Menü
With over 30 years of experience in the world of triathlon, I am a highly experienced and accomplished coach, who has also studied sport science & development in the UK. My background as a professional triathlete (representing Germany in the ITU World Cup, European Cup, 70.3 and Ironman), combined with my extensive coaching experience and education in sport science and development, has given me a unique perspective on the sport. I have personally trained with some of the greatest triathletes and coaches in the world, and I have learned so much from these experiences.
I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience with others and helping triathletes reach their full potential. I understand that triathletes have busy lives and limited time resources, and I am dedicated to offering practical tips and effective coaching that can help you achieve success in your training and racing.
By smart planning and strategic training, you can overcome the challenges of a busy schedule and still reach your goals.
My education in sport science and development gives me a strong foundation in understanding the body’s response and adaptation to the training, and how to design the best training program that suits the individual.
I am confident in my ability to help you become a faster, stronger, and more successful athlete. With my guidance, you can achieve your unique pinnacle, whatever that may be.
Let’s get to work and make it happen!
IN 1990 (Age 16) I started my journey in the world of triathlon as a complete beginner who couldn’t even swim front crawl properly. But I was determined to improve and threw myself into training and learning as much as I could about the sport.
In those days, there was no internet to turn to for guidance, so I relied on magazines, books, and the wisdom of other athletes & coaches to help me improve.
It was a lot of trial and error, but I was committed to getting better results and eventually earning a spot on the Bavarian Junior Elite triathlon squad (South Germany).
In 2000 I was given the chance to work for the Hong Kong National Triathlon Team as a training partner and assistant coach.
This opportunity allowed me to not only improve my fitness and refine my racing skills, but also learn from and bond with other athletes and coaches. They were an important part of my development as a triathlete and coach.
After my stint with the Hong Kong Team, I joined the British Triathlon National Team in Bath (England) and then moved to Swansea (Wales) to join a group of pro triathletes and coaching staff.
In Wales, I also had the opportunity to study Sport Science & Development at the University. And, in 2006, I made the decision to move to the USA to pursue my professional triathlon career and further my knowledge in coaching.
My professional racing career came to a close in 2013.
In 2006 I began working with age group triathletes in the San Francisco Bay Area and started coaching my first pro triathlete Leanda Cave, who went on to win Escape from Alcatraz (2007), 3rd 70.3 Pro World Championship, ITU Long Course World Champion and eventually become the Ironman Hawaii World Champion.
It was an exciting time for me as I transitioned into a new phase of my career, and I was eager to learn as much as I could about the art of coaching and helping athletes achieve their goals.
Today, I find fulfilment in guiding athletes towards their best performances and helping them reach their full potential. I am always striving to improve my own knowledge and techniques as a coach, and I am passionate about passing on what I have learned to the next generation of endurance athletes.
As a coach, I understand that there are many options available for triathletes looking to improve their performance. While qualifications and experience are important, what sets me apart is my commitment to my athletes. My history as a world-class professional triathlete, coupled with my coaching experience and sport science background, gives me a unique perspective on the sport and the training process.
One of the key things that sets me apart is my approach to coaching. I see it as an art and not just a science. I don’t just rely on what’s been done before or what is expected, I use my intuition, my own experience and my senses to anticipate what’s going to happen next, what’s going to work best for my athletes.
As a former high-performance athlete myself, I have a deep understanding of the physical and mental demands of training and racing, which enables me to anticipate what an athlete is going through, and this helps me to plan and coach in a way that is most effective for each individual athlete.
I am also highly accessible and available to my athletes, and am always there to answer questions, provide support, and make adjustments to their training plans as needed. This is especially useful when an athlete is dealing with unexpected conflicts or feeling overwhelmed by their recent workouts.
In addition to this, I use a variety of tools such as power meters, heart rate monitors to help optimize training and ensure that we are meeting your goals. And I also perform regular field tests and blood lactate testing to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
I pride myself on being a coach who truly cares about my athletes and their success, and I work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals.
As a coach, I understand that there are many options available for triathletes looking to improve their performance. While qualifications and experience are important, what sets me apart is my commitment to my athletes. My background as a world-class professional triathlete, coupled with my coaching experience, gives me a unique perspective on the sport and the training process. I am dedicated to my athletes' success and work hard to ensure that their training is tailored to their specific needs and goals.
The way I coach sets me apart. I see it as an art form, not just a science. Instead of simply following traditional methods or expectations, I trust my intuition, personal experience, and instincts to anticipate what will be most effective for my athletes. As a former high-performance athlete, I have a thorough understanding of the physical and mental demands of training and competition, which enables me to empathize with my athletes and tailor my coaching approach to meet their unique needs.
