Coaching Cassandre Beaugrand to Olympic Gold: Insights from Gavin Smith
In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol speaks with Gavin Smith, Head Coach of the Loughborough University Triathlon Program, about his experience coaching Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand to a gold medal at the Paris Games. They delve into the preparation, challenges, and strategies that led to her historic victory. The discussion also explores the dynamics of building trust, managing a high-performance environment, and fostering lasting legacies in triathlon programs. Additionally, they touch on the role of support staff, training partners, and the evolving nature of triathlon competition. Support the Real Coaching Podcast: Itunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-coaching/id1052949196?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dpGop1CyvrgMpowOUc1Ll Subscribe to the Real Coaching Substack: https://joelfilliol.substack.com/ EPISODE TIMELINE 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:25 Coaching Olympic Champion Cassandre Beaugrand 00:55 Challenges and Strategies on Race Day 01:13 Developing Bike Performance and Team Support 01:31 Gavin Smith's Coaching Journey 02:04 Building Trust and Communication 02:21 Managing Dynamics with British Triathlon 02:58 Unique Environment at Loughborough University 03:52 Supporting the Podcast and Coaching Services 04:30 Discussion with Gavin Smith Begins 04:50 Preparing for the Home Olympics 05:45 Race Day Emotions and Reflections 09:54 Managing Pre-Olympic Challenges 13:34 Race Execution and Key Moments 18:35 Post-Race Reflections and Emotions 22:12 Building Momentum and Trust with Cassandra 30:37 Training Strategies and Building Confidence 36:48 Post-Olympics Reflections 37:13 Cass's Swimming Strategy and Challenges 38:38 Cass's Remarkable Recovery 39:29 Coaching Cass: Emotional Rollercoaster 40:53 Managing Energy and Strategies 42:41 Building Trust and Communication 49:30 Navigating University and British Triathlon Dynamics 01:02:08 Training Environment and Athlete Management 01:10:55 Managing Athlete Confidence and Positioning 01:12:52 The Evolution of Women's Racing Tactics 01:14:10 Creating a Supportive Training Environment 01:16:25 Balancing Individual and Group Training Needs 01:20:39 Challenges of Athlete Transition and Legacy 01:31:55 Future of Triathlon Training and Competition 01:44:46 Reflections on Coaching Success and Future Goals  SHOW NOTES / LINKS Loughborough Triathlon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboroltpc/ Loughborough Triathlon website https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/triathlon/performance/ Loughborough Triathlon coaching team: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/sports/triathlon/coachingteam/ 220 Magaizine article with Gavin: https://www.220triathlon.com/training/10-ways-to-train-like-olympic-champion-cassandre-beaugrand  Â
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1:49:57
Coaching Paris medallist Leo Bergere: Inside Fabio Rastelli's process
In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol speaks with Italian coach Fabio Rastelli about his coaching experiences with his Turbo Tribe Squad, including French Olympians in Paris 2024, Leo Bergere, the Bronze medallist, and Leonie Periault. Fabio discusses the origins and success of his squad, the balance between individual and group training, and the nuances of managing athletes for both short and middle-distance events. He reflects on the challenges faced during the Paris Olympics, the importance of maintaining stability in a training system, and the dynamics of the relay races. Fabio also shares his approach to integrating theory with practice and the benefits of constant learning and shared knowledge among coaches. Support the Real Coaching Podcast: Itunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-coaching/id1052949196?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dpGop1CyvrgMpowOUc1Ll Subscribe to the Real Coaching Substack: https://joelfilliol.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction to the Real Coaching Podcast 02:31 Meet Coach Fabio Rastelli 03:09 The Origin of Turbo Tribe Squad 06:11 Challenges and Doubts in Coaching 10:16 Balancing Training and Personal Life 16:15 Fabio's Background and Career Path 24:22 Principles and Values in Coaching 29:38 Reflections on the Paris Olympics 40:23 Balancing Multiple Disciplines in Training 47:27 Analyzing Athlete Preparation and Race Strategy 48:54 Challenges of Drafting and Non-Drafting Races 50:25 Managing the Unique Swim at the Paris Games 51:59 Dealing with Race Delays and Mental Preparation 01:00:15 Reflections on the Relay and Team Dynamics 01:07:05 The Importance of Stability in the French System 01:13:04 Post-Olympic Reflections and Future Goals 01:16:46 Balancing Individual and Group Training 01:22:26 Evolving Coaching Methods and Continuous Learning 01:27:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  SHOW NOTES / LINKS Fabio's Personal website https://fabiorastelli.com Fabio's personal instagram https://www.instagram.com/fabio.rast/ Turbo Tribe Squad instagram https://www.instagram.com/turbotritribe Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Fabio-RastelliÂ
