Podcast
The Endurance Coaching Business Podcast
Hosted by Training Tilt · EN
Short actionable tips to help create, manage or grow a running, triathlon or endurance sports coaching business online
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
AI Made me Lazy and Incompetent
Apr 1000:12:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I unpack a tension I’ve been feeling more and more as AI becomes part of my daily workflow.AI has become incredibly useful. It helps with content, software development, problem solving, and all sorts of work that used to take much longer. In many cases, it feels almost magical. But there’s a catch.Used carelessly, AI can make us faster while also making us lazier in the ways that matter most.This episode is about that hidden downside. Not because AI is bad, but because it changes how we work. And if we don’t update our process along with the tools, we risk skipping the thinking that builds real competence.I talk about this mostly from the perspective of software development and running a software business, but the same lessons apply to coaching too. Whether you’re using AI to write training plans, athlete messages, content, or admin workflows, the risk is similar: AI can produce solid output, but it can’t fully replace context, judgment, or oversight.The real problem isn’t that AI makes mistakes. The real problem is that it can make it easier for us to approve work we haven’t properly interrogated.That’s where bad habits creep in.In this episode, I explore why speed can hide weak process, why review is not the enemy of speed, and why AI is starting to feel less like a tool and more like an employee or collaborator. And if that’s true, then it needs to be managed the same way we’d manage a team member: with direction, oversight, review, and feedback.The conclusion is simple: the answer isn’t to use less AI. The answer is to build a better workflow around it.In this episode, we cover:Why AI can improve productivity while quietly weakening judgmentThe danger of confusing fast output with finished workHow AI fills in gaps when it lacks context — and why that mattersThe hidden risks of skipping review and testingWhy competence is built through process, not just outcomesThe idea of treating AI more like a team member than a toolHow coaches and business owners can use AI responsibly without losing their edgeKey Takeaway:AI is powerful, but it still needs management. The goal isn’t blind trust or fear. It’s better process, better review, and more deliberate thinking.“Review is what makes speed sustainable.”Why this matters for coaches:If you’re using AI to help with programming, communication, content, or business systems, this matters just as much for you as it does for developers. AI can save time, but it can also create a false sense of confidence. The coaches who benefit most will be the ones who combine AI speed with human judgment.🎥 Watch the video👁️🗨️ Read the blog version of this episodeTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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More Data Does Not Mean Better Results
Mar 1800:13:14Tap to summarizeWearable technology has changed endurance coaching.Athletes now have access to more data than ever before — sleep scores, HRV, readiness metrics, training load, stress levels, and countless performance stats.On the surface, that sounds like progress.But in reality, many coaches are seeing a new problem emerge: athletes drowning in data but starving for clarity.In this episode, we explore why more wearable data does not automatically lead to better coaching and how coaches can turn overwhelming metrics into meaningful guidance.Because the real value of coaching is not collecting more numbers — it is helping athletes understand what actually matters.We talk about:- Why wearable data often creates confusion instead of clarity• How metrics like HRV and readiness scores can cause athletes to second-guess training• The hidden anxiety that constant feedback can create• Why context and interpretation matter more than raw data• How great coaches use data to support judgement, not replace it• How helping athletes make sense of their data improves engagement and retentionModern athletes have access to more metrics than ever before.But the coaches who stand out are not the ones analysing the most dashboards.They are the ones who create clarity, build confidence, and guide athletes through the noise.If you coach endurance athletes — or run a coaching business — this episode will help you think differently about the role wearable data should play in your coaching process.🎥 Watch the video👁️🗨️ Read the blog version of this episodeTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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Part 2: The Case for HYROX Coaching - For Endurance Coaches
Feb 1900:29:01Tap to summarizeHYROX is quickly becoming the “second sport” for runners and triathletes — and if you coach endurance athletes in 2026, you need an answer when athletes ask about it.In this episode, I share a practical debrief after racing HYROX Auckland: what surprised me, what the event demands, and why HYROX is a genuine opportunity for endurance coaches (not just a trend).Because here’s the coach reality: if your athletes want to do HYROX, they’ll get coached somewhere — either by you, or by a gym/HYROX coach. That’s not just a training block… it’s a relationship risk.In this episode:What HYROX really is: running compromised, over and overThe biggest performance levers: pacing, station economy, and transitionsWhat the stations do to your running (and why that matters for programming)The common mistake endurance athletes make: trying to “add HYROX” on top of normal trainingThe key training priorities for endurance athletes prepping HYROX: - repeatable running (not peak running) - leg strength endurance (knee-dominant durability) - grip + trunk resilience - station skill and standardsHow to add HYROX to your offer without blowing up your business: - add-on blocks - year-round hybrid memberships - HYROX on-ramps that convert into endurance coachingWhy athletes like HYROX:Simple, standardized format (easy to benchmark)Endurance-friendly: paced, repeatable, rewards gritClear goal + high event energy + strong communityStrength component without needing advanced lifting skillsWhy it’s good for your coaching business:Retention + LTV: keeps athletes engaged and paying year-roundContinuity: you control the return-to-endurance transitionDifferentiation: “endurance-first hybrid coaching” stands outNew revenue streams: add-ons, seasonal packages, hybrid membershipsLead gen pipeline: HYROX athletes often graduate to running/triathlon goals📸 More from HYROX Auckland (photos)🎥 Watch the video👁️🗨️ Read the blog version of this episodeTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here#HYROX #EnduranceCoaching #TriathlonCoach #RunningCoach #HybridTraining #CoachingBusiness
