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     

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-Rastelli 

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/ 

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

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/ 

In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol transitions the Real Coaching Podcast into The Real Physio Podcast, with guest Brad Beer from the Pogo Physio Clinic and The Physical Performance Show Podcast. The discussion dives deep into the importance of physiotherapy, the value of embedding a physio within training squads, and Brad’s approach to high-performance sports physiotherapy. Joel & Brad explore various aspects of injury prevention and recovery, effective coaching strategies, and how to integrate sports science and clinical research into practice. They also discuss dealing with common injuries like bone stress, Achilles problems, and shoulder pain in triathletes. Tune in for insights on fostering athlete health, psychological resilience, and the critical role of communication in high-performance sports. Subscribe to the Real Coaching Podcast: iTunes link, Spotify link, Overcast link, RSS link 00:00 Introduction to The Real Physio Podcast 00:43 The Role of Physiotherapy in Triathlon Coaching 03:37 Challenges and Experiences in Australia 07:59 Interview with Brad Beer Begins 08:55 Brad Beer's Background and Philosophy 12:30 The Importance of Accurate Diagnosis and Communication 14:20 Empathy in Physiotherapy 16:05 Intersection of Psychology in Physio and Coaching 24:53 Balancing Clinical Experience and Research 39:38 Understanding and Preventing Bone Injuries 43:32 Optimizing Bone Health Through Targeted Workouts 44:56 Integrating Strength Training with Endurance Training 46:33 Effective Rehabilitation Strategies 47:37 Return to Running: Best Practices and Considerations 56:34 Managing Common Injuries in Triathletes 01:10:29 Self-Management Tips for Athletes 01:16:38 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information SHOW NOTES The Physical Performance Show Episode 193 - Joel Filliol, Elite Triathlon Coach, Olympic Performance Director Italian Triathlon Federation https://physicalperformanceshow.com/episode/joel-filliol/ The Physical Performance Show https://physicalperformanceshow.com Pogo Physio Clinic: https://www.pogophysio.com.au Pogo Physio Instagram Pogo Physio Facebook Pogo Physio Youtube About Brad Beer: https://www.pogophysio.com.au/team/brad-beer/ Articles by Brad: https://www.pogophysio.com.au/blog/author/brad-beer/ TriStrong.com/au (coming soon) Twitter: Brad_Beer LinkedIN bbeer Instagram brad_beer Follow Joel on youtube, X, Instagram, facebook, LinkedIn, and now substack where you can subscribe to get the after dark commentary that is only available to subscribers

Real Coaching Podcast: Wisdom in High Performance with Joel Filliol Joel Filliol reintroduces himself and his podcast, 'The Real Coaching Podcast,' after a hiatus. As a high-performance coach with extensive experience, including three Olympic Games and multiple world triathlon championships, Joel aims to share his unique insights and lessons learned from coaching across various contexts and countries. This introductory episode emphasizes the importance of wisdom in coaching, avoiding common pitfalls, and focusing on sustainable long-term performance. Joel discusses fundamental coaching principles, the value of reflection, and the need to prioritize simplicity and effectiveness over chasing novel trends. The episode also highlights how listeners can support the podcast and benefit from Joel's coaching, consulting, and training camps. 00:00 Welcome Back to the Real Coaching Podcast 00:11 Joel Filliol's Coaching Journey 01:34 Podcast Evolution and Popular Episodes 02:42 Hiatus and New Experiences 03:25 Coaching Philosophy and Athlete Management 05:59 The Role of Technology in Coaching 07:30 Wisdom in Coaching: Key Insights 09:17 Applying Wisdom to Coaching Practices 19:03 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Training 23:46 Summary and Future Plans SHOW NOTES Follow me on youtube, X, Instagram, facebook, LinkedIn, and now substack where you can subscribe to get the after dark commentary that is only available to subscribers  Real Coaching Podcast Popular episodes: 10: The Impact of Scientific Knowledge on Coaching 5: Swim Myth Busting 15: Training Needs Hierarchy Farnam Street Blog: https://fs.blog  Steve Magness’ video The evolution of endurance training: https://youtu.be/v2-rlQeR00g?si=EDTW5HnfaYzT6UMj 

In this episode of the Real Coaching podcast Joel discusses preparing to coach athletes in championships with Swedish coach Joachim Willén, coach of rising star Vasco Villaça of Portugal. "The more you look, the more you see." Topics discussed include what's different about championships and the Olympic Games, how coaches can get the best out of their athletes. Preparation, the physical and mental approach, what to say and what not to say. Value based coaching, creating stability for yourself as a coach and for your athletes. How to develop as a coach and be ready for big opportunities at the right moments. Notes from Episode 22: 1-1 Consulting with Joel for coaches or athletes Joel's eBook 3-Pack Joachim Willen Instagram Joachim Willen Twitter Vasco Villaça personal site Future Stars of Triathlon: Macca Show notes page

In this episode of the Real Coaching podcast Joel revisits the topic of effective triathlon swim training, on the basis of the original popular “Top 20 Rules for Faster Triathlon Swimming’ article. Joel coverers why conditioning trumps drills, the role of frequency and volume in swim training, how to use swim ‘toys’ such as band, pull buoy and paddles, and different types of paddles. Joel also covers program design and set design and why triathlon swimming is different than pool swim training. Show Notes 1-1 Consulting with Joel for coaches or athletes Joel's eBook 3-Pack Real Coaching Podcast 5: Swim Myth Busting Joel’s Top 20 Swim Tips original article Send a Voicemail question to Joel for the Podcast

Canadian triathlon legend Barrie Shepley joins Joel on Episode 2 of season 3 of the Real Coaching Podcast. Barrie and Joel talk about Joel's progression from athlete to coach, and lessons learned along the way. From Joel's start racing in the Kids of Steel series in Ontario Canada, to the move to Victoria British Columbia to start 'real coaching', the Beijing Olympics, and how to work with top athletes, coaching 'superstars'. Why Joel left Canada, the move from British Triathlon before London 2012 and starting the JFTcrew squad, and where the sport headed in the future.  The episode starts with a discussion on the coaching workflow, planning process with the view on the season plan. Common mistakes in coaching are discussed and short term vs long term coaching issues. Links:  Anti-Process 2020 ebook Joel's ebooks and webinars: ebook 3-pack Building the Elite Triathlete, Characteristics of the High Level athlete and How Champions Train Characteristics of Effective Coaching webinar + ebook Barrie Shepley LinkedIn Twitter Personal Best Barrie's online clinic with Joel's interview and many others