I have a few slots open for athletes looking to develop their potential and embrace the journey!
As a professional athlete, I focus on my own development as an athlete and as a person. I am constantly looking for opportunities to challenge myself and learn from my training, from my training partners while at tri camps, from my racing, and from the journey that the professional triathlon life brings. There is always something I can work on and improve. It’s an endless quest to be the best athlete I can be, filled with ups and downs and memories. Believing and being fully committed to a process, being open minded, being focused on the long term goals vs. short term wins/disappointments, and communicating are paramount to be successful.
As a coach, I am no different. In my opinion, for the coach-athlete relationship to be successful I am relying on the following:
Be fully committed to the process
This does not mean quit your job and focus on triathlon, of course. However, make sure that you are comfortable with your coach’s training approach and methodology, and that you understand it. It takes time to see progress, and it is very individualized. Some may see improvement right away, while others may need more adaptation, but what will make the difference in the long run is your commitment to the process. As your daily training regimen gets underway, it is easy to forget about the bigger picture. My role is to make sure that you are seeing progress and are always reminded of your big picture: your “why”. My athletes need to be comfortable with this concept as I ask for a minimum commitment of 8 months.
Be hungry, but be humble
I cannot stress that enough. Whether you are a world champion or never raced a triathlon before, there is always something one can work on, and that’s the beauty of the journey that endurance sport offers. Day after day, month after month, race after race, we will find opportunities to improve, but only with the right attitude. We will learn to celebrate breakthroughs happening in training and on race day, but we should always keep in mind to do it respectfully, without bragging or demeaning others. As a coach, I hope you will learn from me, and I know I will learn from you. That will not only help me be a better coach, but it will also help me be a better athlete. We will improve by empowering and lifting each other up, and by celebrating our successes. We will build confidence, get hungrier, but we will strive to remain humble. This is very important to me. It is one of my core values that the athlete who decides to embark on their endurance sports journey with me needs to agree with. Ultimately you are the customer, but I will end the relationship if we cannot agree with this core value. #behumblebehungry
Maintain an open communication
“Language brings with it an identity and a culture, or at least the perception of it. A shared language says "We're the same." A language barrier says "We're different." Trevor Noah, Born a crime: Stories from a South African childhood. Though the context is different, the idea remains the same. If we can’t communicate, we won’t progress. My athletes will learn quickly that I am a straight shooter. I rarely sugar code, simply because I don’t see the point of it. I will be very honest with you, in a respectful manner. At times, it will feel like I am being very blunt, and I will, because I care about your progression. I expect the same from you. We are adults, your time and mine are valuable, and we should not be beating around the bush when it comes to training. If this is all done in a respectful way, we will have a healthy and enjoyable ‘coach-athlete relationship. If not, we will part ways amicably. Before asking you questions I will do my due diligence and make sure I cannot answer it myself before reaching out to you. I expect that from you as well. You should always feel comfortable to ask questions. That’s the point of hiring a coach. There is no stupid question if you cannot find the answer on your own. I’ll always offer my perspective on a subject if I have one, and it is important to note that my understanding of a concept, of an approach, or of a situation could widely differ with someone else’s. You could get contradicting info if you ask someone else, and when that happens, it’s an opportunity to make your own mind about it.
Coaching Fees
Minimum commitment of 8 months: Progress takes time
Set-up fee: $109 (99 euros) - One time set-up fee where you will be set up with a premium TraingPeaks account and we will review your goals, objectives, discuss potential events, and determine a high level training plans
Coaching Fee - Base: $199 (169 euros) /month
Coaching cancellation: Things happen. LIfe, family, work are more important than triathlon, or you simply may want to experience a different approach with another coach. I will need a 45 day notice. You will still be coached as usual, but that will allow us to adjust your training accordingly for that period, winding it down, or simply coordinating and working with your next coach to ensure a seamless transition
Additional Perks
If you wish to get more information about training with me, feel free to reach out at portmannk@gmail.com. I'd be happy to answer any question you have!
As a professional athlete, I focus on my own development as an athlete and as a person. I am constantly looking for opportunities to challenge myself and learn from my training, from my training partners while at tri camps, from my racing, and from the journey that the professional triathlon life brings. There is always something I can work on and improve. It’s an endless quest to be the best athlete I can be, filled with ups and downs and memories. Believing and being fully committed to a process, being open minded, being focused on the long term goals vs. short term wins/disappointments, and communicating are paramount to be successful.
