I am currently in the business of “coach” hunting. What would be the proper method for finding a coach who meets evidence based criteria. Actually, what is the evidence based criteria?
I think the best thing an athlete can do is ask lots of questions:
- What is your athletic background?
- What formal training to you have?
- What athletes have you coached? Can I speak with them?
- Describe your philosophy so I can compare it to my personal philosophy/availability/commitment?
- What are your athlete retention levels?
- Why do athletes leave you? Why do they stay?
- What significant improvements in your athletes can you cite and WHY did YOU make them occur?
- How many years have you coached? How many athletes per year? How many athletes currently? How many do you aspire to coach at any given time?
- What tools do you use to measure progress in an athlete?
BTW, in the interest of full-disclosure, I’m a coach with Wenzel Coaching (www.wenzelcoaching.com) working with both cyclists and triathletes alike. My most-successful season was working with Marc Becker at www.ironguides.net. I’m currently working with Scott McMillan from Factor 9 coaching (www.f9c.com) and I’ll be attending a Mitch Gold training camp next March in preparation for IMAZ.
Cheers,
Jonathan C. Puskas
Thats a pretty comprehensive list you put together- Ditto what you said!
I wish Marc Becker still posted here… he stirred the shit as much as Paulo… 
Did someone mention my name?
In fact, I am back in action coaching full time after a brief hiatus in investment banking. Fees are steep, success is guaranteed, work is plentiful, and I teach you to become your own power meter and heart rate monitor. Life is after all a qualitative experience so we aim to keep it that way.
And you bet, looking for some bitchin’ new clients.
Marc
Marc,
Nice to see you back
.
Fees are steep, success is guaranteed, work is plentiful…
That is kind of an awesome motto right there.
And you bet, looking for some bitchin’ new clients.
That’s the only reason you post here, and you know it!
Welcome back :-)))
And you bet, looking for some bitchin’ new clients.
That’s the only reason you post here, and you know it!
Welcome back :-)))
NOW things are starting to make LOT of sense
BillyJ has a Helen-Keller-at-the-water-fountain moment
I was wondering how (or why) any person could be THAT much of a pr*ck - ALL the time. It’s all clear as a bell now. Well I’ll be darn! I guess it works!
Other than the “guarantee” part, I thought he was referring to the i-banking industry. Although the cynic in me would have included “value add is minimal”
By faith, and faith alone…
I found a new signature line…
I’m kinda disappointed you didn’t use this one
"In fact, when you want to grow your business beyond giving yourself a reach around, as you screw yourself, look me up. Happy to help. " - Rich Strauss
OOoohh… that’s a good one…
Marc, nice to see that you are back. Are you still based in the Cote d’Azur? I am potentially looking to rent a house in Bourg d’Oisans and have a bunch of North American posers and tristuds over next May for a week of ride till you drop “vertical reality” over many famous cols…a good day should not be based on hours or distance covered, but how many meters of vertical were ascended…
I still would like to see the original question answered.
What does Rene Wenzel say about doping these days?
Personally, I’d have a hard time being associated with a man reported to have settled a doping lawsuit. Perhaps if he came clean and became an outspoken advocate for clean riding, I’d try and understand “the times” the cycling world was in back then and the decisions he made.
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/386.0.html
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/9763.0.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Carmichael
By the way, the same goes for Chris Carmichael and CTS, and no, I’m not trying to smear anyone. Were the allegations a factor for you in opting to work for Wenzel Coaching?
The Team with whom I’ve worked at Wenzel have all been entirely classy individuals. i’ve never heard ANY discussion of recommending anything illegal to any of our athletes ever.
While interviewing, I asked about the allegations, received adequate answers, discussed how Wenzel would help me learn/develop as a coach, and decided to join them 7 years ago. It was a good decision and I’m glad to work with each and every member of our coaching staff.
Regards,
Jonathan C. Puskas
Thanks for the direct answer.
It explains your choice to work for Wenzel Coaching, but also leaves me wondering if the staff, starting at the top, are currently actively promoting a strong anti-doping culture, or are merely hoping to have the whole doping issue fade away.
I’ll take a shot… ask one question:
Can a coach produce RESULTS across a wide spectrum of athletes and abilities, and are the results verifiable?