Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth and New Beginnings
We’re already a number of days into the new year, so what better moment than to reflect on one of the most transformative years of my life. In 2024, I made the leap from working as a legal translator to becoming a full-time triathlon coach—a decision rooted in passion, years of part-time coaching experience, and a desire to share what I believe is a unique approach to athlete development. It’s also one that’s been a long time in the making: since I feel it’s unfair to athletes who decide to invest their time and money to only provide my personal experience, I took the time and effort to complete a number of coaching certification courses. Not only am I now ITCA and 80/20 Endurance certified, but I also had the unique opportunity to complete the Trisutto coaching certification course and subsequently work with legendary triathlon coach Brett Sutton for an entire season as part of his Coach the Coach Programme.
Before even launching my practice, I also took the time to prepare a large number of ready-made plans available for athletes who want to try the Sense Endurance approach but who don’t require full coaching support.
My experience combined with this myriad of external sources of knowledge give me the confidence that I can truly offer something special to the athletes working with me or buying my plans.
For many years, coaching was a somewhat small-scale endeavour for me, something I did alongside my work as a translator. This also involved a number of years as the triathlon coach of a regional triathlon club, where I spent plenty of hours on the deck of the pool rather than it. Coaching began as a way to share what I had learned as an athlete and to help others achieve their goals. Over time, it became clear that coaching brought me a sense of fulfilment that no other pursuit could match. Still, the idea of turning it into a full-time career felt daunting.
Recognising the Gaps in the Coaching Landscape
As someone who has worked with many coaches and used many plans over the years, I couldn’t help but notice a recurring theme: a lack of professionalism. Far too often, I encountered coaches who treated the role as a side-gig, something to fund their own triathlon pursuits rather than a career requiring dedication and attention.
Too many coaches seem to treat the role like a glorified side hustle—a way to justify spending hours on their bikes or fund their next race entry. This casual approach often comes at the expense of their athletes. Training plans were cookie-cutter, communication was inconsistent, and feedback—if given at all—was generic and uninspired. It became clear to me that many of these coaches weren’t just unprofessional—they were uninterested in evolving or doing the work required to truly help their athletes succeed.
As an athlete, this frustrated me, not because I expected perfection, but because I expected care and attention. I wanted a coach who was invested, who understood my goals, and who approached coaching as a profession, not a pastime. That gap in the market—the lack of truly professional, athlete-focused coaching—was one of the key reasons I decided to step into this space full-time.
Building Confidence to Go Full-Time
The decision to leave a stable career wasn’t one I took lightly. My work has taught me invaluable skills—attention to detail, discipline, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly. These skills have been surprisingly transferable to coaching, where clarity and precision are just as important as technical expertise.
The leap to full-time coaching wasn’t made on a whim. It came after years of coaching on a smaller scale, testing my methods, and seeing the results. Watching athletes achieve breakthroughs, whether physical, mental, or both, gave me the confidence to take this step. But it wasn’t without challenges. Leaving behind a predictable career for the uncertainty of a new direction required trust in my ability to deliver something valuable—something unique.
A Coaching Philosophy Rooted in Simplicity and Purpose
One of the things I’ve always struggled with in traditional coaching is the tendency to overcomplicate. Many training plans and coaching approaches focus on endless metrics, fancy drills, or rigid frameworks that don’t account for the real demands of triathlon. As an athlete, I often felt these approaches missed the mark. They lacked practicality and often seemed disconnected from what truly mattered: preparing for the specific challenges of race day.
Take swimming, for example. I’ve seen triathletes spend hours on drills that have little bearing on their race-day performance. I’m guilty of doing the same in the past, before I knew better. My approach now? Focus on developing a stroke that works for triathlon, and building strength and efficiency, which are far more valuable than perfecting a drill that doesn’t translate to open water. This forms the basis of the Sense Endurance method.
In running, I prioritise sessions that build muscular endurance and efficient biomechanics. Instead of chasing hard intervals that might leave an athlete drained, I focus on sustainable efforts that teach the body to run efficiently, even under fatigue. These principles are rooted in my experience, not just as a coach but as an athlete who has worked with various training plans and methodologies. They’re also what I felt was missing in the coaching landscape when I decided to step into this role full-time.
By focusing on practicality, individualisation, and race-specific preparation, I’ve been able to help athletes achieve results that might have felt out of reach with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Lessons from 2024
This past year has been one of immense learning. Building Sense Endurance has been as much about personal growth as it has been about professional development. Figuring out how to connect with athletes and share my philosophy has been both a challenge and a rewarding process. It’s pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace skills I never thought I’d need as a coach.
Meeting new athletes and fellow coaches has been another highlight. Every athlete brings a unique story, set of challenges, and goals. Learning how to adapt my methods to each individual has been both exciting and fulfilling. It’s reminded me why I started this journey in the first place: to make a real difference for people who are so committed to this sport and lifestyle.
Looking Ahead
As I look to the future, I have numerous ideas for Sense Endurance I want to pursue. The ultimate goal is hosting training camps and clinics, so that I can offer opportunities for athletes to immerse themselves in focused, high-quality coaching. I also want to establish a platform where I can share my unique insights and knowledge. I hope to reach a wider audience, not just through in-person events but through digital platforms, sharing insights and methods that can benefit athletes around the world.
Another area I’m passionate about is giving back to the coaching community. I believe my approach—grounded in simplicity, practicality, and race-specific preparation—can help raise the standard of coaching as a whole. Too often, I see the same patterns repeated by coaches who are content to stick with outdated or ineffective methods. With my background and the methods I’ve developed, I feel I can offer insights that other coaches lack, helping to raise the bar for everyone involved. Whether it’s through mentorship, collaboration, or simply sharing ideas, I’m excited to contribute to the growth of our profession.
Closing Thoughts
Perhaps the most rewarding part of 2024 has been seeing the impact of my work. Whether it’s an athlete achieving a personal best, overcoming a mental barrier, or simply feeling more confident in their training, these moments remind me why I made the transition.
To coaches, athletes, and anyone considering a similar leap, my advice is this: trust in what you bring to the table and embrace the challenges. It’s hard work, it can be a grind, and you can’t ride the wave of inspiration and energy you have at the start forever, but this past year has shown me that stepping outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens.
Here’s to an even more exciting 2025.