I strongly believe in a holistic approach to endurance coaching—one that takes both the body and mind into account. You are so much more than just an athlete or a machine that needs optimizing. Your lifestyle, character, passion, way of living, other commitments all form essential pieces of the triathlon puzzle.

Rooted in science and backed by countless hours of research across all areas of endurance sport, my coaching is designed to help you become an autonomous, well-rounded athlete.

With over a decade of personal experience in endurance sports, I offer individualized coaching with direct, personal support. Whether you’re looking to improve performance, build resilience, or achieve long-term success or just want to finish your first triathlon, marathon or Grand Fondo.

I work on a weekly schedule, with weekly calls and regularly Whatsapp contact. The more information you feed me, the more information I have to make decisions. I use the quantitative data from TrainingPeaks, but I need your qualitative data from messages, feedback and calls.

I give swim clinics in the Netherlands and Italy, focusing on technique and endurance.

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My ‘position paper’:

Holistic

The Holistic Athlete: A Person First, Then an Athlete

As an athlete, you are first and foremost a person. Your performance is influenced by a wide range of factors, such as sleep, nutrition, stress, work, social relationships, and mental well-being. This means that a strict training plan can never fully encompass everything that affects your performance.

That’s why it is essential to remain flexible and not rigidly adhere to a schedule. A holistic approach looks at the bigger picture: How do you feel? How well are you recovering? What is happening in your life that might impact your training? A sustainable training approach takes these aspects into account and allows room for adjustments based on your individual circumstances.

Autonomy and Self-Regulation: You Are in Control

In my coaching philosophy, you as an athlete are at the center. My role as a coach is to provide you with the right tools and knowledge, but you are the one making the final decisions. You know your body best, and it is crucial that you learn to trust your own instincts. Devices and measurement tools like heart rate monitors, power meters, and lactate can provide valuable data, but they should never replace your own bodily awareness.

You will learn how to use these tools wisely without becoming dependent on them. By approaching your training and recovery consciously, you develop self-regulation and build deep trust in your own capabilities. This leads to a more sustainable, effective approach and prevents you from blindly following a plan without listening to your own signals.

Science

The Fundamentals of Energy and Performance

Sport and movement are governed by fundamental physical laws: no movement occurs without energy. Endurance sports are about efficient energy management, where your body learns to make optimal use of available fuel sources. The key goal is to improve and expand your energy production so that you can perform longer and more efficiently.

This means training and strengthening your mitochondria. The more and the more efficiently your mitochondria work, the better your body can use fat as fuel. However, carbohydrates remain indispensable as a energy source, not only for high-intensity efforts.

Good sports nutrition is therefore the foundation of an effective training program. It’s not just about what you eat during exercise, but also how you structure your nutrition throughout the day to ensure optimal recovery and performance.

Reverse Engineering: From Race Demands to Training Strategy

An effective training strategy starts with the end goal: what does your race require from you as an athlete? By analyzing this question, we can systematically work towards what you need to perform at your best. Endurance sports demand a combination of stamina, efficient energy utilization, and sufficient strength to complete a long race as efficiently as possible. Triathlon is super simple in that essence. We know what the watts and speed are to compete at the front.

This means that you need not only strong aerobic fitness but also a robust body capable of withstanding the strain of long efforts. That’s why we examine the specific demands of your race and structure your training accordingly.

Volume and Consistency: The Keys to Success

The two most important factors for progress in endurance sports are volume and consistency. The more hours you train over an extended period, the stronger you become. This does not mean pushing yourself to the absolute limit, but rather adopting a long-term mindset in your training approach. Small, consistent improvements accumulate into significant results.

Consistency is not just about discipline; it’s also about enjoyment and motivation. The better a training routine fits into your life and environment, the easier it is to maintain. This means looking beyond just the physical aspect of training to ensure it integrates well into your daily life. Access to good training facilities, a supportive environment, and a realistic schedule all contribute to long-term success

Individualization

An Integrative Approach to Coaching

My coaching is a fusion of various methodologies and experiences. I have worked with methods such as the Polarized Training school (which combines low-intensity training with sharp peaks of high intensity), the intuitive approach of Brett Sutton (where feeling and pragmatism take center stage), and a scientific approach with a strong focus on Zone 2 training.

No single method is sacred; I believe in an adaptive approach where we discover together what works best for you. Every athlete is unique and has their own optimal path to progression. By combining different insights and tailoring them to your specific needs, we develop a sustainable and effective approach.