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They were paying a lot for coaching… but still felt stuck
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This athlete learned it the hard way. On the surface, everything looked right. The program was polished. The coach was well known. The investment was significant. Behind the scenes, though, something wasn’t working. As she put it: “My previous coach felt personalized at first, but over time it just became like she was spitting out some program she had on the internet.” That disconnect mattered. Communication was minimal. Context was missing. And when injuries and challenges in life got in the way. The program wouldn't change.
“It wasn’t taking into account anything I was telling her about how I was feeling or what was going on in my life,” she said. “It was just like, ‘here are these workouts, blindly follow them.’”
That’s when frustration set in. They had already invested heavily in this coach. On paper, it all looked “high level.” But in practice, something felt off. The training was generic. Support was distant. And progress felt uncertain. It felt like being handed a template and being told to “just trust the process,” even when the process didn’t quite fit. Over time, that disconnect adds up. Instead of confidence, there was hesitation. Instead of momentum, there were unanswered questions. Training became something to grind through rather than something that supported health, goals, and long-term progress. When we started working together, the shift wasn’t dramatic or flashy. It was simple and intentional. First, we slowed things down. Looked closely at injury history and the differences of training with an injury. We talked about what to focus on, both on and off the bike. We built structure that actually made sense for where she was right now, not where a generic program assumed she should be. Progression wasn't forced because thats how the program was designed. Progression occurred when the body was ready for it. That difference was obvious to her early on. “Yours was way more personalized. It was ‘what are your goals, what are you working towards, okay, let’s actually build a program that addresses that.’” The road back from injury wasn’t going to be short. She needed support, structure, and communication. Mobility stopped being an afterthought and became part of the foundation. Strength work had a clear purpose, it was adjusted to work with her injury. On-bike training didn't compete with the work in the gym. And just as importantly, communication was ongoing.
“You seemed way more available,” she said, “With my previous coach, answers were short, and half the time she forgot what I told her.”
Questions were encouraged. Feedback was detailed and personal. Adjustments happened when they needed to happen. Everything started to click. Performance in the gym improved. She felt stronger and more confident on the bike. There was clarity around why things that were in her program were important, not just what the work was. Training stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a system that supported progress instead of fighting against it. The biggest takeaway wasn’t just better numbers or PRs. It was this: “I saw more results in my first year here than I did in four years with my previous coach.” It was the feeling of being coached, not just programmed. Good coaching isn’t about forcing people to follow a plan. It’s about connection, structure, accountability, availability, and meeting the athlete where they are, especially when injuries, life, and long-term goals are part of the equation. When those pieces come together, training stops being a source of stress and becomes a tool for confidence, performance, and longevity. If this story feels familiar, it might be worth asking a simple question: Are you being coached — or just following a program? If you’re looking for structure, support, and a coaching approach that actually adapts to you, please reach out to have a conversation about how my style of coaching may help you. No pressure. |
Hi! I'm am a coach that helps mountain bikers build and repair themselves.
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