Knowledge Base

Endurance Coaching

Coaching is hard! A good coach must manage challenging athletes, build a business, grow his or her knowledge, stay on top of new software—in many ways, being a cycling, triathlon, or running coach today is harder than ever before. At the same time, it’s easy to find advice online—though it’s hard to know how good that information is.

At Fast Talk Labs, you can be certain you’re getting beneficial advice from our in-house coaches, who have over 40 years of experience in personal coaching, group coaching, and online coaching.

Are you a coach? We offer coaching support services to help you develop your practice and get answers to technical questions. Apply to join our Coaching Support program.

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Coach Philip Hatzis coaching an athlete

Different Business Models for Coaching

Joe Friel explores the pros and cons of different options available to coaches, both online or face-to-face. Consider the quality of the service you deliver, the time investment, what it’s worth, and the level of expertise required.

Coach Philip Hatzis reviews a plan with another Tri Training Harder Coach

Build a Solid Platform for Growth

Coach Philip Hatzis is in the business of positioning coaches for growth, both professionally and financially. He describes the mindset that every coach needs to embrace before they can effectively grow their business.

Coach Philip Hatzis of Tri Training Harder

Coach Philip Hatzis: From Training Camps to Training Coaches

When and why did you start a coaching business?   I started the business in 2010 while at university. Initially, I was all set to go into the Army. However, Tri Training Harder took over. A couple of friends and I set up the business to get some work experience as we needed a summer internship […]

Title card for Making Money as a Coach

Making Money as a Coach

Gordo Byrn used his racing career to build a coaching business. It started as a side gig to cover his racing habit, but, like many coaches, eventually he had to figure out how to turn a profit . . . and fast. Coming from the world of finance, Gordo brings a unique perspective to the business of coaching.

Coach Gordo Byrn on a trail in the Grand Canyon

Finding the Value of Your Time

Your billable rate is a key metric that will inform nearly every decision that you need to make in running a business. Gordo Byrn applied the same approach he took with his financial consulting business to his coaching business.

Marketing Your Coaching Business Thumbnail

Marketing Your Coaching Business

Frank Overton of FasCat Coaching streamlines a strategy for cost-effective marketing that can be scaled to fit any business. Couple a simple website with smart content marketing and you can get real traction that leads to growth.

FasCat Coaches riding on a gravel road

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Marketing

Frank Overton and Mike Ricci share more detail about their marketing strategies, both of which place a strong emphasis on attracting athletes with solid training advice.

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Managing a Coaching Team

Mike Ricci of D3 Multisport started out with a goal of getting to 100 athletes. He quickly realized he was going to need to hire more coaches. He describes the mistakes he made early in his career and how he manages his business now.

Coach Mike Ricci coaching triathletes

Mike Ricci, D3 Multisport

As a business owner, Mike Ricci personally interviews prospective athletes so he can match them with the coach who is best-suited to help them reach their goals.

Coaching business non-negotiables

5 Non-Negotiables to Include in a Contract

A good contract positions your coaching business for growth by creating opportunity and defending against unforeseen threats. Use your contracts to clearly define expectations for members of your coaching team.

Coach Mike Ricci training athletes

How to Hire Coaching Staff

Frank Overton and Mike Ricci describe how they go about hiring coaches to join their team. With hindsight on their side, these coaches explain why people and process factor heavily into their hiring decisions.

Coach Kendra Wenzel consulting with her athlete at Cyclocross world championships

Modern Profiles in the Craft of Coaching: Kendra Wenzel

Wenzel Coaching is a Portland-based business co-founded by former pro cyclist Kendra Wenzel. Today she coaches athletes at the highest level of the sport and equips her team of coaches to work with a wide range of clients. Find out more about her winning formula and her commitment to growing the sport of cycling.

A competitive marathon runner with arms raised in the air crosses the finish line at the Padova Marathon.

3 // Mapping a Season of Training

Anyone can make a training plan. But a good coach knows how to plan a season that unlocks an athlete’s true potential. Joe Friel is joined by a full line-up of master coaches in this module that will expand your thinking.

Illustrated headshot of Arthur Lydiard

Profiles in Coaching: Arthur Lydiard

Legendary running coach Arthur Lydiard revolutionized the sport with his approach to periodized training. In the 1960 and 1964 Olympics, his athletes rose to prominence, putting his 100-mile training week on the radar of running coaches worldwide.

Process for Goal Setting and Season Planning

Onboarding New Athletes

Goal assessment and season planning are two details you must attend to in taking on a new athlete.

Jim Miller USA Cycling Coach Fast Talk Podcast

What Makes a Good Training Plan?

USA Cycling’s Jim Miller reviews everything a coach must take into account to prepare a training plan that cultivates both performance and longevity for the athlete.