How did you get into coaching triathlon?
I’d been involved in triathlon as a competitor for over 10 years and introduced some friends to the sport as well as being a British Athletics run leader (now level 2 coach) for several years so I wanted to learn more about supporting others into triathlon. I was also undertaking a BSc in Sports and fitness coaching in my spare time, alongside my job as a lecturer in Science and Biology, so all the qualifications complemented each other and gave me more knowledge to help others reach their goals.

What is your coaching philosophy?
The key to supporting anyone is to get to know them and there must be an honest, trustworthy relationship between the athlete and the coach. I have a lot of experience to share but I still have a lot to learn as both an athlete and a coach and you never stop learning and adapting. There is the physical side but there is also the psychology involved.

Which aspect of coaching do you enjoy the most?
This question can mean so much! I enjoy working with both groups of athletes and individuals and even in a group coaching scenario, you are providing support to individuals and need to know everyone’s needs. I am lucky to have worked with beginners and experienced age-group athletes and seeing anyone (whatever their background) make progress is an absolute joy. In terms of the disciplines of triathlon, then most of my group coaching experience has been for supporting swimming – it is so technical, that you can love it and loathe it because minor variations in a stroke can make a significant impact. That said, my ‘first’ sport of the three is running in lots of ways and yet, I really enjoy coaching cycle skills.

What is your coaching highlight?
This must be supporting an individual return from a serious bike accident to their shoulder, where we thought they would never swim again, to then qualify for a major triathlon event. From a group perspective, it must be the KTC Wales in a Day sportive in 2021.

What do you do outside of KTC?
I’m lucky to have retired from my main job to allow me to swim, bike and run (and do gym work/Pilates and yoga to keep the injuries at bay!). I coach at Macclesfield Harriers, doing their one weekly track session to adults, do some teaching (Human Biology) and some consultancy work (sports science). I am also a lifeguard at Macclesfield leisure centre.

Tell us something interesting/ unusual about yourself?
As many KTC members will know, I have recently discovered bike packing – when Lindsay (fellow KTC member) suggested we cycle to the ETU triathlon champs in Belgium, I agreed…from a coaching perspective, it probably wasn’t the best preparation for a 70.3 race, but it was so much fun.

Triathlon Qualifications
BTF – Level 1 (Jan 18); Level 2 (March 2020); Level 2 diploma (Oct 22), Strength and Conditioning (Jan 23)