Team Bios

Certifications

• Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology
• Level 3 Fitness (TAFEWA)
• Level 4 Fitness (TAFEWA)
• Weightlifting For Sport - Eleiko - International Weightlifting Federation
• Curso de LPO Cubano - Ran entirely in Spanish by Cuban weightlifting coach Luiz Lopez, coach to Panamerican Gold Medalist and top 5 Olympian, Fernando Reis. Over many months we delved into over Cuban Methodology, multi-year planning and biomechanics. 

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

Having worked in a range of environments such as large sport centres in The Netherlands to brand new Weightlifting facilities in Brazil, I was drawn to Repsol immediately upon entering the white tent. It's wide variety of athletes and the many uses the facility offers, creates a "Performance Culture" that is addicting. It's also hard not to feel motivated when you walk in at 5:30am every morning and see athletes already in the pool, training before work and school. 

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

• Climbing Acongagua (near future).
• Climbing Denali or an 8000m peak (distant future).
• Rowing the Pacific or Atlantic ocean.  

What super human power would you have and why?

The ability to feel what the athlete is feeling.

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

The atmosphere of a training environment can fuel or diminish a session. I try to get in tune with everyone I'm coaching so I can maximise their potential for that particular day. With groups, I encourage an environment where everyone is coaching and supporting each other. This helps build an active session where rest periods are used as another opportunity to learn and teach. Ultimately the best coaching experience comes from understanding the person you're working with and what their strengths and weaknesses are so as to maximise their potential and help them reach their goals.

Certifications

• BKin from the University of Calgary with a Major in Athletic Therapy
• CAT© (certified athletic therapist)
• CanFitPro PTS 

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

I coach the strength portion of the Junior Triathlon Program. I love coaching here because it is an environment that not only makes my job fun and challenging but I am around talented and smart individuals. 

What is your favourite part of sport?

My favorite part of sport is competition. I love the feeling when you get to put to test all the hard work you’ve been doing throughout the year. It is a combination of butterflies and excitement that is unlike anything else.  

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

Last year, I challenged myself to start playing tackle football and now that I am a part of the team, my goal is to excel at the skills required of me whether it is become faster, stronger, and learn how to read the game better.

What super human power would you have and why?

If I had a superpower, I think it would be super speed. It would give the ability to finish task faster and be involved in so many more activities.

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

As a coach, my goal is to help the athletes that I work with understand how each exercises relates to what they’re doing and how to modify it depending on how their body works. Sometimes that requires being creative and coming up with exercises and drills that closely mimic their sport but presenting it to them in a “fun” way so that they are inclined to repeat it and become better in the challenge as they grow.

Certifications

• Bachelor of Science Kinesiology, Certified Athletic Therapist

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

The facility allows me to cater to all the needs that my athletes have in their training programs. The culture of the club and its members is the best in the city.

What is your favourite part of Sport?

It allows us to find new limits and truly challenge ourselves individually.

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

Kona. When I was 17 I picked up my first triathlon magazine and read about Normann Stadler winning the 2006 Ironman in Hawaii. I have wanted to get there since.  

What super human power would you have and why?

 A superhuman metabolism...food is my weakness!

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

 I try to frame all workouts in such a way that athletes can self-direct their success by achieving their specific goals. This allows my athletes to progress at a rate that is optimal to them.

Certifications

• B.Kin degree from University of Calgary
• Nccp triathlon competition development

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

I coach at Repsol Sport Centre for access to the most talented colleagues to work with and for the state of the art equipment we have at our finger tips.

What is your favourite part of Sport?

Favorite part of the sport is swimming as I swam for 15 years but favorite part to coach is running.

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

Bucket list is to have many more athletes reach their epic goals whether it be, Boston marathon, ITU worlds, Kona, or help more people become the best endurance athletes they can be.

What super human power would you have and why?

I wish I had clarvoiance to be able to see the future and make the best decisions for myself and my athletes.

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

I watch and read my athletes very carefully and adjust my training prescriptions daily if needed to optimize my athletes recovery between taxing sessions.

Certifications

• NCCP trained Triathlon Coach
• Certified Personal Trainer

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

I coach because I love to inspire people to be better than they think they are. Repsol Sport Centre gives the coaches all the tools we need under one roof to help our athletes.

What is your favourite part of Sport?

The excitement of race day no matter what type of event it is.

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

This list is too long to itemize. Short list of challenges: solo hike the West Coast Trail and race Kona 70.3.

What super human power would you have and why?

I would have the power to never get sick. Why? Because it sucks!

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

Research current training methodologies. Being aware of my athlete’s needs. Preparing for each session. Encouraging my athletes to push harder. 

Certifications

•  BPE - University of Calgary
• CSEP - CEP
• NSCA - CSCS
• NCCP Level 2 Road/Track
• NCCP Level 1 Mountain Bike
• NCCP Level 1 Weightlifting

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

Because there isn't a more qualified, experienced and dedicated coaching team of which to be a part.  Working within this team and facility, along with every athlete I've worked with over the years, motivates me to continue to grow and be a better coach.

What is your favourite part of Sport?

Sport brings so much to the table for people from all walks of life, from kids to Masters, recreational to elite.  Sport has innumerable positive effects on all facets of health; mental, physical and spiritual.  It teaches us to set goals and go after them.  It teaches us about the "process".  It teaches us to work within ourselves and with others.  It teaches us to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.  It is an honor that someone would call upon my supposed "expertise" in these aspects in helping them on their journey.  Indeed, many of my athletes have shaped who I am as a person and as a coach far more than a formal education ever could.  

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

I'd like to keep doing all sorts of mountain bike races as much as possible, but the next step is getting my kids into things.  For me, bike races are about fun with my family and not just myself anymore.  If I had to pick a particular race, I'd love to do the Cape Epic again.  South Africa is a wonderful place to visit and a bike race would be a great excuse to go back!

What super human power would you have and why?

If being really good at public speaking qualifies as "superhuman", I'd choose that.  But there are days I'd like to have spider webs shoot out of my wrists or lasers from my eyeballs, so maybe those too.

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

Understanding that they have other aspects of life alongside which to fit their training, nutrition, recovery and sleep.  Being available to chat about short-term program changes, race preparation and unforeseen "life" events has always been of huge benefit, even if it's not always easy!

Certifications

• ATA Triathlon Comp Intro Part 2

Why do you coach at Repsol Sport Centre?

Coaching at Repsol lets me be around like minded athletes.

What is your favourite part of Sport?

I enjoy the training process and embracing the active lifestyle.

What is on your bucket list of challenges/races and why?

Challenge Roth Ironman, completing the climb through the mass of cheering spectators.

What super human power would you have and why?

To read the minds of my athletes, so I can help them push their limits.

How do you create the best coaching experiences for your athletes?

I create an environment where the athlete finds their success but still challenges their limits in a positive atmosphere.