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The Case for HYROX and Endurance Coaches
Jan 1600:16:57Tap to summarizeHYROX has moved from “fitness racing” to a specific, mainstream target for runners and triathletes — and it’s showing up inside the coaching market fast. More endurance coaches are quietly adding HYROX blocks, hybrid memberships, and “run + strength” packages to keep athletes engaged (especially when triathlon feels a long way off).In this episode, Cam makes the case that endurance coaches should take HYROX seriously — not just as a training format, but as a retention and growth lever for your business.Because if your athlete leaves your ecosystem for 8–16 weeks to join a gym program or HYROX-specific coach, you risk:Losing the relationshipSplitting training history across systemsBecoming the “summer triathlon coach” instead of the year-round performance partnerCam’s take: the coach who can say “Awesome — let’s do it properly and keep your long-term endurance goals intact” is the coach who keeps athletes long-term.What You’ll LearnWhat HYROX is: 8 × 1 km runs + 8 functional stations (sleds, ergs, carries, lunges, wall balls, and more) in a standardized race formatWhy endurance athletes gravitate toward it: pacing, repeatability, benchmarking, and “engine + strength” demands that feel familiarWhy continuity matters: owning the HYROX block means you control the transition back to SBR (instead of inheriting a messy handoff)The two-way pipeline: - Endurance athletes doing HYROX as an off-season race target- HYROX athletes “graduating” into half marathons, marathons, trail, and triathlon — and needing long-term structure (your strength as an endurance coach)The business case for coaches: Retention + Lifetime ValueDifferentiation (without trying to out-gym the gyms)New revenue streams without a full rebrandA forcing function to upgrade strength coachingStaying fresh as a coach by learning something newHYROX vs CrossFit: why HYROX tends to be more accessible and systemizable for endurance populations (with less technical movement complexity)The real challenges + fixes: - Station competence → education + reps- Equipment/logistics → gym partnerships + smart substitutions- Programming conflicts → treat HYROX like a real season with trade-offs- Brand confusion → position as endurance-first hybrid coachingKey TakeawayHYROX isn’t a weird outlier anymore — it’s becoming a mainstream “second sport” for endurance athletes who want something competitive, measurable, and community-driven.You don’t need to become a full-time HYROX specialist.But if your athletes are asking about it, you need an answer — and ideally, an offer.Because the coach who can say “Yes — and we’ll do it properly” is the coach who keeps the relationship, keeps continuity, and builds a business that lasts.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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Should You Quit Coaching in the Age of AI?
Dec 1500:23:23Tap to summarizeAI training apps, “smart” plans, and chatbot coaches are everywhere right now.If you’ve ever wondered:“Is there still a future in coaching for me?”“Should I just get a ‘normal’ job before AI takes over?”…you’re not alone.In this episode/article, we dig into a different angle you probably aren’t hearing:AI is actually more likely to replace your job than your coaching business.We unpack why being a business owner is often safer than being an employee in an AI-driven world—and how endurance coaches can use AI as a power tool instead of seeing it as competition.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why quitting coaching to get a “stable job” might actually be more riskyWhat AI does really well in endurance sport (and where it completely falls short)The parts of coaching AI can’t touch: - Human connection and trust - Context and judgment in messy real life - Community, identity, and beliefPractical ways to use AI to support your coaching, not replace it - Automating repetitive admin and content tasks - Enhancing your programs and education - Making marketing easier and more consistentHow to think about your future as a coach in a world where AI is here to stayIf you’ve been quietly asking yourself, “Should I just quit coaching?” this conversation is designed to help you zoom out, see the bigger picture, and make decisions from a place of clarity—not fear.Takeaways you’ll walk away with:A clearer understanding of where AI really fits in endurance coachingConfidence in the value you bring that AI can’t replicateA few concrete ideas to experiment with over the next 90 daysIf you’re an endurance coach feeling the “AI panic,” this one’s for you.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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Better Athlete Engagement with Less Effort
Dec 800:11:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we dig into the real reasons athletes disengage — and the simple systems endurance coaches can use to boost engagement without adding more work. You’ll learn how to create a coaching experience that keeps athletes connected, motivated, and coming back.We cover:Why engagement isn’t about constant communicationHow predictable touchpoints reduce athlete drop-offThe hidden role community plays in long-term motivationWhy athletes can’t use your content (and how to fix it)The onboarding mistakes that quietly hurt retentionSimple engagement systems that save time instead of adding adminHow to support more athletes without burning yourself outYou’ll walk away with:A clearer understanding of what truly drives athlete motivationPractical frameworks you can apply immediatelyWays to improve retention without becoming a 24/7 support lineTools to scale your coaching impact with less effortThis is your guide to creating smarter, more sustainable athlete engagement — the kind that frees you to coach, not chase.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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What Should Your AI Assistant Coach Actually Do?
