TESTIMONIALS
First, I’d like to say a HUGE thank you to Cezary. When I first heard of him it was “He’s the best, he gets EVERYONE to pass CPAT!!” I didn’t live close to him, but I knew I needed to do everything and anything to pass the CPAT. I had passed it 3 years ago but was struggling to pass it again. I reached out to him 1 week before my first attempt. I had the strength to complete the whole course and do it in the time needed but I couldn’t get myself to be able to complete the full 3 min 20 sec on the stairs without holding on. I contacted Cezary and met with him in person to go over the course and see what I needed to do to pass this test. He was very encouraging when I met him and knew what he was talking about. He sent me home with a workout plan for that week, that he put together specifically for me. I followed his plan exactly. We knew there was a chance since it was so last minute, I still wouldn’t pass. I went and I didn’t make it off the stairs. So, I called him, and he put together another 2 weeks workout plan for me. I followed it again and the second attempt I finally passed my CPAT with 33 seconds to spare!
His workout plan and his encouragement are what helped me pass my CPAT. Not only did he provide me workouts, but he always checked in to see how I was doing and how I felt about the workouts. I am so grateful and so glad I reached out and used his program!
Nicole Mayer
I remember failing CPAT after my very first attempt. It was a test I was unfamiliar with, and a test that humbled me upon realizing the physical and mental demands. After that test I felt defeated, and I certainly walked away with no hopes of ever taking up the CPAT again. At that time, I lacked purpose, meaning, drive, and the confidence needed to overcome the CPAT.
Six months later, a conversation rekindled a fire in me. However, I lacked confidence and knowledge on how to tackle the CPAT. I spent time in deep thought about this CPAT and decided to consult with Cezar. We did some trial runs and started to train weekly. I showed up every week. I was pressed with anxiety, doubt, and God knows what else. I held myself accountable and scheduled a test in Florida during the winter months. Cezar was able to build my confidence that I lacked through training, and conversations. What was more impressive was his mindset towards failures. I learned how to look at my failures and move forward. This was made evident after I failed CPAT for a second time. Cezar helped to build me back up, and I returned for the third attempt and owned the CPAT. So, to whomever is training for the CPAT: Hold the faith, stay focused and consult with an effective leader like Cezar, and I promise the rest will handle itself.
Tevin Spence
It definitely has been an adventure working hard to pass this PAT (Physical Agility Test). No Garmin or Tom Tom would have gotten me there. I had the best gps Cezar, to point me in the right direction mentally and physically and guide me along the way to my epic victory.
I took the time every day to make sure I was working out and getting stronger. Some days were a little disheartening, but I would always make sure I was back next day and just give it my best. I learned with Cezar and my adventure, taking a step back is what I needed to be. I had always been someone who would just keep working harder and harder and I knew that didn’t give me success in the past, so I put all my trust in the process. And boy did it pay off!
I had to make some sacrifices and was extra dedicated, but it was all worth it!
Just before starting with Cezar, I made a promise to myself I would give up my favorite thing until I passed my test: Cotton candy ice cream. As minuscule as it sounds, everyday getting closer I just kept in mind, “I do this. I get double gold medals… the opportunity for a career of lifetime and my cotton candy ice cream!” When I rolled out of the last event of the PAT and was told I passed. I was so happy! And first thing I said was “I’m getting my ice cream!!”
I learned from this entire process that even with unsuccessful attempts, the hard work and dedication will pay off, even if it takes a little longer than we want! Thank you a million times over to Cezar!
Ann Marie
In front of every goal is a series of obstacles. In my ongoing pursuit of being in the fire service I was faced with an obstacle that I was unable to overcome alone. Instead of letting that define me and give up, I enlisted the help of Cezar.
Although the training was contrary to what you would expect, I trusted him. Cezar’s customized weeks of training pushed me passed my limits. Absolutely exhausted, wondering if everything I was doing was necessary, he just told me “Follow the GPS.” In the end I was able to overcome that obstacle and pass the CPAT. I can’t thank you enough for the help brother.
Trevon Chin
Standing at the base of the Stairmaster wearing a 50-pound weight vest. The memory of a previous unsuccessful attempt one month earlier and the added pressure of a conditional offer weighed heavy on my shoulders like the additional 25 pounds a CPAT proctor had just Velcroed to my vest. “Just breathe.” Two simple words I repeated to myself through the next three minutes and 20 seconds. As I step down and begin navigating through a maze of events, I continue to repeat all the little simple phrases I had learned with Cezar at Fire Combat Fitness LLC “Move your feet,” “down shift,” “breathe.” My mind took me to the back yard training sessions where Cezar had me focus on each individual event rather than the CPAT as a whole, fine tuning my motor skill and mental resolve.
I’m faced with my biggest hurdle, the 165lb dummy rescue. Cezar had trained me to know when to take a “3 breath break” during the dummy drag, and I pushed my burning lungs and thighs until I was fully around the barrel with the dummy. “Down shift, one…two..three…ok go”, I picked my head up and finished the drag feeling strong. The last event was a gimme, ceiling breach and pull….or so I thought. My arms where shaking, and I struggled to focus on the preceptors counts between sets. Two near misses to hook the pike pole took up precious seconds. I could tell by the proctor’s face I was cutting it close on time. With the final set I held my breath to hear my time. “You passed with ONE SECOND! You had ONE SECOND left!” the preceptor almost yelled.
One of the first people I called after my test was Cezar. The training he had provided with Fire Combat Fitness LLC was more than just work outs. It was a mentorship to prepare me beyond CPAT training. I’ll be taking many of the lessons learned into my training with the Fire Academy in a few months.