Alison and Jennifer encouraged other coaches to find their coaching niche, build a recognizable brand, and aim to treat their own coaching business as professionally as possible.
By ALP Cycles Coaching
Last weekend, in Colorado Springs, was the USA Cycling Coaches Summit. Every two years coaches from around the country come to USA Cycling to increase their coaching knowledge and knowhow.
ALP Coaches, Alison, Jennifer, and Ruth attended the coaching summit. Over the course of 3 days, there were 18 presentations. One of the 18, was how to Build a Sustainable Coaching Business prepared and presented by Alison and Jennifer to 75 coaches . Alison and Jennifer used ALP Cycles Coaching's business model and ideas. They encouraged other coaches to find their coaching niche, build a recognizable brand, and aim to treat their own coaching business as professionally as possible.
The other 17 presentations ranged from; effectively using data, monitoring muscle glucose levels, applying science to optimal performance, cardiac risk in athletes, mental preparation, heat adaption, disordered eating, and more.
There was a lot to take in and learn in the 3 days. After the summit, each coach got her own take away lesson(s).
Jennifer- My biggest takeaway from the weekend is that there are so many faucets of cycling that generating income and finding pockets of revenue require some ingenuity. From collegiate cycling, to grand fondo's, to tracking glycogen, to pedaling symmetry, and paralysis through analysis. As data analysis become more mainstream and training plans start becoming computer generated, cycling coaches are going to have to shift from how they've done things in the past and make sure they stay relevant in today's market. I really like Kevin's initial question- "Who here has the silver bullet?" Meaning who has the secret to everything? And the truth is no one- but we can keep searching for it and figuring out what tools work best for each of us.
Ruth- My biggest takeaway was the number of coaches and how they inspired me to apply myself in different ways to be a more effective coach. Through difference presentations and talks, roughly 150 coaches were able to share their passion which I found contagious. There are many approaches to take, and more one that is the be all and end all way, but we keep learning and exploring all the time.
Alison- My biggest take away from the weekend was how important it is to really explain the 'why's' to our athletes and to teach them about their training and their sport. Ask questions and get the athlete involved in their training and athletic experience. There is so much more to training and coaching than a training plan. A successful athlete is one who is well rounded, knowledgeable, confident, buys into their training and recovery processes, takes care of their body and their hydration and nutrition needs. A coach is there to lead the athlete, guide the athlete, teach the athlete, and prepare them so, come race day, all they have to do is perform.
We strongly believe in continuing education for our ALP coaches. Just like our athletes, our coaches must strive to raise their game to stay on top of the sport and the ever growing knowledge on the body, training, cycling, recovery, data, etc. Thank you USA Cycling for providing valuable knowledge and tools for our coaches.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alison Powers only recently retired from cycling, finishing her final season on the UnitedHealthcare Women’s Team. Her career has spanned a wide array of wins, including the 2013 USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championship where she won in memorable fashion by soloing after an early breakaway that obliterated the pro women’s peloton. Other standout results during the 33-year-old’s 2013 season include the win at Redlands Bicycle Classic, second at the Tour of Elk Grove, third at the US National Road Championship and the US National Time Trial Championship, and stage wins at Cascade Classic, Tulsa Tough, Tour of the Gila and Redlands Bicycle Classic. Hailing from Fraser, Colorado, Powers has been racing bikes professionally for eight years and is a true athlete with her career beginning as a teenager in mountain bike racing. In her mid 20s, she added in alpine ski racing before switching over to the road. In addition to being the current Criterium National Champion, Powers has two other national championships (Time Trial, Team Pursuit) and 2 NRC titles (2009, 2013).
