What should you expect from your coach?

In our experience, many coaches fall short of delivering what’s needed. The underlying question is: what should an athlete expect from a coach? The answer is simple: you should expect a coach who puts you at the centre of the process—not someone who forces you into their mould or chases the latest trends without regard for your long-term growth. At Sense Endurance, we embody these principles in ways many coaches do not.

Coaching is about people, not just programmes or methods. Whether you’re running, cycling, swimming, or engaging in any sport, the principles remain the same: you need a coach who sees the whole picture. Unfortunately, many coaches rush into the “sexy” stuff—the workouts and the metrics—without taking the time to understand you as a person. While it’s tempting to dive straight into the numbers, real coaching is about stepping back to consider the bigger picture; the measurable aspects are only a small part of athlete development.

Too many coaches get lost in rigid thinking, failing to acknowledge the shades of grey that define real-life performance. They view the world in absolutes, creating categories for athletes that don’t fit. We understand that nothing fits perfectly into boxes. Great coaching lies in knowing when to focus on details. That’s why we approach each athlete with flexibility and an open mind, adjusting to your specific needs instead of following a one-size-fits-all plan.

When it comes to training, there is no universal formula for success. Training must adapt to each individual’s starting point and progression. Each athlete has a unique adaptation signature, and our job is to uncover it—ensuring that your training is both challenging and sustainable.

You should expect a coach who pushes you to grow and change. Many people resist discomfort, both for themselves and their athletes. True growth—physical and mental—requires disruption of the status quo. Athletes and coaches often fall into well-worn routines, making it easy to stick with what’s familiar. We encourage our athletes to embrace discomfort, creating environments that push you beyond your comfort zone so you can adapt and improve.

Expect a coach who fosters your independence. Rather than preparing for an ideal event, our goal is to build athletes who can perform in any circumstance. We challenge you so that you can make decisions on your own, ensuring that in competition, your responses are automatic, ingrained, and resilient. Our job is to course-correct the ship, not steer it at every turn.

Many see failure as something to avoid, but we want to create mentally resilient athletes who understand that is an opportunity to grow. Failure is not something to fear; it’s an opportunity to learn. By ensuring that your mind and body are sufficiently stressed and sometimes even "embarrassed" by their limitations, we help you adapt and emerge stronger.

Too many coaches mistake complexity for knowledge. They pile on jargon and minor metrics—heart rates, lactate levels, splits—missing the forest for the trees. This approach may give the illusion of progress, but it’s mainly busywork. At Sense Endurance, we cut through the noise. Our focus is on what truly matters: fostering your ability to perform when it counts, not just hitting specific data points. We simplify concepts into usable forms, keeping your training effective, adaptable, and applicable.

You should expect a coach who doesn’t get caught up in their own ego. Many coaches stick to rigid systems because they’re unwilling to question themselves. We remain open to new ideas and keep learning and adapting. We don’t fit athletes into a pre-made system; we create systems that fit you. Every athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and goals are unique, and our training reflects that.

Good coaching isn’t just about prescribing workouts; it’s about instilling the right mindset. At Sense Endurance, we help you develop resilience by framing stress, improvement, and failure positively. We are interested in building long-term perseverance. Many coaches overlook these mental aspects, but we prioritise developing the mindset necessary for true, lasting success.

Finally, you should expect a coach who genuinely cares. We build long-term trust by caring about you, not just your performance. We aren’t here to create followers of a system; we’re here to develop athletes who can thrive, adapt, and excel in the real world, where conditions are rarely perfect and challenges are always present.

In summary, Sense Endurance isn’t just about training for the next race. It’s about developing athletes who are mentally and physically equipped to take on any challenge, not because we tell you what to do, but because we guide you toward self-sufficiency, resilience, and long-term success. While most coaches may miss these crucial elements, we ensure that your journey is about more than just the next workout—it’s about becoming the best athlete and person you can be.