ATHLETE STORIES

Structured coaching has helped me to keep focused on reaching my goals. 

When I joined the OC Squad I had done a few sprints triathlons, but I wanted to do more. 

We created a plan that was achievable and flexible and I always felt supported. Tony helped me by understanding my apprehensions around open water swimming and really helped me to build confidence. 

I completed my first Olympic Triathlon in open water and Tony and the OC Squad were there cheering and supporting. 

After that I set myself the challenge of doing a 70.3 distance event in 2025, which I have just completed. Tony has been supper supportive and very flexible when life and work got in the way of training. 

He pushed me to keep trying and really helped building up my confidence. I was so glad having completed by first 70.3 triathlon and I recommended anyone with big goals and a bunch of attitude to get coaching and can’t recommended enough coaching with Tony. 

I am not a podium finisher (yet) but I like to set out big challenges and go after them, with coaching these are more achievable and fun!

I joined the OC squad in the summer of 2024 initially to improve my fitness and readiness for Sprint events, then later for Standard (Olympic) distance - and it worked! 

Swim and run technique analysis helped my efficiency, nutrition advice kept me properly fueled, and Tony’s tailored daily training routines have really improved my strength, flexibility, stamina, pace, puff and general preparedness. It also helped working through recurring calf and achilles injuries, which have now gone (touch wood). Best of all, I’ve been able to train while traveling using gyms and swimming pools of opportunity and hotel rooms around the world.

The result has been successive improvements in my PBs, achieving a few podiums here and there, and the feeling that I really ‘own’ these distances and can do it. It’s also gifted me more energy in the events, fantastic enjoyment challenging myself in competing, travel all over the UK and Europe, and lots of support with encouragement from Tony and a really enthusiastic squad.

Thanks to the squad, next season I’m doubling up the distances to do my first middle distance (70.3, half-iron man) event on my 68th birthday and I feel like I’m going to be ready.

As you age it’s a great thing to keep your body in decent condition, to feel energetic, to be healthy longer and to have unstated boasting rights as your contemporaries sag. Triathlon training with OC is giving me the edge with all these, so don’t hesitate if you want it too. And THANKS Tony, you make all things possible.

I decided to sign up for my first Ironman 70.3 after graduating from University in the summer of 2024. After months of struggling to balance work commitments, a social life, and training, I realised that I needed help. This was when I first reached out to Ochill Coaching and Tony.

Tony was excellent at understanding what I wanted to achieve and tailoring the training weeks to fit my lifestyle. His flexibility in adapting sessions, while still ensuring that I hit key milestones was monumental to my success. 

Whether I was travelling for work or had important life events that I couldn’t miss, I always felt confident that my training was steadily progressing.

I would highly recommend Ochill Coaching to anyone who wants to push themselves while still maintaining balance in their life.

Training for my very first Ironman in Nice was one of the biggest challenges of my life, and I could not have done it without Tony. 

Shortly after I first signed up with him, I went through a separation and had to suspend my training. Despite no longer being an active client, Tony stayed in touch. Seventeen weeks before the race, he reached out and reminded me that there was still enough time to prepare. That message gave me the hope I needed, and I decided to sign back up.  

From that point on, Tony built a training plan that worked around my new reality of co parenting, balancing childcare and the complexities of life—including the joy of meeting an incredible new partner. 

He designed a program that wasn’t just about fitness, but about balance, making sure I could train effectively while still showing up for the people who matter most.  

On race day, Tony’s support went even further. Not only was he instrumental in getting me to the start line, but he was also there behind the scenes—communicating with and encouraging my partner who was cheering me on from the sidelines. Crossing that finish line and hearing the words, “You are an Ironman!” was a milestone I’ll never forget, and Tony played a pivotal role in making it possible.  

Thank you, Tony, for being more than just a coach—you’ve been a guide, a motivator, and a source of belief when I needed it most.

After seeing how Ochil Coaching and Tony had helped athletes I looked up to, I approached Tony and discussed my aspirations to complete a full distance race. He was very positive and supportive and as a precursor entered the Wales Long Course Weekend in 2023 and started coaching with Tony. 

