Coaching philosophy

My favorite part of training is learning. The journey to getting fitter- whatever that goal looks like- is the best part. When you look back on the variables YOU manipulated & realize YOU made your goal happen… that feeling of self-efficacy is how we fall in love with the process and find a sustainable practice. 

I believe education is what makes lasting change possible. My personal run coach has set this example for me and has largely shaped how I show up for my athletes. You know how a 3-year-old will ask “why” until you run out of answers? I am still that kid (LOL).

That's exactly why I keep my 1:1 roster small - so I can update your training every week and actually take the time to answer every question you throw at me.

Nerd alert: I think back to my younger self, 'You have no idea what's happening inside that body of yours.'

In my first marathon, I did not supplement with electrolytes before or during the marathon. And I tanked. And it was miserable. I genuinely thought I would never run another marathon again.

Spoiler: I ran another marathon. In my next marathon, I did not make the same mistake.

Do you know what electrolytes actually do? We throw around the word hydration, but what does that really mean?

Well, for a muscle to contract, it needs a signal from the brain to do so. Electrolytes like sodium enable our nerve cells to do their thing… and long story short, we move. There is also this whole thing where sodium supports blood volume regulation… less sodium, less water, less oxygen and nutrients —>greater muscular fatigue.

I love understanding the why behind the variables we can control. We are not above science. Our bodies are not invincible - and that's what makes this so fascinating.

This goes for both strength training and running.

Sustainability. We all wear many hats and juggle competing priorities.

I do believe health should be our number one priority. It is the prerequisite for showing up better everywhere else: at work, at home, for the people we love.

It is difficult, though! And we have to respect this as fact.

While health should be our #1 priority, I also believe we fit exercise and wellness around our life, not the other way around. 

The goal is to build something that works for the season you're actually in, not the one you wish you were in.

EX: Date night is every Tuesday night? “Oh, I mean, we could maybe move that to another night.” No, we’ll make Wednesday morning a rest day, then. We need to make space for training, but let’s not disrupt what is important to you.

EX: Best friend’s wedding coming up in a few weeks? Let’s move your long run for that week from Saturday to Thursday because you told me you work from home Thursdays & have some extra time. Or let’s plan to make this a down week & we’ll shorten the long run because our body could use a little break by then anyways. 

If you have a race on the calendar or simply need support fitting fitness into your life, let me help you. I hope to meet you where you are at and collaborate with you to build a personal system you can fall in love with and maintain for years to come.