need my official "bio," I usually send this out:
Dan John is the Strength Coach and Head Track and Field Coach at Juan Diego Catholic High School in Draper, Utah and a full-time on-line religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri and contributing writer to "Men's Health." Originally from South San Francisco, Dan came to Utah to throw the discus for Utah State University and never left. Dan has Masters degrees in history and in religious education, as well as intensive work at the American University in Cairo, University of Haifa, and Cornell. Dan has written articles for "Catechetical Update" and "Utah Historical Quarterly," as well as being a columnist for the Intermountain Catholic. In addition, Dan writes articles for a variety of strength magazines and publishes a little newsletter called "Get Up" which registers up to a quarter of a million hits a month. Dan has been teaching for over twenty-nine years.
At home, he is humbled by his lovely wife, Tiffini, whose middle name is not "long suffering" no matter how often it is repeated and his two daughters, Kelly and Lindsay. At home, Dan wins arguments with the dog.
Currently, Dan is the reigning 50+ Master Pleasanton Highland Games champ, holds the American Record in the Weight Pent and holds numerous National Championships in weightlifting and throwing and maintains a full-time free internet coaching site.
Dan John: Images
Lead from the Front. This is me teaching an NFL player the "Overhead Squat into a Sprint" workout.
This is how I train myself to tell my kids that I walked uphill in the snow to school...
The Highland Games!!!
Although it looks like I am teaching, I learn more from my students...
These are my girls...only one Tiara in this picture...
Customer reviews of:
Dan John
Average Rating: 10.0 in 6 reviews
Strength Training's Most Elite
Rated 10 out of 10
Coach Dan John is a true legend in the strength training world. His biography above is replete with omissions when it comes to listing his achievements, and his presentation at the San Jose RKC left every participant (both students and instructors) fighting to get into the room... and thank God that the Fire Marshall was nowhere nearby. Coach Dan John has a singular ability to communicate the foggiest concepts of strength training and high performance athletics in a no-nonsense, easily accessible manner.
Whether you're a first timer or an Olympic gold medalist, you'd be well served to seek out instruction from Coach Dan John and study his writings. I hope that the RKC workshops bring him back to lecture often!
Dr. Mark Cheng, RKC Team Leader - Los Angeles, CA USA - www.kettlebellslosangeles.com
Coach Dan John is a true Mentor
Rated 10 out of 10
Over the last 5 years I have been fortunate enough to listen to Coach Dan John speak a handful of times. I am just starting to hear what he is saying. He came to my facility and wowed my clients, family, friends, and myself for the entire weekend. We learned the RKC program minimum minimum. I have been to 4 different RKC's and the Kettlebell Convention in 2005 and he was still able to simplify and clarifly the program. AMAZING! He is the trainer's trainer. The Coach's Coach. His techniques make complex movements simple, he can turn easy to understand programs in to brutal workouts. I don't write well enough to give him the honor and praise he deserves. If you ever get the chance to listen to him speak, take notes. I would highly recommend reading his writings, and attending a seminar immediately.
C. James Sjostrom - Salt Lake City, UT
He has the heart of a teacher
Rated 10 out of 10
That is one of the highest complements that I can give any person as an instructor. I was on Dan's team at the fall 2009 St Paul RKC certification. As someone who has been both a student and a teacher myself in several capacities, I have a great appreciation when I identify someone who has the "heart of a teacher"--a person that views his students as an individual people, carefully identifies their needs, and makes it his goal that they learn what's necessary to improve. He is patient, and in the words of Einstein..."makes everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." Like Pavel, he is entertaining as well.
I feel that I did well under his leadership at RKC, and am grateful for his contribution to the many things I learned there.
I hope that RKC makes much use of Dan in future certifications, as he is an asset to the system. If you have the opportunity to let him coach you or hear him speak, I suggest you do so. You will be glad you did.
John A. Howlett, RKC - Tennessee
Captivating...
Rated 10 out of 10
Coach Dan John is one of the most personable, amiable, and entertaining of teachers I have ever had the pleasure of being taught by. He has a remarkable ability of taking complex movements/concepts and repackaging them in a more simplified manner for his students/clients. What is also so amazing about working with Coach Dan John is his ability to illustrate the crucial subtleties of apparently simple movements that are so important for an instructor to effectively train his/her client. His instruction and guidance is well worth the trip to Utah and I eagerly look forward to training with him again.
Adam Kantelas - North Ridgeville, OH
Simple; NOT Easy
Rated 10 out of 10
Thank you Coach! Your experience and ability greatly enhanced my experience at the Sept '09 RKC. You simplified the complex making learning more digestible. Nothing was easy, but your support made it all bearable - even fun! I can't imagine having a better Team Leader; you have forgotten more than many can or will learn. You have this wonderfully distilled knowledge base that is incredible, complete and pertinent to all athletes; and we are all athletes. Top it all off with humor, delivery and directness - The Coach of coaches.
It was an honor to be your student! I can't thank you enough!
Steve Rowe, RKC - West Haven, CT
Awesome Coach and Teacher
Rated 10 out of 10
I hade the honor of assisting Coach Dan John at the Sept 2009 RKC. He is an outstanding coach/teacher. His personality and style made it a great experience for me as an assistant and for the candidates. He takes things that are very complicated and teaches them in such an easy way and shows you how to make it easy too. There were many moments while assisting him that things became even clearer for me. He easily relates the principle of the RKC system to athletic movements which again, helps make it easier to see the importance of it and how it all ties together.
He also spoke to the whole group about what the RKC is. Again, it was outstanding. He is a great speaker and I would highly recommend that if you get a chance to listen to him speak, that you do, you won't regret it.
Dan, thank you for making my experience as an assistant the best it could have been.
Dustin Miller, RKC II - Chicago, IL