As a coach, I am no different. In my opinion, for the coach-athlete relationship to be successful I am relying on the following:
Be fully committed to the process
This does not mean quit your job and focus on triathlon, of course. However, make sure that you are comfortable with your coach’s training approach and methodology, and that you understand it. It takes time to see progress, and it is very individualized. Some may see improvement right away, while others may need more adaptation, but what will make the difference in the long run is your commitment to the process. As your daily training regimen gets underway, it is easy to forget about the bigger picture. My role is to make sure that you are seeing progress and are always reminded of your big picture: your “why”. My athletes need to be comfortable with this concept as I ask for a minimum commitment of 8 months.
Be hungry, but be humble
I cannot stress that enough. Whether you are a world champion or never raced a triathlon before, there is always something one can work on, and that’s the beauty of the journey that endurance sport offers. Day after day, month after month, race after race, we will find opportunities to improve, but only with the right attitude. We will learn to celebrate breakthroughs happening in training and on race day, but we should always keep in mind to do it respectfully, without bragging or demeaning others. As a coach, I hope you will learn from me, and I know I will learn from you. That will not only help me be a better coach, but it will also help me be a better athlete. We will improve by empowering and lifting each other up, and by celebrating our successes. We will build confidence, get hungrier, but we will strive to remain humble. This is very important to me. It is one of my core values that the athlete who decides to embark on their endurance sports journey with me needs to agree with. Ultimately you are the customer, but I will end the relationship if we cannot agree with this core value. #behumblebehungry
Maintain an open communication
“Language brings with it an identity and a culture, or at least the perception of it. A shared language says "We're the same." A language barrier says "We're different." Trevor Noah, Born a crime: Stories from a South African childhood. Though the context is different, the idea remains the same. If we can’t communicate, we won’t progress. My athletes will learn quickly that I am a straight shooter. I rarely sugar code, simply because I don’t see the point of it. I will be very honest with you, in a respectful manner. At times, it will feel like I am being very blunt, and I will, because I care about your progression. I expect the same from you. We are adults, your time and mine are valuable, and we should not be beating around the bush when it comes to training. If this is all done in a respectful way, we will have a healthy and enjoyable ‘coach-athlete relationship. If not, we will part ways amicably. Before asking you questions I will do my due diligence and make sure I cannot answer it myself before reaching out to you. I expect that from you as well. You should always feel comfortable to ask questions. That’s the point of hiring a coach. There is no stupid question if you cannot find the answer on your own. I’ll always offer my perspective on a subject if I have one, and it is important to note that my understanding of a concept, of an approach, or of a situation could widely differ with someone else’s. You could get contradicting info if you ask someone else, and when that happens, it’s an opportunity to make your own mind about it.
Coaching Fees
Minimum commitment of 8 months: Progress takes time
Set-up fee: $109 (99 euros) - One time set-up fee where you will be set up with a premium TraingPeaks account and we will review your goals, objectives, discuss potential events, and determine a high level training plans
Coaching Fee - Base: $199 (169 euros) /month
- Individualized and flexible training plan that can be set up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, and can be adjusted based on your progression, family and/or work commitments, etc.
- We will communicate via TrainingPeaks for training feedback as well as over the phone and text messages.
- We will be in close contact throughout your training. If I can answer your phone call, text, or email right away, I will. If not, I will take time to get back to you as quickly as possible. If I am abroad for racing and training, we will communicate via Whatsapp, emails, and TrainingPeaks.
- Access to athlete’s perks (see below)
- One-on-one session: $50/hour
- 10% discount for 4-month bundle payment: $700 | 600 euros
- 20% discount for 8-month bundle payment: $1,280 | 1 080 euros
- 50% off 1 month for any accepted referral (if referred athlete enrolls and stays for at least 2 months)
Coaching cancellation: Things happen. LIfe, family, work are more important than triathlon, or you simply may want to experience a different approach with another coach. I will need a 45 day notice. You will still be coached as usual, but that will allow us to adjust your training accordingly for that period, winding it down, or simply coordinating and working with your next coach to ensure a seamless transition
Additional Perks
- Coaching in English or French
- 20% off Ventum bikes
- 25% off Kiwami products (for US athletes only - can be discussed if interested)
- 30% off a 4-day tri camp in sunny San Diego (lodging, travel, and food at athlete’s expense)
If you wish to get more information about training with me, feel free to reach out at portmannk@gmail.com. I'd be happy to answer any question you have!
