Coach Spotlight: Nick Koldewey

Coach: Nick “Tank” Koldewey (That is a real nick-name)

What do your parents or spouse call you when you are in trouble?

My wife will yell, “BABE!” Could be worse…

Do you have any embarrassing nicknames? What are they?

My nickname on my first rugby team in high school was “Princess.” I’ll let y’all figure that one out…

What actor or actress would you like to play you in a movie?

I’ll go with the TV show: Vikings. And the actor Travis Fimmel who plays Ragnar Lothbrok – Duh.

How long have you been coaching?

I have been coaching on and off in some capacity since I was 20.

Have you had other careers, or currently work in another field? What are they?

I work in the private security sector. Top Secret shit. Don’t ask questions.

If you could time travel back to when you first started coaching, what advice would you give yourself?

Grow your beard earlier so people take you seriously.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not working or training?

Choke my weak-ass brother out on the BJJ mats. (I hope you read this, Matthew.)

What is your favorite lift?

Squat

Where do you live?

Merica

What is your favorite animal print?

Camouflage – Duh again.

Gym cat, dog or something else?

dog

How long have you been training?

28 Years.

What is the most embarrassing moment from any dark days of “lifting” that you may have had?

I almost went to a yoga class once… Not proud of that. But it feels good to be honest and open.

What do you love about training? 

I love lifting in my own gym, Blue Ridge Barbell. #ShamelessPlug

What do you love about coaching? 

I love coaching in my own gym, Blue Ridge Barbell. #ShamelessPlug (I can do two of these, right?)

What lifting achievement are you most proud of?

Yesterday, I didn’t feel like training, BUT DID ANYWAYS.

Boom.

Would you rather magically increase each of your PRs by 20%, or magically increase one of your lifts by 100%?

Magically increase each of my PRs by 20%.

Would you rather not have to eat food and have your ideal body composition, or get to eat 6,000 calories per day and have your ideal body composition?

Not have to eat food and have my ideal body composition.

How many lifting-related shirts do you own? 

0-10

What or who gets you to train when your motivation is really low?

Myself… 30 years in the future who decided to skip out on training too many times and is now weak, overweight, and bald. “But Nick, you are already…”

Fat!? I know give me a break.

Pre-workout of choice

Gun powder and black coffee

What are some of your go-to lifting songs?

“Bottom Feeder” by Parkway Drive, “Alpha & Omega” by King 810, “I Am the Lion” by Phinehas, and “Hit Me Baby One More Time” by: Britney, bitch.

What is the most embarrassing song you like?

“Higher” by Creed. Not even embarrassed. Put 1/2 a beer in me and hand me the karaoke mic.

What’s one of your personal lifting superstitions?

Every time you put mismatched plates on each side of the barbell, M. Night Shyamalan makes another movie. If you do that in my gym, you will be thrown out imminently. For everyone’s sake, please… Please don’t do that.  

What are some of your lifting-related goals for this year? 

Today, I would like to get my training in and not miss any lifts. How’s that?

Do you plan on competing in a meet this year? If so, what are your goals?

I’m waiting for the USCRC (United States Calf Raise Competition) to open up and I’ll compete in that.

Can someone go ahead and start that up?

What have you learned about yourself from barbell training?

That I am, in fact, a giant pansy.

Who is someone you’d love to try barbell training and why?

Optimus Prime. Do I really have to explain why?

Do you have a role model? Who is it and why?

Paul Howe – Just look up a picture and then you can explain to me why he is not your role model.

That’s what I thought. You’re welcome for giving you your new role model.

Dead or alive, who would you love to lift with?

 William Wallace

If BLOC made a yearbook, which do you think you’d most likely win?

Largest Calfs – Duh, again.

How much do you love to eat? 1 – It’s a chore … 5 – What are we eating next???

3

What’s your favorite meal? Please use as much detail as possible.

The Diner “Blue Plate” Special – Burger from a place nearby called “Melt.” Conveniently placed right next to the BJJ gym I train at, which is a problem some days and a solution on others.

Premium Beef Burger topped with Apple-wood Smoked Bacon, Homemade Pimento Cheese, Fresh Lettuce, Red Ripe Tomato, a Sunny-Side-Up Fried Egg and Our Special House Sauce.*

*Taken right off the website. You’re welcome.

What was your favorite childhood TV show?

Batman: The Animated Series

What is a movie that you have watched over and over and over again?

Black Hawk Down (waaaaay to many times)

Tell us your best dad joke. 

Lifter 1: “Man, I am just feeling so down today.”

Lifter 2: “Sounds like you need to bench press, dude.”

Lifter 1: “Why’s that?”

Lifter 2: “Well, it always helps me get some things off my chest.”

What advice do you have for a new lifter? Or a lifter who’s been doing this a while? 

Stop setting goals. Goals are for millennials. Instead, live your values each day. Your only value in the gym is to get 1% better than yesterday. That’s it. Focus on that and you will have plenty of work to do.

Anything else you would like to share with your BLOC brethren and sistren? 

If you do not have a coach yet, stop wasting time and get one. You’ll be better for it. Everyone needs a coach. No exceptions.

You think mailmen deliver their own mail? Or barbers cut their own hair? You don’t know how to train yourself – trust me. Get a damn coach.