Coach

Coaching Philosophy

These are the principles I coach by. They're not rules, they're how I think about the relationship between a coach and an athlete, and what I reckon makes it work. If they resonate, we're probably a good fit. 

Own Your Choices

Athletes are responsible for the decisions they make. External factors like work, family, fatigue, weather, or soreness may influence those decisions, but they don't remove ownership. Life priorities come first: for example, picking up your kids from school or meeting work commitments is non-negotiable. Training fits around those priorities. When challenges arise, it's still your choice how to respond. Owning that decision-making process is the foundation of consistent, empowered progress. When things are tough and you have training to do, will those external factors be a sufficient reason for you not to complete what you planned to do?

Train for Life, Not Just the Race

While responsibility is key, it doesn't mean rigid adherence to training at the expense of everything else. Your program should reflect your life, not override it. If you're part of a social run club, enjoy running with mates, or participate in other sports, those elements will be incorporated into your training. It might not be the most optimised path to peak performance, but it will likely make you happier, more engaged, and less prone to burnout, which makes your training more sustainable in the long run. 

Training can be fun, but often it's simply work.

Speak Up, Listen Well

Honest, two-way communication is essential in the coach-athlete relationship. That means sharing the positives and being open to the occasional tough conversation. These moments can be challenging, you're proud of your work, and feedback might feel personal. I get that. But when feedback is given, try to step back and consider why it matters.

It might be that something you're doing doesn't align with your goals, or it could be a detail that will have more impact on race day. Feedback isn't about judgement, it's about helping you grow. When you allow me to tell you when things are satisfactory, normal, or great, it gives me a scale to work with. That way, I can elevate what's working and shine a light on what can be improved.

And it is a two-way street. I want you to feel comfortable expressing any doubts about my approach or concerns about your progress. From those conversations, I can either clarify something for you or learn something from you that helps me become a better coach.

Challenge the Body, Challenge the Mind

You'll face plenty of physical and mental challenges during training, but I also aim to challenge your ideas and approach. This isn't about criticising your process, it's about helping you think more broadly. The goal is to either reinforce what already works for you or explore new ways to grow.

I encourage athletes to shift their mindset from 'this is what I do or what I'm comfortable with' to 'what changes can I make to become a better athlete?' This applies to training theory, equipment, nutrition, and more. Being open-minded gives you options and helps you improve, rather than falling into the trap of confirmation bias, the belief that what you currently do is automatically the best. But how can you know it's the best if you haven't considered alternatives or made objective comparisons?

Growth comes from curiosity, not comfort. And resilience comes from being able to adapt when things don't go to plan. Whether it's gear, pacing, or conditions, the ability to respond, not just react, is what keeps you in the race.

Fit Matters

Coaching is something I do as a hobby, not a business. I get genuine joy from sharing my passion with enthusiastic athletes. Watching people grow, exceed their expectations, realise their potential, and share a laugh along the way, that's what I love most.

You might not like my personality, and I might not click with yours, and that's perfectly ok. We don't need to force it. I like being myself, and you shouldn't feel obliged to tolerate that if I'm not the right fit for you. You deserve to feel comfortable and supported by your coach, not just trying to make it work. There are plenty of great (and a few not-so-great) coaches out there, each with different experiences and approaches. If we're not a good match, that's no drama, it's just part of finding what works best for you.

If this sounds like a good fit, get in touch.