Coach Spotlight - Peter Richards from TNB Coaching

Coach Spotlight is our special series where we feature one of the coaches around the world that makes Training Tilt possible. Today we have Peter Richards from TNB Coaching.  Peter comes to us from Brisbane, Australia.

"Chance favours the prepared mind and body"

This quote is how Peter strives to achieve in his own endeavours and is also the mindset he instils in his clients.

Peter focuses on two primary philosophies in his coaching. Longevity and education.

"I knew when I first started triathlons nearly 40 years ago I wanted to be doing this sport for a long time as I enjoyed it, found it challenging, it kept me fit and the community was great. Education aspect comes back to 'chance favours the prepared mind'. I don't necessarily coach but rather try to educate."

Why might other coaches benefit from hearing your story?

Although I have a passion for all things multisport coaching and competing my background in my other work-life is expansive and adds to my knowledge base. My lifelong personal quote is 'chance favours the prepared mind and body'. Simply if you are continually learning you are better positioned to take life's opportunities.

What would you say is the greatest success you've experienced building your coaching business?

Ah! This is funny as it's similar to a question I ask new clients focusing on their 'strengths', 'weakness', 'challenges' and 'success' about their sporting background. Very early on in my coaching, I was provided with some unexpected feedback from someone I wasn't even coaching. "I've learnt heaps from you, whilst you coach my daughter, that I've been able to take onboard myself". It highlighted to me early on that you can influence a far greater audience than you think you can.

What would you say is the greatest failure you've experienced building your coaching business?

In every failure, there's a lesson learned. I'm still working on it but building a sustainable online presence with a sound Return on Investment.

How would you describe your ideal coaching client? and why?

For me, a relative newbie to multisport but with a developed single sports background. I enjoy educating and building someone's capability and capacity and newbies are a relatively blank canvas. However, if they have a sports background already you are able to work-off this and 'fast-track' them to reach their goals.

How do you think your coaching peers would describe you?

Ah! Another one of the questions I ask new clients. Knowledgeable, passionate, empathetic and approachable.

What are your coaching philosophies? and how did they come about?

Two primary philosophies. Longevity and education. I knew when I first started triathlons nearly 40 years ago I wanted to be doing this sport for a long time as I enjoyed it, found it challenging, it kept me fit and the community was great. Education aspect comes back to 'chance favours the prepared mind'. I don't necessarily coach but rather try to educate.

When did you start coaching and why did you decide to become a coach?

It was a transferable skill I developed early in my working career. When I first started in triathlon I wanted to understand as much as possible about the sport, how to improve and the impacts on my body. There weren't many reference books or coaches at the time but I had a thirst for knowledge. It was this that lead me to part-time coaching.

How do you keep abreast of your professional coaching and business development?

I've found with my coaching business it's important not to overweigh certain aspects of the business or try to be all-things-to-all-people. I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to reading the newest sports performance research that I might be able to incorporate for my clients and this can be to the sacrifice of building the business. It's lead me to develop a mini annual action plan and allocate blocks of time to my various 'hats' and when I do this I can see where I need to look for support in areas that I don't enjoy, am experienced in or simply don't have enough time. It's the balance thing!

You can learn more about Peter and TNB Coaching on his website or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TNBsportscoaching