During my time as a coach, I have been lucky enough to have had involvement with some outstanding athletes.
Olympic gold medalists, world champions and more recently a true legend of sport.
As a very keen amateur, it is a privilege to have spent some time with these people and learn as much as possible from them.
There are of course characteristics that are shared among these winners:
Single-mindedness
Laser-like focus
A willingness to learn
An acceptance of their weaknesses
Every time I have worked with this caliber of athlete I had been humbled by their “ordinary-ness”.
They are easy to coach because of it.
What they are not, are people who look for excuses NOT to do something – they truly do have a can-do attitude.
That and of course exceptional physiology.
How much of their success is to do with talent and how much to do with hard work is difficult to isolate.
Last weekend I was chatting with one such legend about his nutrition and how he managed his weight during the race season.
“Six hour rides with no food”
He told me.
He went on to say how this did leave him open to catabolism (muscle wastage) and very susceptible to virus’.
But it got him down to race weight.
Is this the sort of advice which would work for mortals such as you and me?
Probably not.
We don’t have the physiology or mindset of the pro’s – otherwise you would not be reading this.
You’d already have a nutritionist as part of your support team.
And that there is the key.
They are supported and guided in their journey – they are coached through their challenges as soon as they show talent, usually as a child.
You have not been.
Following Wednesdays email, I’ve had 4 new clients sign up for coaching, welcome to:
Kerry,
Sarah,
Kristin,
Peter.
Which leaves one spot still available for one to one nutrition coaching before the New Year.
I will personally delve into your current diet, your aims and then form a plan to achieve your goals, sensibly, healthily and without starting yourself on six-hour rides!
Hit the link to sign up now:
Jamie “lucky coach” Leighton