What a revelation. A completely structured session downloaded to Garmin with full explanation every day. All I needed to do was get out of bed.  I loved the variety, structure and flexibility of the sessions. Another bonus was by following a science-based personal plan I was ensuring I did not overtrain and minimising injury risk-I am prone to both. The LCW was a resounding success and I signed up for IM Wales 2024 and Tony’s plan gave me the journey of a lifetime.

Fast forward to race day. My sole goal was completion and I was expecting it to stretch me mentally and physically to the max-with a generous dose of pain-but not so sure about the enjoyment factor!! The race surpassed all my expectations. On starting I realised my body was in the best shape ever, the plan was delivering 110% and I knew I would finish. I loved every second, exceeded my wildest dreams and finished on an incredible high wanting to do it again!!

I firmly believe that it was OC who unlocked my potential and enabled me to exceed my dreams. I would recommend Tony to anyone who wants to take themselves to the next level. 

I have participated in a couple of big events but have usually just winged it re training. However, after signing up for a “character building” event, I decided I needed the right guidance and help. Basically I just wanted to be told what to do to get me to the finish line and hopefully enjoy it a bit along the way.  

I approached Tony for a chat and was convinced that he could deliver on this and so far so good. I’ve never been one for technology and using the data generated from heart rate, watts etc, but the testing we have done and the feedback I’ve been given has really instilled the  confidence that yeah I can do it and I can see the benefit of collecting and using this data.  

Tony has been excellent with adapting my training plans to my schedule and it just really works for me. His enthusiasm and commitment is definitely a motivator and I would recommend Ochil Coaching to anyone looking for some help and structure with their training. 

Tony has been coaching me for a number of months now. The programme he has developed for me is focused on delivering podium finishes at Scottish, British and International level in my Age Group. 

First up was the Scottish Sprint Triathlon championships which got me on the top step of the podium. Tony is very approachable, and quickly modifies and improves the programme as required after regular feedback sessions and he is very quick to respond to specific questions, queries and required updates via Training Peaks and Messenger.

I would recommend Ochil Coaching if you want a personal programme to take you to whichever goal you have in mind next.

For years I have been striving to organise my training and recovery time within a very busy life and like most triathletes I know I haven't always managed this well.  As an English teacher I have also never really been analytical about the data from training sessions but Tony and the OC Team have introduced new ways of increasing my knowledge to enhance my performance.   

A bespoke, balanced approach has enabled me to achieve personal targets and I have experienced more sustainable results. Progression was always boom or bust but the clear approaches to planning with a focus on active recovery and incorporating that into my overall training plan has really helped.   

I'd recommend the OC team as they considered my current considerable life commitments and created sessions that I could manage without burning out by the end of the week.  They are a professional team with a personal touch. 

Tony has been coaching me since Summer 2021 and has played a big part in the rehab and recovery of a broken ankle I sustained in the Spring. 

The upshot of the injury was the detection of anaemia, probably due to women’s health - Tony is hugely supportive and mindful of this and the injury and has really helped to adapt my training accordingly. 

Tony touches base regularly and is extremely approachable. His training sessions are varied, focused and really enjoyable. He’s hoping to train me up for something big in 2022…but first we’re setting our sights on being able to run a cheeky 5k! 

Ochil Coaching has had such a positive impact on the way I now train so I would definitely recommend it.

I started working with Tony at the start of 2022 with the aim of getting more structure into my training and aiming to improve and step up to 70.3 distance in my first full year back after a few years away from the sport. 

Having a young family and a busy work life, the structured training plan that Tony put together was clear and easy to follow meaning that it never felt like a chore (even in the Scottish weather)! Each session had a clear aim and was part of an overarching structure that built well towards the ‘A’ races. 

Tony is very knowledgeable, helpful and speaks from experience. The training plan was extremely personalised; all of this has resulted in a PB at each of my triathlons and running races this season! I would definitely recommend to anyone looking to improve and get consistency in their training.