I thought I’d pass along some info to any multisport athletes who may be looking for a personalized coach like I was. I’ve been working with Josh Merrick, a pro triathlete out of Lakewood, Colorado via email/phone for about 4 months and he’s been great. (I live in California). He’s a great Christian guy who started Cross Training Enduro Sports coaching recently as is now taking on athletes (obviously you don’t need to be a Christian athlete, but I thought I’d throw that in there to share a bit about him). You can get in touch with him via his website (www.joshmerrick.com) or at CrossTrainingEnduroSports@gmail.com. With his experience in physical therapy/exercise physiology he understands the body well. PM me with any questions about him/his coaching from the athlete’s perspective.
-Ryan
About the Coach:
Joshua Merrick, PT, sDPT
Academic Resume:
· Doctor of Physical Therapy
· BA of Exercise Physiology, Adams State College
· BA of Psychology, Adams State College
Athletic Resume:
· Professional Triathlete/Duathlete
· Represented USA at 2008 Duathlon Short Course World Championships in Rimini, Italy
· 8th Place 2007 Boulder Peak Triathlon
· 10th Place 2008 Boulder Long Course Triathlon
· 2-time Mile High Duathlon Series Champion (Hold 2 of 3 Course Records)
· 6-time NCAA All-American Track and Cross-Country
· 3-time NCAA Academic All-American Cross-Country
· 2003 NCAA Cross-Country Team Champions
Not to be a jerk, but what does religion have to do with being a good coach? Easier workouts on Sunday? Bible study podcasts for listening during trainer rides?
Either he’s a good coach or not. Religion has nothing to do with coaching unless you’re intoleratant of any other religion besides Christianity.
Why even include it if it doesn’t matter? I implies his character is better than some others or that being a born again, bible thumpin whack job means you’ll get along great. What if he were a Muslim, would that make him less appealing as a coach?
Man I hate it when people throw religion into places that it doesn’t belong.
As a Christian athlete working with a Christian coach, for myself it has been cool to see eye to eye on some other things beyond the training, and I think it has strengthened our athlete-coach relationship since we share that commonality. The more you share in common with someone in general, the closer you often can get (not always, but often). If there are other Christian athletes seeking coaches, it’s possible they too might want a coach who shares their perspective. Also, for people who think Christians are “whack jobs”, like yourself, I’ve included this info to inform you of the coach’s stance, so that you won’t waste your time contacting him. I also wrote it doesn’t matter what people believe, since he’s a good coach no matter who the athlete is, and is accepting or everyone. If someone stands up for a belief, this doesn’t mean they won’t respect you and your beliefs. Thanks for understanding.
-Ryan, aka a “bible thumpin whack job”
So, basically what you’re saying is that if he were a Muslim he’d not be worth your money. What if I cussed while on the phone with the coach or in an email, would he chastise me and recite a biblical quote?
Personally, much as I don’t want my wife to be just like me, I don’t want a coach to be just like me. Differences are what expand the mind and open our eyes. Otherwise you have group think which is pretty much the hallmark of organized religion. Like I said, I hate when religion is indicated as a qualification or bonus for things. Hate it.
If he’s a good coach, he’s a good coach and leave it at that.
Your blowing the guys post completely out of porportion/ context. He was simply mentioning a little bit about the coach. Some athletes may want a coach who has christian beliefs and there is nothing wrong with that, and if its not your thing- then I’m pretty sure the guy is cool with that as well.
Not speaking about the OP specifically, some of the most closed minded, non-accepting individuals have been the aformentioned born-again bible thumpers.
So, if you were a gay Muslim I’d guess this coach may well sure he may well have issues with you…
As I said, I have no problem with religion and I have no problem with coaching. I have a problem when people say that a qualification of a coach is that he’s religious or that this somehow makes him “better.”
Last time I checked I was turning the pedals, not some higher power. IMHO, a coach should help me turn the pedals better, not get me in touch with the holy father.
Where in that post does it say he was a “born-again bible thumper”? Or are you insinuating that by merely being a Christian means he is therefore a nutjob?
If you don’t like what the OP said then move on. Plenty of folks find swim/bike/run to be a spiritual experience and if this coach wants to communicate his personal religious beliefs, that is his right. I find your intolerance disgusting and certainly not appropriate for the Classifieds.
In case you didn’t go the Jobs board, the rules state to advertise coaching services in the Classifieds. The OP did just that.
Macho…lose the attitude man. You sound like a douche.
Everything isn’t black and white, or separate vs. blended. There are shades of gray in the world.
Some people other than yourself may view having a christian coach as an added bonus. What if he said the Coach likes to ride a Trek bike, maybe those individuals with a Trek bike would prefer to have a coach ride the same bike as they are. Will it make you faster, no, but there is no reason for the hate.
You are no better than the original poster or the coach. You turned a perfectly good thread into a bitch fest.
You have a lot to learn about life and I feel sorry for you.
I have to admit, when you introduce the religion thing it loses me. What does it have to do with tri training. I feel when you include this in your ad, you are scaring away 90% of the demographic. The “bible bangers” will be all over this guy. But what are you after?
I read this soon after it was posted and you lost me after you included the religion thing.
What if we were to draw parallels to any of the other characteristics that were protected under the Equal Opportunity Act.
For example:
He’s a great homosexual guy who started Sports coaching recently as is now taking on athletes (obviously you don’t need to be a homosexual athlete, but I thought I’d throw that in there to share a bit about him)
or
He’s a great Puerto Rican guy who started Sports coaching recently as is now taking on athletes (obviously you don’t need to be a **Puerto Rican **athlete, but I thought I’d throw that in there to share a bit about him)
You fellas are being short sighted. A christian coach can help you with the never ending question: should I skip my 6 hour long ride on Sunday, and go to church; or should I ride for 6 hours. Personally, I can’t help you, but I bet he can tell you.
You make my point for me: Why is an adjective necessary at all? Either he’s a good coach or he’s not.
He could be a Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Deweler for all I care, but as long as he made me better and helped me reach my goals (As opposed to heaven) then adjectives don’t matter…
You make my point for me: Why is an adjective necessary at all? Either he’s a good coach or he’s not.
He could be a Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Deweler for all I care, but as long as he made me better and helped me reach my goals (As opposed to heaven) then adjectives don’t matter…
Excuse me but… the adjectives matter, at least to you.
I don’t want a coach to be just like me. Differences are what expand the mind and open our eyes.
How do you know if he’s different, if you don’t know how he is? People looking for a like minded (like OP) and people looking for a non like minded (like yourself perhaps?) coach would want as many adjectives as possible. It seems this coach would suit you both for the very reason that he is christian. People do don’t matter should not care.
Me, I’m more like you - looking for an opposite.
Anyone out there that can recommend a coach that fits the following criteria:
Female
Good looking
Single
Good triathlete
Lightly slutty (only to the extent that you think that she is slutty only to/with you)