I am also highly accessible and available to my athletes, and am always there to answer questions, provide support, and make adjustments to their training plans as needed. This is especially useful when an athlete is dealing with unexpected conflicts or feeling overwhelmed by their recent workouts.
In addition to this, I use a variety of tools such as power meters, heart rate monitors to help optimize training and ensure that we are meeting your goals. And I also perform regular field tests and non-invasive blood lactate testing to track progress and adjust the plan as needed.
I pride myself on being a coach who truly cares about my athletes and their success, and I work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals.
Absolutely! The great thing about the sport of triathlon is that it can be just as exciting and fulfilling for the first year recreational athlete as it is for a highly competitive elite athlete. I have extensive experience coaching beginners, and have helped many athletes achieve their goals, from completing their first full Ironman to Ultra Ironman, marathons, half Ironman, Olympic distance, sprints, gravel races, and more. Having a coach who can guide you through the challenges of the sport and help you achieve your goals is an important part of an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.
I have experience working with athletes from various endurance sports such as ultra trail running, marathon running, cycling, gravel, and mountain biking. My background in triathlon coaching has given me a strong understanding of the science of endurance sports and how to maximize an athlete's performance. Additionally, my experience as an elite junior soccer player in Europe has equipped me with training approaches beyond traditional triathlon training. I am just as dedicated to coaching single sport athletes as I am to triathletes and I am always available and accessible to my clients. However, if you're looking for coaching in field hockey, I may not be the best fit.
When it comes to tracking progress, I employ a variety of methods depending on the sport. For cycling, I use a power (wattage), perceived effort, speed (aero is king) and heart rate based training approach. In order to track and analyze data, I ask my athletes to use a powermeter and heart rate monitor. The data is then uploaded to TrainingPeaks for analysis.
For running, the use of a powermeter such as Stryd is optional, but it can be helpful for tracking progress. Heart rate monitoring can also be used.
In swimming, there is no need for a GPS or HR watch. Most pools have a clock on the wall that can be used to follow my swim workouts.
To achieve faster results and train more efficiently, I encourage my athletes to purchase a powermeter and a smart indoor cycling trainer, such as Kickr, if budget permits. These tools generate high levels of precision and resistance in a controlled environment, which can help to improve performance.
For tracking progress, I employ a variety of methods including field tests, blood lactate testing, and analysis of workout data. I conduct field tests to measure athletic performance and progress, such as blood lactate testing. While I do perform lactate testing in-house, you can also get your lactate testing done at a nearby testing facility if you prefer. Additionally, I closely monitor workout data and use heart rate data to track progress. I also use performance diagnostics such as FTP, MAP, or data from a race to evaluate and measure your current fitness for example.
My custom training plans are tailored to each individual athlete's needs and goals. I take a holistic approach, taking into account not only your athletic background and experience with triathlon and other sports, but also your personal life and commitments. We will have initial conversations about your race calendar, and what events you would like to prepare for. I will also gather information about your work schedule, family commitments, and overall training availability. This information helps me to create a plan that is both challenging and achievable. Additionally, I incorporate regular field tests and blood lactate testing to track progress and adjust the plan as needed. I also use a variety of tools such as powermeters and heart rate monitors to help optimize training and ensure that we are meeting your goals. And most importantly, I stay in constant communication with my athletes, making adjustments as needed to help them achieve their goals.
I enjoy baking a variety of artisan breads, reading, tinkering around my house and nursing our garden. I love the outdoors, so spending time in Nature is very important to me - especially in the mountains. One of my dream is to hike the Annapurna Circuit (Nepal) or Picos de Europa (Northern Spain) in one day. And, of course, my unconditional love for riding a bicycle keeps me fit and allows me to explore and enjoy the views around the world.
In the late 90s, I was leading a triathlon in Italy. Somehow, I ended up running off the course. To my defense, the course was poorly marked. I realized my mistake eventually.... once I was surrounded by a few cows and a bull. I turned around and still managed to finish 4th, winning 500,000 Italian Lira! That sounds like a lot, but it really wasn’t that much money back then.
I feel very fortunate to have trained and lived in many places around the World. Each and every place has reserved a special place in my heart because of their very own beauty and my memories there. However, if I have to pick one, I have to say that my favorite place to train is a region called Allgaeu in Bavaria, southern Germany. The Allgaeu is a mountainous region with a diverse landscape. It is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts in both summer and winter.
I threw my running shoes and swimsuit out when I retired.