Being coached by Shaun was about so much more than just becoming a faster triathlete – with his encouragement and support I’m now pursuing a different career path (triathlon related!). However, I also achieved significant personal best times on swim, bike and run at a half ironman mid way through the 3 months he coached me; and I then PB’d again on swim bike and run at my standard distance A race (which was an Age Group World Qualifier). On the morning of my main race I remember thinking that even if I didn’t qualify, it would all have been worth it, as I’d thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the process – being coached, following a set training plan, doing the actual training, as well as the racing.

I learnt so much from Shaun – about analysing training metrics; getting the best out of a training plan; race psychology; personal confidence and my own abilities. Shaun was very accessible, quick to reply to any messages, and I felt I was very much coached as an individual person, not as a generic triathlete. His holistic approach meant that family holidays in the middle of important training weeks were easily navigated (and even given priority over training). I know that Shaun’s approach to coaching is, to a greater or lesser degree, different with each person he coaches.

Shaun’s interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence would set him apart from other coaches – he is able to quickly assess the best ways of working with someone in order to ensure that this tailored approach achieves the desired outcome for that individual.

In a very nice way, I was pushed in training to achieve race results beyond what I thought possible (and I’ve been competing in triathlons for about 10 years). I enjoyed the whole process of being coached, had a lot of fun, and am definitely a faster triathlete as a result!