Taco Fleur Bio

• Qualifications
• Introduction
• Business Achievements
• Personal Bests
• Experience
• Testimonials
• Personal Achievements
• Personal

Qualifications

• StrongFirst Certified Kettlebell Instructor (SFG)
• Russian Girevoy Sport Institute Kettlebell Coach
• International Kettlebell Sport and Fitness Academy Certified Kettlebell Coach
• International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation Certified Kettlebell Teacher
• Kettlebell Sport Rank 1
• HardstyleFit Kettlebell Level 1 Instructor
• CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
• CrossFit Judges Certificate
• CrossFit Lesson Planning Certificate
• Kettlebells Level 2 Trainer
• Kettlebell Science and Application
• MMA Fitness Level 2
• MMA Conditioning Level 1
• BJJ Purple Belt
• and more…

Introduction

My name is Taco Fleur. The first thing I’d like you to know about me is that I do not know everything, I don’t pretend to know everything, and I never will. I’m on a path of lifelong learning. I believe there is always something to learn from someone, no matter who they are.

I’ve been physically active since the day I arrived on this earth in 1973. I got serious about training in 1999, touched a kettlebell for the first time in 2004, and got serious about kettlebell training in 2009. I’m here to do what I love most, and that is to share my knowledge with the world.

I currently live in beautiful Greece. I’m half a century of age and getting fitter and stronger every year, I don’t tend to change that perspective either. Age is just a number.

Owner of Cavemantraining and IKU™ (International Kettlebell University), Author on BoxRox. Featured in 4 issues of the Iron Man magazine. I have owned and set up 3 functional kettlebell gyms in Australia and Vietnam, and lived in the Netherlands, Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, Tanzania, Albania, and I’m currently living in Greece.

But as always, none of that really matters, it’s about how well I bring across my knowledge and how I’m able to break down complex things and create step-by-step progressions. I’m not too fuzzed on numbers and achievements, it’s about what I can do for others. To be truly happy in life one should focus on building up others, of course, one has to build themselves up first before doing so.

Business Achievements

For IKU™ and Cavemantrainig™ my business achievements are:

• Written and published over 20 books on Amazon.
• Created over 10 courses and certifications some of which are accredited by NASM.
• Served over 20,000 kettlebell students.
• Established and currently managing many online kettlebell communities with over 100,000 members combined.
• Filmed and produced over 3,000 kettlebell videos.
• Established and growing a targetted kettlebell email list with over 25,000 subscribers.
• Developed over 50 kettlebell products and services.
• Designed over 5 kettlebell websites related to the business.

Personal Bests

Some of my personal bests are:

• 30 consecutive days of Kettlebell Strength training
• 36kg Hardstyle Snatch
• 2 × 28kg/62lb (total 56kg/124lb) half snatch
• 1 hour unbroken clean and jerk with a 16kg/35lb
• 45 minutes unbroken clean and jerk with a 20kg/44lb
• 400 burpees performed within one hour
• 500 kettlebell snatches, 500 swings, and 500 double-unders completed in one session
• 250 alternating dead clean and presses in one session with 20kg/44lb
• 200 pull-ups in one session
• 200 unbroken kettlebell swings with a 28kg/62lb
• Most kettlebell swings completed in one session with a 28kg/62lb (1,501)
• Most total kettlebell swings completed in 28 days with a 28kg/62lb (11,111)
• Windmill with a 40kg/88lb kettlebell
• Chest press with two 40kg/88lb dumbbells (total 80kg)
• Lugged a 16kg/35lb kettlebell up a 3,479m mountain
• 160kg deadlift
• 50 CrossFit Burpees and 100 single-arm swings unbroken in 5:34
• 100 snatches on sand with a 24kg/53lb kettlebell
• 85kg Olympic Squat Snatch
• 300 unbroken clean and jerk with 20kg/44lb kettlebell
• 10-minute unbroken clean and jerk 80 reps with 2 × 16kg/35lb kettlebells
• 532 unbroken snatches and achieved rank 2 in kettlebell sport
• 100 TGUs @ 20kg/44lb in one session

I mention these PBs not to boast but to demonstrate that I have a good understanding of technique and movement across different areas.

