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Meet the Man Who Can Save Your Life and Fix Your Squat Form

Let’s be honest: staying fit is hard. Staying fit when your job involves kicking down doors, crawling through tight spaces or lifting humans out of burning buildings? That’s another level. That’s where Eric Kritsch comes in.



Eric has been a fitness coach for over 14 years, which means he’s been coaching since before TikTok workouts, smartwatches and probably your last four gym memberships. He specializes in tactical conditioning (think real life superhero training), industrial ergonomics (how not to ruin your back on the job), sport conditioning and corrective exercise (a fancy way of saying “undoing what your desk job did to your shoulders”).


But don’t let the serious qualifications fool you. Eric’s secret sauce is how much he cares. He’s got a soft spot for first responders and not just in theory. He’s an active member of Georgian Bay Search & Rescue, so he’s out there in the real world doing the work. His mission? Helping front line workers stay strong, recover better and avoid burnout, mentally and physically.


Oh, and did we mention he’s got a background in martial arts and endurance sports? So if you’re looking for someone who knows what it’s like to push past limits and gracefully recover after a leg cramp mid hike, he’s your guy.


Eric is also certified in sports nutrition and has years of experience in the supplement industry. So when he talks about fueling your body for performance and supporting your brain for mental health, it’s not just bro science. It’s the real thing.



Now let's get to know him.



Q What inspired you to start coaching?


I love explaining and I love teaching. From an early age, I’ve had sport coaches and martial arts teachers in my life and that feeling that comes from seeing someone achieve something big, that you had a hand in, it’s like no other. It was really the win/win feeling of being someone’s guide that always called to me.

 


Q How do you modify workouts for first responders? 


I start by acknowledging what kind of 1st responder they are. The “Occupational Demands” from role to role are VERY different. Then I make note of what type of positions they find themselves being placed in (physically) and what type of equipment they use/wear. Then I decide which movements, positions, tools and intensity we need to use in order to “mimic” those scenarios, safely.


 


Q What makes training for first responders different from training athletes?


At first glance I would say, not a lot. 1st Responders are “Tactical Athletes” after all. I would say it's similar to the differences between training a football player vs a hockey player. Different set of skills needed and used. I would say the MAIN difference is the intention behind the training. An athlete is going out to perform on a stage, a first responder is going out to save lives and they may only have 1 shot at that. So, the intention behind the exercises will be more about getting a task done efficiently as opposed to performing in the big game.



Q What’s the most underrated skill for front line workers to train?


Hands down (pun intended) – GRIP. A 1st Responders grip game can make or break their performance. Which is why I extensively teach hand anatomy and how to strengthen your grip as well as utilize different grip types based on the situation or tools being used.



Q What’s your approach when someone says, “I hate working out”?


“That’s fine – I get it, it’s not for everyone” But what is for everyone, is long term health and that’s the MOST important thing. Don’t like working out? No problem, let's find you something that’s accessible, doesn’t cause you stress and is easy to do consistently. Fitness is not an all or nothing approach like the world makes it out to be. Pick 1 thing, get comfortable with it and be consistent.



Q Do you remember your very first search and rescue call?


I consider my first call to be my first annual mock search. It's only training but ALL the parameters are set up for us to have to execute exactly like the real world. It’s a test, and we are put under a microscope to make sure we are doing things right. What I remember the most is how hyper aware you become when you’re  out searching for someone who is lost or in need of medical care. You dial in and sometimes over analyze things so you “get it right”. That first training taught me that doing things intentionally and relaxed…is how you TRULY want to be in the field. It’s something I remind myself of daily.



Q What do you wish more people understood about the physical toll of first responder work?


This is probably the most important question and the reason I started “OCA Fit”. 1st responders are basically “working out” every single day, for 10 – 16-hour shifts (sometimes more) at a time. 1st responders put themselves in dangerous positions that threaten their safety, add to that having to move, crawl, jump climb, drag, carry (people & tools) in VERY awkward body positions and you have a recipe for a very serious body beating. Now imagine all of that and then having to do it, the very next day and the day after that and the day after that. So, when you see a 1st responder on scene working hard, remember how much they put their bodies through. They look after us but very few look after THEM. And that’s why I do what I do.



Q What’s one thing people are always surprised to learn about you?


I’m a hardcore boardgame geek and I design board games in my spare time :D



Q What’s one wellness ritual you can’t live without?


YOGA. Every human on planet earth needs to do yoga. I’m serious, I'll die on this hill. Yoga literally fixes people when basic medicine can’t or just puts a band-aid on it. Do Yoga, start easy, progress and watch what happens to your joints, your posture and your longevity. Oh and did I mention the mental health healing it provides? Go do yoga, get bendy, it’ll save you.





Here's where you'll find Eric


Website // ocafit.com

Phone // 705-828-5557

Instagram // @eric.oca




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