Nov 1900:18:44Tap to summarizeAI tools are popping up everywhere in endurance coaching. Most of them promise smart plans, automatic analysis, and dashboards that claim to know everything about fatigue and form.But here’s the real question: are these tools supporting coaches or replacing them?In this episode, we break down:What today’s AI tools actually offerThe difference between AI that replaces coaches vs AI that supports themWhy that difference matters for your coaching businessHow some platforms say they’re built “for coaches” while quietly designing features that cut coaches outThe kind of AI that helps you save time, stay organised, and stay in control of your coaching decisionsWhy the best AI acts like a second brain, not a second coachIf you want to protect your value as a coach and use AI in a way that strengthens your relationships—not weakens them—this one’s worth a watch, listen or read.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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Sales = Getting Punched in the Face
Nov 1200:09:35Tap to summarizeSales in a coaching business isn’t about being pushy, it’s about having the guts to put yourself out there and take the hits that come with it. In this episode, I break down what it really feels like to sell your coaching programs, the unsubscribes, the criticism, and all the punches in the face. While they aren’t proof you’re growing, they’re requirements for it.I share a real-life example from a coach who launched her program and saw her email list rise and fall like a rollercoaster, the raw, honest side of sales most people don’t talk about.You’ll learn how to handle rejection, why unsubscribes are actually a good thing, and how to keep showing up even when it hurts.Here’s what to expect when you start really selling:Unsubscribes and rejectionsPeople ignoring your emailsMoments of self-doubt when your numbers dropPeople replying to complain that you’re selling to themPeople talking behind your back or criticizing you just because you’re marketing — sometimes potential clients, other times your peers or competitorsThe sound of crickets when it feels like no-one is even listening👉 Listen in if you’re ready to stop avoiding sales and start treating it as the skill that separates a struggling coach from a sustainable business owner.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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Weaknesses Are Not Your Weakness
Nov 700:12:51Tap to summarizeAfter more than a decade building Training Tilt, I’ve started to realize that maybe knowing your weaknesses isn’t what holds you back — it’s your blind spots. The things you don’t yet know are there can quietly limit your growth as a coach and a business owner.In this episode, I share some personal reflections on:✅ How strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots actually work together ✅ What I’ve learned about awareness after 10+ years building Training Tilt ✅ How seeing yourself more clearly can unlock sustainable growth💬 Whether you’re a coach or a creator, this one’s about self-awareness, curiosity, and learning to grow without trying to be perfect.You can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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AI in Coaching: Collaborator or Vending Machine?
Sep 3000:08:20Tap to summarizeAI is changing the coaching landscape—but not in the way many people think. A few months ago, we explored the AI Coaching Hype Cycle, and now that the dust has settled, it’s time to revisit how coaches can actually use AI in their businesses.In this episode of Endurance Coaching Business, we dive into two very different approaches:AI as a vending machine → quick prompts, generic outputs, shallow results.AI as a collaborator → a true assistant coach that amplifies your philosophy, context, and voice.We’ll cover:Why AI coaching platforms still miss the human nuance that athletes need.The dangers of relying on generic outputs without your coaching context.Practical examples of vending machine vs. collaborator prompts.Why coaches who learn to use AI well will thrive, and those who don’t risk being left behind.The takeaway? AI won’t replace great coaches—but it will expose shallow coaching. The future belongs to those who treat AI as a partner in amplifying their expertise, not a shortcut to replace it.👉 Coaches, I’d love to hear your experiences with AI—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how you’re experimenting. Send me a message or comment where you’re listening.Resources Mentioned:The AI Coaching Hype Cycle episode/blog post https://trainingtilt.com/the-ai-coaching-hype-cycleYou can read the blog version of this episode over at Training TiltOr you can watch the video version on Youtube hereTraining Tilt is an all in one coaching and e-commerce platform that helps coaches get better results for the clients and their businesses. You can learn more about Training Tilt here
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