My own training and goals are geared around GPP (General Physical Preparedness), which mostly involves kettlebell training, calisthenics, and mobility work.

I like high-volume reps but I also like greasing the groove now and again. My main goals are to remain as agile and mobile as possible, to train in as many planes of movement as possible, and to learn as many different exercise combinations and movements as possible while having fun and enjoying other ways of movement such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I’m no Arnold Schwarzenegger and never will be, but strength is not solely defined by physical appearance and huge bulging muscles.

You can discover more about my training, philosophy, and other ramblings on the Cavemantraining YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/Cavemantraining, which as of this writing has over 65,000 subscribers and more than 20 million views.

Experience

• Analyst
• Programmer
• Graphic Designer
• Video Editor
• Group fitness
  • CrossFit
  • Cross Training
  • Kettlebells
  • Boot Camp
  • Interval Training / Tabata
  • Circuit Training
  • Strength Training
  • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Gym Owner
• Project Management
• Product Development
• Blogger
• Personal Training
• Social Media
• Search Engine Optimization
• Entrepreneur
• All-round IT nerd

Testimonials

Wanted to say thanks to the man Taco Fleur, I’ve been in the shadows studying and applying his expertise for years. Taco, the books and content you have provided have really pushed me ahead in my golf fitness kettlebell coaching. Appreciate you.

Christian Henning

So since I’m new in the game I try to learn as much as I can, which I’m very humble about since there is endless of information out there. Which also lead me to Cavemantraining. I like the hybrid style that doesn’t forces you in any corner (hardstyle or sportstyle).

The camps is an amazing opportunity and if you put the effort in and interact Taco will give you extremely good feedback to perfect your form. Interacting in the group is also really great and will push you doing things you didn’t think was possible. One example is that I started doing Turkish Get ups in the motivational camp in December last year. Now I’m half way through the Loki Passage of Asgard with ultimate set of 100 reps at 24 kg. Something I could only dream of back in December!

I’ve done the fundamentals certification through Cavemantraining and found out my weakness was my Cleans. So I’m really looking forward of perfecting my form during this camp. I also went with the L.3.0 certification to make sure i keep the accountability and progress as I should, or I might skip parts I don’t really like but that is crucial.

Filip Nyman

I ll fully support this – I am one of those people who keep coming back for the camps… 💪 this is going to be my fourth one!

The content you get and the value you get for this price is just about unparalleled to anything i ve seen from other organizations.

The feedback you get from Taco Fleur and many of the Camp Participants is awesome and very detailed, the participants push each other in a positive way to not only reach but often far exceed any goals they set themselves and there is no negative talk or bashing whatsoever – no matter if you are a total beginner or already an expert! Everyone is supportive and helps everyone else to learn, progress and grow! 👍💪👍

I owe a lot of my personal achievements over the last 4 months to Taco and his camps.

Philipp Wolf

Personal Achievements

1987 → Ran a newspaper route at age 14

(bloody oath yeah, that’s an achievement, you don’t see or hear of this anymore these days due to stupid laws that prevent teenagers from experiencing what it’s like to work for money and have responsibilities)

1989 → Joined the military (Dutch Royal Airforce) voluntarily at age 16

1996 → Moved to Spain

1997→ Opened first IT business with no prior experience

1998 → Walked the Camino Del Rey when it was still worth doing and dangerous

1999 → Swam through the Camino Del Rey (El Chorro) from start to end

2000 → Went canyoning in the Sierra Nevada

2000 → Went canyoning in the Rio Verde

2001 → Created an awesome son

2001 → Moved the family to the other side of the world, Australia

2003 → Opened second IT business

2004 → Opened our first fitness business

2005 → Ran up Mt Warning in Australia

2006 → Participated in the 100k Bribie Island Multi-Sport race

2007 → Participated in Hells Bells 24-hour adventure race

2009 → Opened our first gym

2009 → Started Cavemantraining

2010 → Opened the second gym

2010 → Completed Tough Mudder (the toughest event on the planet, but not really)

