Wellness Talks
Posted in Fun by Wendy MaderMy strength as a Wellness Coach is triathlon. The type of athletes that I attract to my various programs are adults and kids interested and training for triathlon to improve their well being. I approach coaching more on sports psychology then physiology. After 20 years racing triathlons, plus another 12 as a swimmer, I know the mental side of racing is more then half the battle when you approach the event. Triathlon involves stresses of under and over training, disordered eating (refer to my masters thesis 1999), pre-during and post performance nutritional issues as well as injuries. When I talk to local groups I discuss the importance of training for enjoyment, training for mental and physical health, creating SMART goals and personal challenges.
I am the Rocky Mountain High School swim coach and recently joined the Rocky Mountain High School Wellness Committee. Rocky Mountain High School is one of 4 high schools that participate in Wellness Day. As part of the committee I gathered product from my sponsors which included Pointe6 socks, PowerBar hats and socks, Timex hats and water bottles. We used these gifts as prizes when the students answered various wellness questions at the booths they visited. At my booth I displayed Northern Colorado High School Triathlon Team information. During the 3 hour block, I gathered 75 RMHS student names that expressed interest in joining NoCO High school triathlon team this summer. We will train for the Greeley Triathlon and HITS sprint distance triathlon. I also had an opportunity to showcase BeachBodys Insanity the Asylum Game Day DVD and watched 40 students working out with Shane T.
A few weeks after Rocky Wellness Day I gave a Triathlon 101 clinic at the Fort Collins Club. About a dozen wanna be local triathletes looking for information about “how to” triathlon. I discussed basis triathlon gear (clothing, shoes, triathlon outfit, wetsuit). Then we discussed open water swim vs pool swim events. I provided Powerbar gels to everyone that attended and a few of them came back 2 weeks later to my Nutrition 101 clinic expressing how much better they felt trying out the powergels in their training. I also discussed basic training guidelines with heart rate monitors. I stressed the value of data assessment, gathering baseline heart rate data to use to set training zones. Newbies typically train by rate of perceived effort so I stressed the importance of heart rate training with a Timex so they can get a better idea of how their body responds to training and help with RPE.
Two weeks after my Triathlon 101 clinic I scheduled 2 “Lunch N Learns” with the County Employees. About 20 employees attended. It was similar to my Triathlon 101 Clinic except with a powerpoint presentation.
On Mothers Day I met with my husband, Don’s, Team in Training group. I displayed my Timex Watches, Nathan packs and powerbar product.
I gave them a 40% code on Timex Watches.



One similarity between the various groups is that they had limited knowledge of heart rate and training progression, incorporating the common periods of training (base, build, taper and peak) and well as nutrition (pre, during and post training/race). I offered my services as well as the powerbar website Free PowerCoach training and nutrition information. I plan to continue to educate adults and youth, the value of sport for wellness, their health and fitness.

















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