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Broken Triathlete Coaching
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I am an orthopedic physical therapist specializing in endurance athletes. I am also a 12-Time IM finisher and open water swimmer, and I do a little informal triathlon coaching on the side. I am considering significantly increasing how much I coach triathletes vs. treat patients. I have found that many of my patients once injured, and then rehabilitated, often need some formal direction/coaching to train correctly for their events. Additionally, their current coach may no longer be a good fit due to their unwillingness to change the athlete's programming to address the previous injury, etc. (surprising to me). I am considering opening a triathlon coaching business that would essentially be for athletes that have had a lot of injuries in the past, for after orthopedic surgery, and for those that can't seem to find a coach that appreciates that programming may need to be altered to keep certain folks injury free.

The reason for this post is to ask all of you if folks feel that there would be a demand for this service.

“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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as an athlete returning from an injury believe this could be a niche inside of the already niche of triathlon coaching. the physician I was working with game me guidance on how to get back to training at regular volume but he didn't offer a structured plan.
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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Personally I don't (at present) need your services but I could certainly see the merit of the idea.
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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n=1: yes
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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Seems pretty specialized...but, if you can make a business case out of it, why not?
Niche^2 Coaching Services - helping the injured return to form.





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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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I started this model about 5 years ago. So far its been going well. 50% of my business is seeing cash-pay PT patients (runners and triathletes), 50% is coaching...where most of them came to me initially with an injury. Would be glad to answer any questions if you'd like

CB
Physical Therapist/Endurance Coach
http://www.cadencept.net
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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I think it's a great idea. Sounds like you already have standing in your community, and that your abilities are already appreciated.

As a Fitter, I have great relationships with several medical professionals with whom I do mutual referrals. Beneficial for me, as I can alter the bike setup, but I can't fix the problem. The Doc can't fix the bike, but they can address the rider.

Agree that many coaches do not have the expertise or experience to accommodate injured athletes, especially post-op or *ahem* those athletes over a "certain age".

The other niche to get into now is "Texting Neck". It's going to be a shitstorm pandemic of cervial misery in the next 20yrs or less.

Anne Barnes
ABBikefit, Ltd
FIST/SICI/FIST DOWN DEEP
X/Y Coordinator
abbikefit@gmail.com
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [ABarnes] [ In reply to ]
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ABarnes wrote:
I think it's a great idea. Sounds like you already have standing in your community, and that your abilities are already appreciated.

As a Fitter, I have great relationships with several medical professionals with whom I do mutual referrals. Beneficial for me, as I can alter the bike setup, but I can't fix the problem. The Doc can't fix the bike, but they can address the rider.

Agree that many coaches do not have the expertise or experience to accommodate injured athletes, especially post-op or *ahem* those athletes over a "certain age".

The other niche to get into now is "Texting Neck". It's going to be a shitstorm pandemic of cervial misery in the next 20yrs or less.

I agree in principle but what if there is a conflict? IE if he does an exceptional job for 19 athletes but actually creates an injury in number 20?

Then he/she/they are tasked with fixing the problem and there might be some ass covering/shifting of blame because they are the experts in all areas.

I also have great relationships with various local health professionals an I appreciate their impartiality.

OP, not meant as a slight on you personally, just outlining a possible scenario.

2c,
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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multisportPT wrote:
I am an orthopedic physical therapist specializing in endurance athletes. I am also a 12-Time IM finisher and open water swimmer, and I do a little informal triathlon coaching on the side. I am considering significantly increasing how much I coach triathletes vs. treat patients. I have found that many of my patients once injured, and then rehabilitated, often need some formal direction/coaching to train correctly for their events. Additionally, their current coach may no longer be a good fit due to their unwillingness to change the athlete's programming to address the previous injury, etc. (surprising to me). I am considering opening a triathlon coaching business that would essentially be for athletes that have had a lot of injuries in the past, for after orthopedic surgery, and for those that can't seem to find a coach that appreciates that programming may need to be altered to keep certain folks injury free.

The reason for this post is to ask all of you if folks feel that there would be a demand for this service.


This is what a high performance coaching is on a daily basis. We work with athletes that have deal with injury (minor and major) at many times in there career. We take on new athletes that need to be rebuild from the ground up and brought back to the healthy path and consistent training. That simply part of the job. Or else...what are those coaches doing???

Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram
Last edited by: jonnyo: Oct 12, 17 18:14
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [jonnyo] [ In reply to ]
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This is what a high performance coaching is on a daily basis. We work with athletes that have deal with injury (minor and major) at many times in there career. We take on new athletes that need to be rebuild from the ground up and brought back to the healthy path and consistent training. That simply part of the job. Or else...what are those coaches doing???

We completely agree. In our practice we have just seen this multiple times unfortunately (coach moving on from an injured athlete). This actually just happened 2 weeks ago with a very good AG triathlete. This actually inspired my original post. I by NO means am saying most coaches do this! My tri coach would never do this. It just seems to happen enough to seek a way to better help these athletes and perhaps give them another safe, local option.

“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” - Ernest Hemingway
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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Sounds like you already have a good client base with you PT business. I think this would be a great idea and honestly would use it myself!
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Re: Broken Triathlete Coaching [multisportPT] [ In reply to ]
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multisportPT wrote:
We completely agree. In our practice we have just seen this multiple times unfortunately (coach moving on from an injured athlete). This actually just happened 2 weeks ago with a very good AG triathlete.

I think all in all it's better for that athlete to have had the coach realize that he/she can't deliver the product that athlete needs.

If an athlete is fighting injuries often, then maybe they need a bike fitter or maybe they need a corrective exercise specialist, sometimes the tri coach also does those things, but sometimes not.
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