Coaching

How do I know if coaching is a good idea for me, or if you’re the right coach for me?

You might be interested in working with me if: 

• You’ve been running at least 20 miles per week consistently for a few months and you’re ready to take your training to the next level

• You’re ready to put in the work to push yourself and build the discipline needed to achieve your goals

• You’ve experienced obstacles on your journey to becoming a better runner, and you want to learn how to overcome them using a holistic mind-body approach

• You want to grow as an athlete and become someone who can coach themselves, train intuitively, listen to their body, and enjoy the process

• You know, deep down, you’re capable of more than you think you are, and your best results are still to come

What if I get injured?

While there are no guarantees that you won’t get injured, you are less likely to get injured when you work with a coach, because together we’ll be evaluating all the little aches and pains that come up and adjusting your training accordingly. You’ll start to learn for yourself when to back off and when to keep going. 

If you do get hurt, that’s an excellent time to shift focus to a cross training plan, which also includes a strength and conditioning component. It’s absolutely imperative to NOT give up on all your health and fitness goals during these times. We can work together on a cross training plan, strength rehab, and most importantly, processing the challenging emotions brought by injury.

What’s your history with running? What does your running look like now?

I started running back in 1996 when I joined my high school’s cross country team as a freshman. Before entering high school, I had no idea what cross country running even was. I’d just known that I once ran a 6:30 mile as a middle schooler during gym class, so I thought I’d give this running thing a try. Turns out I had a talent for it. By my sophomore year I was on the varsity team; by my senior year I’d become the team captain, twice made the all-metro honorable mention list, and qualified for the Missouri state cross country championship.

I continued running as a scholarship athlete on the cross country team at Loyola Marymount University, a small Division I college, for two years. In my sophomore year I got injured, then in the off season I started to have drug issues, which eventually snowballed into a full blown drug dependency. Further tragedy struck when I got kicked out of school and off the cross country team.

I transferred to the University of Kansas but did not run on KU’s track or cross country teams for my final few years of college. I went further into a drug-fueled tailspin between 2005-2012. During this time, I did not compete in any races.

In 2013, I began the arduous journey to reclaim the runner I once was, and by 2015 I was racing again around Portland, Oregon, my old home. I suffered many setbacks along the way, but by 2017 I was starting to take top finishes in my age group.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I’ve gone all in and fully committed myself to the craft of running. I’m now one of the best masters (age 40+) runners in Kansas City, and I travel to highly competitive races to compete on regional and national levels, often winning my age group.

Why should I trust you?

You shouldn’t! Not yet at least. I’m just some person you found on the internet, met at a race, or maybe bumped into on a run. I’d love to talk with you on the phone and then you can decide if I’m someone you want to work with. Sign up for a free 30 minute consultation call here.