If you haven’t had the chance to meet and welcome our newest triathlon coach, Coach Allison Leather, please join us in welcoming her!
We’re so excited to welcome Coach Allison because it means that we are able to grow our community, take on more 1:1 triathlon coaching clients, and help support more triathletes in reaching their biggest goals.
Coach Allison specializes in coaching Olympic and Long course IRONMAN 70.3 and IRONMAN athletes of all levels. Her coaching style mixes data-driven decision-making with the art of coaching. Which has been proven to be effective for athletes who are busy balancing family, work, and training.
Allison also has 8 years of collegiate swim coaching and specializes in learning to swim as an adult and open water swimming, so if this is something you’re working on then Coach Allison is your lady!
We think you’re going to enjoy having Coach Allison on the Organic Coaching team just as much as we are. To help you get to know her, we asked Coach Allison to share a bit about herself and her experience coaching and as an athlete.
I am a triathlon coach, athlete, wife, and mother.
My journey into the world of athletics began at an early age and is one that continues to this very day. I started swimming competitively at age eight and instantly fell in love with the sport. I competed as a butterflier and distance swimmer from grade school through college. During my time as a swimmer, I also developed an interest in running from my father. Who was a long-distance runner at the time. I dabbled in various local 5K/10K races and was eventually, recruited out of gym class to run the mile for our high school track team. Upon retiring from college athletics in swimming, I felt the urge to continue competing and advanced to U.S. Masters Swimming while in graduate school, which included both pool and open water events. I also elevated my running game to long-distance, tackling numerous half marathons as well as two marathons.
Fast-forward through graduate school and a whirlwind career change. I soon found myself back on the pool deck, coaching a USA Swimming age group team and a U.S. Masters Swimming program in 2012. Several of my master’s swimmers were triathletes who very quickly introduced me to the world of USA Triathlon. I completed my first sprint distance triathlon in 2013 and was instantly hooked! I quickly advanced to Olympic-Distance and tackled various races. Including the 2015 USAT Olympic-Distance Age Group Championships – before transitioning to IRONMAN 70.3.
During this transition period from swimmer to triathlete, I also advanced my career in the collegiate swimming world by working as an Assistant Coach at Wittenberg University (2013-2015). Volunteer Assistant Coach at The Ohio State University (2015-2016), and finally, Assistant and then Associate Head Coach at the University of Kentucky (2016-2021). While at Kentucky, I assisted in coaching the women’s team to four Top 3 SEC finishes, four Top 15 NCAA finishes, and a 2021 SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championship. After moving across the country and taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom. My competitive spirit and desire to reconnect with athletes emerged. While swimming is my first love, triathlon has become my passion!
Competing in triathlon is an exciting commitment and one that reaps many rewards. As one who wears many hats, I understand the time it takes to commit to an endurance sport while maintaining an appropriate balance between work and personal life. It is my goal as a triathlon coach to help you reach your highest potential in training and on the race course by developing a program that is effective yet suitable to your schedule.
Open communication, accountability, and transparency are key to maintaining a strong coach/athlete relationship. It’s my job to listen and understand the goals you wish to achieve and build a framework that is appropriate for your competitive desires and needs. Whether you are a first-time triathlete or a seasoned racer, it’s my responsibility to help you become a student of the sport. I will encourage and motivate you to “get comfortable being uncomfortable” while having FUN in the process! I care about YOU as a person first and not just an athlete. Together, we will commit, trust, and believe in the process by setting attainable goals to help you achieve new heights!
Through dedication and hard work, you can accomplish the unthinkable!
Carly and Tyler Guggemos built Organic Coaching in 2014 with a simple philosophy that works. The idea is to take what you have and grow it to get faster, fitter and stronger. And to do it with the time you have – not the time you wish you had.
For athletes who are ready to take their training to the next level while still thriving and succeeding in their professional and family life.
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