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1:33:04
Katie Zaferes: From World Champion to Coach - Building the AUXO Collective
In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol is joined by Katie Zaferes, former World Triathlon Champion and double Olympic medallist turned coach. The discussion delves into Katie's transition from being a world-class athlete to embarking on a coaching career. They explore Katie's reflection on her experiences, the inception of her new project ‘AUXO Collective' based in North Carolina, and her vision of creating a supportive and growth-oriented training environment for athletes. Katie shares her coaching philosophy emphasizing simplicity, sustainability, and fostering athlete independence. The conversation highlights the challenges in setting up a new program, her approach to recruiting the right athletes, and the valuable lessons learned from her own career that she aims to pass on to her trainees. Support the Real Coaching Podcast: Itunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-coaching/id1052949196?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dpGop1CyvrgMpowOUc1Ll Subscribe to the Real Coaching Substack: https://joelfilliol.substack.com/ TIMELINE 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:02 Katie Zaferes' Coaching Journey 00:52 Goals and Philosophy of Katie's Coaching Project 02:01 Support and Challenges in Coaching 02:09 Encouraging Curiosity and Openness in Coaching 04:47 Katie's New Coaching Project in North Carolina 06:24 Katie's Reflections on Coaching Nuances 09:51 The Importance of Daily Training Environments 18:35 Challenges and Evolution of the AUXO Collective 22:06 Learning from Other Successful Programs 28:02 Balancing Community and High Performance 37:51 Katie's Coaching Philosophy and Approach 49:24 Balancing Autonomy and Decision-Making in Coaching 50:39 Connecting with Different Athlete Personalities 51:39 Building a Supportive Training Environment 53:14 Handling Challenging Athletes and Group Dynamics 56:12 The Importance of Athlete Buy-In 01:00:00 Transitioning from Athlete to Coach 01:02:32 Applying Personal Athletic Experience to Coaching 01:06:19 The Role of Reflection and Process in Coaching 01:10:46 Managing Training Intensity and Athlete Well-being 01:22:11 Advice for Aspiring Coaches and Athletes 01:30:21 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans SHOW NOTES AUXO Collective instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auxocollective/ Katie Zaferes instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kzaferes6/Â
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1:34:36
Rethinking Endurance Training: Insights from Peter Leo
In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol engages in an insightful discussion with Peter Leo, an endurance training scientist at Aus Cycling, and coach for the world tour cycling team, Jayco Alula. They delve into Peter's transition from a student to a researcher and coach, and explore his research interests, practical applications, and significant insights on durability, training evolution post-pandemic, and athlete development. They highlight the contrast between training approaches in cycling and triathlon, and discuss the importance of chronic load, individualized training, and the psychological aspects of competition. Peter shares his personal journey and offers valuable advice on balancing high-performance roles, self-care, and maintaining sustainable professional relationships. The episode also touches on the potential for AI in sports performance analysis and the need for greater collaboration in triathlon research. 00:00 Introduction to the Real Coaching Podcast 00:02 Meet Peter Leo: From Student to Coach 00:57 Exploring Peter's Research and Coaching Insights 02:02 Leadership Interlude: Strategic Plans and Culture 06:03 Support the Podcast: Coaching and Camps 07:31 Discussion with Peter Leo Begins 09:41 Peter's Background and Career Journey 27:33 The Concept of Durability in Endurance Sports 39:53 Training Volume and Intensity: Pre and Post-Pandemic 49:02 The Role of Individualization in Coaching 57:08 Introduction to Triathlon Training Challenges 58:16 The State of Evidence-Based Training in Triathlon 01:00:32 The Impact of Course Demands on Triathlon 01:06:27 Data Sharing and Collaboration in Triathlon 01:30:26 The Role of National Federations vs. World Tour Teams 01:34:29 Balancing High Performance and Personal Well-being 01:37:41 Peter's Journey and Reflections 01:49:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Support the Real Coaching Podcast: Itunes: https://geo.itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/real-coaching/id1052949196?