Catherine Buck

profilephoto01-001370000076YghAAEHi! I'm Cat.

I believe everyone can experience life-changing transformation through the dedicated skill practice of strength training.

I first started training with kettlebells in 2014 when my husband and I opened our gym, Krav Maga Seattle. I earned my SFG1 in 2015, completed the SFB in 2016, the SFG2 in 2017, the SFL in 2018, and achieved StrongFirst Elite status in 2019. Over the years, I've coached hundreds of students at our gym in addition to assisting and leading teams at StrongFirst certifications and workshops.

In my twenties, I struggled with food and exercise. I felt lost, frustrated, and trapped. I knew I needed to build a positive relationship with my body and upgrade my emotional self-image.

Learning the skill of strength and achieving my first StrongFirst instructor certification (the SFG1) changed the course of my life. Through learning from my coaches and mentors, immersing myself in the StrongFirst system, and sharing it with others, I discovered the power of dedicated, disciplined training.

I went from being someone who was always “working out” to being an athlete who trains for goals and practices skills.

My goal as a coach is to lead others to live happier, more fulfilled lives through working towards strength goals and overcoming self-limiting beliefs. I lead by example and teach others to achieve their full potential using the tools of strength training, nutrition, and self-reflection.

Through the discipline of strength training, we can learn and master all the skills necessary to become our most powerful, confident selves.

In addition to being a certified instructor under StrongFirst, NASM, Ground Force Method, Flexible Steel, and TRX, I am also a Precision Nutrition Level 1 certified nutrition coach.

For skill-focused kettlebell tips that will make you stronger, subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CatChau

For FREE kettlebell training programs, workouts, tips, and a beginner kettlebell buyer's guide, go here:
https://www.catandchau.com/free/

Learn the basics in my Kettlebell 101 course and get your training done with an ever-growing library of full-body kettlebell workouts here (7-day free trial): https://learnkettlebells.com/

Apply for one-on-one or small group coaching with me here: https://www.catandchau.com/apply/

When I'm not at the gym, you can find me traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, and simply enjoying the outdoors with my husband Chau and our Rhodesian Ridgeback Gracie.


CERTIFICATIONS
- StrongFirst Team Leader Elite
- StrongFirst Certified SFG Level 2 Kettlebell Instructor
- StrongFirst Certified SFL Barbell Instructor
- StrongFirst Certified SFB Bodyweight Instructor
- NASM-CPT
- Ground Force Method Level 2 Instructor
- Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified
- Flexible Steel Level 1 Instructor
- TRX® Suspension Trainer Instructor
- American Heart Association Certified Heartsaver First Aid / CPR / AED
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Contact

Accepting new students. Training offered online.
Website: https://www.catandchau.com/
Contact: Click to contact

REVIEWS FOR CATHERINE BUCK


Tin
February 7, 2024
I have known Cat for many years, and during the pandemic I was looking for a way to stay active so I gave her online kettlebell videos a try. Three years later, kettlebells have become my go-to for a quick and efficient workout to get and stay fit and strong. I continue to regularly do her workout videos, both old and new, and have also taken her live Zoom classes, as well as one on one classes. Her energy, knowledge and ability to motivate and teach are incredible. I would highly recommend her as a coach to anyone looking to learn kettlebell skills and build strength in a fun and engaging way!

Geoff Nordling
January 23, 2024
Training with Cat has been a game-changer in my fitness journey. She stands out with her meticulous attention to detail: her online videos are by far the best I've seen, specifically for their focus on correct form and technique. Goodbye: random YouTube person telling me to do bizarre movements I don't really understand. Hello: truly professional instruction!

Nicholas Allen
September 19, 2023
Cat is the one who introduced me to Kettlebells and Strongfirst, and I cannot overstate the extent to which it, and she has changed my life for the better!

I watched her absolutely fantastic "Introduction to Kettlebell" series on her website, which teaches the six basic kettlebell lifts, during a cross-country road trip across the United States in 2021. I'd learn a new lift each night, so I learned the swing in Washington, the get-up in Montana, the press in Idaho, etc. Then, I worked with her one-on-one to prepare me for the SFG 1 test. Her knowledge was deeply impressive, and I graduated from 16kg to double 24kg in the span of a few months. Her programming was excellent, and at 155lbs, I crushed all the SFG tests with 24kg except for the snatch test.

She was so encouraging and supportive even when I didn't pass and had the courage, maturity, and integrity to refer me to other instructors who were local to me and could help me perfect my snatch test. I passed SFG 1 in June 2023, 2 years after I started training, and there's no way I could have done it without her. She was so supportive even when I wasn't working directly with her. Thanks to Cat and Strongfirst, I'm faster, stronger, and more confident than I've ever been before.

Anyone would be lucky to work with her; I cannot recommend her highly enough!

Trevor Egan
August 29, 2023
I would recommend working with Cat to anyone!

