I am 20 years old, and have been racing for 5 years. I’ve learned a ton during those years about everything multisport,from running to how to swim properly(even if I’m working on that myself still). I don’t think anyone would hire a 20 year old coach, but is there a way I could make money in multisport. I was thinking of leading camps or advising people before races, IDK sky is the limit. Any ideas?
What races have you won? What accreditations have you earned? Have you developed a pedigree of either of these?
Never won a race, have taken first amateur several times though, raced Junior Development series, coached by some top level coaches. I have a fairly extensive race resume, I have won my age group in almost every race I’ve ever done, but it’s a lot easier as a young guy to do that.
My wife is a successful personal trainer and running coach. She started personal training just for some extra money in university. She hasn’t stopped since and has found ways to enjoy her career and make an excellent income.
You can absolutely be successful in the fitness / multisport industry. Everyone has to start their career at some point, and what better time to start building than when you’re 20! Perhaps it might be in your best interests to start working for a fitness club as a personal trainer / coach just to get some income coming in and to develop your reputation and your skills as a coach. At some point down the road, you may very well have enough of your own client base to work on your own.
There are triathlon coaching certification programs that incorporate a ‘how to be successful in business’ element. Even if you feel like you have a handle on the sport side of things, the certification will give a much better understanding of how to approach the coaching side of the sport.
Sell your triathlon equipment and find another hobby. 
I’m selling as much as I can, but it’s tough! I’m so addicted but I can see it costs a ton!
I’m 49 and attempting to start a new career owning a running store. Well I’m attempting to attempt it…I’ve yet to do any positive action yet other than to be an athlete, but with luck fairly soon I’ll be getting some experience in the field.
So one possibility is a triathlon-related store. As the owner of such a thing, you’re in a perfect position to help with local runs/rides/races and get involved with clubs. Maybe get a side job as a track coach at a school. (These are all things I consider I could do as well.)
Start networking. This is my personal failure. (That and a complete lack of cash onhand.) Don’t let it be yours.
Keep dreaming and asking around, talk to people, and keep all your options open. It’s good to dream and plan. You never know.
My thought is get involved in your local tri club and work with newbies or intermidiate. Not everyone wants to pay big money for a coach at the begining, but would be willing to pay something for your hands on experience. To me hands on in the begining is a really valuable tool that on line does not offer.
My parents both think that I should try to get involved in the multisport industry, but we don’t have the money for a store and the ones near us don’t hire often, and when they do the hours don’t work out.
My parents both think that I should try to get involved in the multisport industry, but we don’t have the money for a store and the ones near us don’t hire often, and when they do the hours don’t work out.
I haven’t the money either. Hell I can say right now that retirement for me is out of the question. I’ll die working.
All I can do is make a business plan and hit up friends/relatives and rich people on ST to invest. (Triathletes are rich!)
So, step 2 (after gaining some experience in retail and as an athlete): I need to learn to make a business plan. That’s a start for you too, possibly.
You have the advantage of age on your side. Plenty of time to learn.
Maybe become a product rep??? If you like traveling and trade shows, might be fun.
Some of the best career advice I got when I was 20 was “Do your best to build credibility because you have a ‘manageable liability’”. What the person who gave me that advice meant was being 20 is a ‘liability’ because the age seems “too young” to have specific-knowledge job credibility… But with professionalism and a great work ethic, that “liability” may be managed by the individual.
Whatever you decide, IMHO, get some certifications and maybe degrees. If you decide to coach, get the education solid. When I started mutlisport several years ago, I decided to work with a nationally known coach. After working with him for about a year, I checked his education and noted that he didn’t have a higher level degree or any certifications. His knowledge was very limited and after I began to get more knowledgeable in multisport, his lack of depth in sports / exercise science and etc was very obvious. It seemed as if he is / was a coach who based on all his marketing on “smoke and mirrors” with little scientic knowledge.
There are many threads on here about coaching. All seem to come to a conclusion that to be a great coach, it’s not 100% necessary that you win races. That helps, but not necessary. Coaches with top athletes are either badass, very intelligent or both.
Thanks for the advice, I don’t know how I would start on that. Haha but I have to make a note I find your name amusing because as a perfectionist it bugs me that your name isn’t spelled correctly, I know it probably wasn’t available but still haha.
Go to Uni. and get a kinesiology degree and have some knowledge to back up the skills.
Haha. Cool. That’s the irony of my forum name… Deliberately not spelled correctly. ;). Makes logging in with auto-correct on the phone fun.
If you are interested in product rep jobs, best bet is to go to the career sections of brands’ websites. Another option would be to get involved in local shops (even REI is good if you have those stores where you are… Sports Authority and those stores are good as well for getting involved in sports product sales.).
Coaching… Maybe start off with an ACE or NASM personal training certification. Start now with USAT Level I then over time with their focus on “service to the sport”, work up a great resume and then go for USAT Level II and III. Good luck.
The best way to “Get Rich” in triathlons is to start out “Weathy”
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What are you in school for and where do you work now? Please tell me you have a job…
-Physiojoe
Hi, the best way is to mange your own race…
Do you know how to make a small fortune? Start with a large fortune and become a triathlete!
Ding, ding, ding!