2010 → Muay Thai amateur fight

2011 → Competed in several BJJ tournaments, obtained Gold and Silver

2011 → Trekked up Mt Sapa, the highest mountain in Vietnam

2014 → Moved the family to Vietnam

2014 → Opened third gym in Vietnam

2015 → Moved the family to Thailand

2015 → Moved the family to Spain

2016 → Trekked up the highest mountain (3,478 m) in Spain with a 16kg kb wearing flipflops

2019 → Our son moved back to Australia

2020 → We moved to Italy

2021 → We moved to Tanzania

2022 → We moved to Albania

2023 → We moved to Greece

PERSONAL

I describe myself as a down to earth unconventional fitness coach with a sarcastic sense of humor who goes against the grain, I’ve never been a follower, I’ve never been afraid to be controversial, and I’m not scared to admit when I’m wrong, I put honesty first, and always keen to learn more.

I don’t believe in the way the majority of society currently operates, I’ve never been able to blindly be a follower and believe everything I’m told, I have to explore, and I have to see for myself what is possible and what is not. I learned a long time ago that if I believed what the media tries to force-feed me I would be a very unhappy and unhealthy person right now. Instead, I’m a very happy and healthy person who enjoys life and does not watch or read the news.

The most important things in my life are my family (wife, son, father who’s now deceased, and rascal of a Frenchie), kettlebells, mountains, waterfalls, forests, and anything fitness-related. I love everything I do, what most see as work I don’t consider work, it’s my life, I love working with people, and seeing them progress and reach their goals.

I don’t easily take anybody’s word for it, I like to experience things myself, I do my research, and when I do, I make sure I read a lot of people’s opinions rather than just one. I suggest anyone do the same, don’t even take my word for it, I can be wrong too. When I am, pull me up on it.

I don’t like just one style of music, I like many good songs across different genres, opera, classical, ’80s, 90’s, dubstep, hard rock, heavy metal, and more. I don’t care in what category it is, I care about it speaking to me, and getting enjoyment from it.

Like with my music, my training is the same, although I favor the kettlebell more than anything else, there is no particular style I’m attached to, there are things I like and things I don’t like from each style, I take what I like and create my Caveman style. Like with my running, I can’t run the same path every day, I get bored, so I switch it up, not only does this prevent me from getting bored, but I think it helps me learn more and more about many and a variety of things.

I also don’t like cults, or groups of people that go, do it this way only or you don’t belong here. Not pointing any fingers, just saying.

I like to wear shorts, a shirt, and flip-flops (thongs as the Aussies say). Actually, I prefer not to wear a shirt if at all possible, not to show off, just for the free feeling, I wear no jewelry, no watch, and hate shoes as they ruin your feet. Of course, I need to wear shoes, and when I do, the only shoes that go on my feet are the Reeboks with a wide toebox or minimalist shoes like XERO or VIBRAM. I shave my head, not to look mean, but because I enjoy the freedom and not having to worry which way it’s combed or how hard the wind blows.

I like to be free, I co-operate with many people,
I don’t just take, I also give and sometimes just give without taking (although that seems to get me in more trouble than anything else).

I rather talk and resolve issues than avoid them,
don’t like holding grudges, and forgive people when they apologize.

I don’t do to others what I don’t like done to myself.

I can take a joke! Even if it’s about me.
But let’s put that in context.

If the joke is made with no harmful intentions, I’m all for it, the problem is, sometimes you just don’t know, sometimes you didn’t sleep well and wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and sometimes there are other factors involved that don’t make you see the fun of it, but I can honestly say that in general I can take a joke and take no offense.

I too take the piss sometimes, and when I do, it’s all in good fun, I make fun of just about anything, kettlebells, crossfit, hardstyle, softstyle, you name it. With that said, if you’re not sure about my joke or I have taken offense to your joke, have a chat with me, and we’ll get it sorted.

I don’t pay much attention to haters, it seems the more you have,
the more successful you are. Usually, they make themselves look stupid so there really is no need for me to do anything. You’ll see them huddle up together and talk smack while everyone on the outside looks on and goes “Wow, didn’t know you were that kind of person”.