She has the ability to combine an extensive knowledge base of StrongFirst principles into bite sized pieces that are easy to understand for any level and is willing to meet you where you are at in your journey. On top of that she brings a high energy to everything she does and genuinely cares for her students well being and success.

I've had the pleasure of attending workshops and mentorship sessions with Cat and I feel like I've only scratched the surface of what she can offer. I'm excited to learn more through her amazing coaching!

Hugo Mendez
August 21, 2023
I first heard about coach Cat through YouTube while I was preparing myself to start training for my level 2 kettlebell certification.

The things that quickly stood out the most for me were: 1.- ample knowledge of the StrongFirst philosophy, 2.- great teaching skills and 3.- an amazing personality.

After devouring all of the videos in her channel, I reached out to introduce myself and later I hired her to help me improve my programming skills. I am now working with her to help me get my kettlebell level 2 certification.

Her level of knowledge, attention to detail and teaching style are so rare these days. Besides...learning from her is super fun. I always look forward to our zoom sessions.

I am looking forward to keep growing as a StrongFirst coach with her guidance.

I can not recommend her highy enough

Hugo
Kettlebell Level 1 instructor

Brian Hurst
August 7, 2023
Working with Cat is simply incredible! She has everything you're looking for in a good coaching experience: Strength, humility, knowledge gained through experience, and a story of her own that is relatable to anyone anywhere along their own journey; i.e. facing adversity & CHOOSING to overcome it!
Whether it has been through attending workshops, certifications, or any other interaction, I am always learning from & gaining respect for Cat!

Rick Armstrong
August 5, 2023
Cat is one of the best coaches I've ever had the pleasure of training under in almost 20 years. Her attention to detail, knowledge of techniques, focus on form, and absolute clear instruction puts her at the top of the mark. I absolutely love training sessions with her at the helm, and highly recommend her to anyone seeking results. You will see big gains.

Shobit
August 4, 2023
I've attended several of Cat's in-person kettlebell workshops, virtual group classes, and also taken 1:1 personal barbell coaching sessions. From this, I know that Cat is an outstanding, passionate, friendly, and inspiring coach. She has vast and deep knowledge and she gets this across very effectively, no matter your level or previous training experience.

Her workshops and group classes are challenging yet fun, where she brings great energy (and humor!) like no other coach that I've worked with. I found the 1:1 sessions with her custom-made programs to be very well-designed, which have helped me get to new PRs safely and without injury.

I highly recommend Coach Cat.

Ryan
August 4, 2023
I’ve known Cat since I first started taking Krav in 2014 and her enthusiasm and attention to detail are unmatched. She is always learning and growing which makes her a dynamic instructor as she can draw from multiple disciplines during coaching which is awesome. I started training SF with her and have continued to grow and take additional focused workshops with her to hone my technique.

Since training kettlebells I’ve found I have less lower back pain and generally stronger as the dynamic nature of the exercises require full body involvement. If you’re looking for an all star coach you just found her.

Jenn
August 3, 2023
Love this lady!! She is the most inspirational and encouraging ❤️ ? when I struggle with movement she is always there to break down the movement for me so I succeed and understand it. ✨️

Neal
August 3, 2023
Cat is an excellent instructor! I have been training with her for several months since I discovered her and Chau on YouTube. She is very patient and clear teaching me the fundamentals of kettlebell training. She also gives very detailed and usable tips
for me to improve my kettlebell skills. Her training plan has really been a game changer for me by allowing me to get a good workout in while also improving my form and fitness level and keeping things interesting with some variety sprinkled in!

Coach Karen
August 3, 2023
It has been an honor to watch Cat grow both as a student and a coach. She has attended certs I’ve taught, trained with me privately and mostly recently assisted me as a team leader at a certification. She is dedicated to her own movements and so passionate about coaching others. She had a great eye for the details in coaching and I look forward to seeing her continue to help others move better and become the best versions of themselves.

Amanda N.
August 3, 2023
There are few people that I have trained with that have the level of passion and attention to detail that Catherine does. I had the opportunity to learn from Catherine during my SFG II certification. She cares and it shows. She is energetic and offered up her expertise in order to help each student not only get better for themselves but know what to look for in their students in order to help better their practice. If you are in her area and are interested in training with kettlebells or improving the skills you already have, I recommend reaching out to her here. She is a solid instructor.

Leslie
August 1, 2023
I have been working remotely with Cat for seven months, and she's helped in more ways and at more levels than I can mention here. I'm 61 years old, and I knew I needed some balanced guidance and coaching from someone who understood or respected my own quirks, worries, and challenges. Cat is amazing. She's intuitive, intelligent, and knowledgeable, and she has already guided me into hugely increased strength and much better health. I am SO very grateful for what she knows, what she does, and most of all, how she does it. I'm thinking bigger than I expected to about my own health, strength, and skill level just because of Cat! There is a lot of noise and information 'out there' and a lot of so-called experts, but having a pro like Cat guiding me filters it all down into what is relevant and valid for me and my goals.

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