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3dpGop1CyvrgMpowOUc1Ll Subscribe to the Real Coaching Substack: https://joelfilliol.substack.com/ SHOW NOTES Research Gate https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Peter-Leo Power Profiling: Power profiling and the power-duration relationship in cycling: a narrative review https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-021-04833-y Peter’s PHD - Longitudinal physiological and performance characteristics of U23 elite cyclists https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355378830_Longitudinal_physiological_and_performance_characteristics_of_U23_elite_cyclists Scientific Triathlon ep 319: Power profiling, critical power, and U23 cycling research with Peter Leo | EP#319 https://scientifictriathlon.com/tts319/ Twitter: @peter__leo https://interceptperformanceconsultancy.com Episode 516 - Exploring the Science of Critical Power and Speed with Coach Peter Leo https://www.fitter.co.nz/fitter-radio/2023/9/12/episode-516-exploring-the-science-of-critical-power-and-speed-with-coach-peter-leo Dr. Peter Leo - Advancements and best practice for power profiling cyclists - Part 1 of 2 https://cyclingperformanceclub.com/episodes/dr-peter-leo-advancements-and-best-practice-for-power-profiling-cyclists-part-1-of-2 Dr. Peter Leo - Advancements and best practice for power profiling cyclists - Part 2 of 2 https://cyclingperformanceclub.com/episodes/dr-peter-leo-advancements-and-best-practice-for-power-profiling-cyclists-part-2-of-2 The Compound Score in elite road cycling https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361643363_The_Compound_Score_in_elite_road_cycling https://www.jsc-journal.com/index.php/JSC/article/view/733 A useful training intensity chart https://www.wattkg.com/training-intensity-chart/ UAE's Performance Chief Unveils Pro Cyclists' Training Secrets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL5gHwyOonQ Joel Filliol’s talk at INSEP about Simon Whitfield in 2015 https://youtu.be/cdnO-_KaqZs?si=XdEi4M4cCEeyWPir Jason Fried’ blog on Culture: https://world.hey.com/jason/company-culture-is-the-last-50-days-dab19416
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1:49:52
Pathways and Pitfalls: Coaching Reflections with Drew Box
In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol sits down with Drew Box, the co-coach of the JFTcrew squad, to discuss Drew's journey from being a coached athlete to becoming a coach himself. They delve into Drew's reasons for making the transition, the challenges he's faced, his advice for his younger self, and what makes good coaching. They also explore broader topics like the influence of bureaucratic organizations on coaching, the importance of long-term planning, and the role of confidence in athletic performance. The conversation touches on various high-performance programs and offers advice for young coaches looking to succeed. 00:00 Introduction to the Real Coaching Podcast 00:17 Drew Box's Journey from Athlete to Coach 01:43 Coaching Challenges and Insights 04:14 Supporting the Podcast and Upcoming Content 05:51 Drew Box's Athletic Background 09:18 Transitioning to Coaching 13:26 Learning from Other Coaches 18:03 Reflections on Training and Coaching 29:01 Building Confidence in Athletes 37:40 The Role of Instinct in Coaching 44:35 Reflecting on Coaching Experiences 45:07 Understanding Talent in Coaching 45:33 Adapting Communication for Athletes 46:01 Learning from Other Coaches 47:10 Observing and Making Changes 48:38 Empathy and Coaching 50:23 Challenges in Coaching Top Athletes 01:06:13 The Role of Federations in Athlete Success 01:16:41 Advice for Young Coaches 01:22:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  SHOW NOTES Drew's instagram - follow the daily activies of the JFTcrew Squad https://www.instagram.com/drew.box/ Stu McMillan's profile on Altis https://altis.world/author/smcmillan/Â
Real Coaching with international triathlon coach Joel Filliol is a conversation about high performance coaching through the eyes of coaches and athletes on the front lines. From training basics, periodisation, planning, and performance to communication and athlete management, we discuss how to improve every athlete.
New Zealand