What is Online Coaching and How Can it Benefit You?

Most people have never heard of online coaching, or “Virtual Coaching” as it is also called. Online coaching allows a real-life coach to interact with their athletes via the World Wide Web and electronic mail. Online coaches will often use phone calls as a way to add a more personalized aspect to the coach-athlete relationship. Unlike a running club, which usually involves one or two coaches and dozens of athletes, online coaching allows the coach to work with each of their athletes in a one-on-one environment. And unlike a private coach that meets personally with an athlete, an online coach can interact with each athlete more often and at a time that is more flexible. Email allows coaches to respond to the changing needs of each athlete much more rapidly and easily than meeting personally. The cost is much lower as well, because it is more efficient for an online coach to read an email from home and respond to it than try to reach them on the phone or wait until their regularly scheduled meeting.

The biggest apprehension that most runners have about using an online coach is that they feel that it is not personal enough for them. They think that without actually seeing a coach, they won’t have the personal interaction that will motivate them and provide them with the best quality training advice. Quite the contrary. While a coach that you meet with in person only gets to see you once or twice a week at most, you can interact with an online coach every day if you wish. By using a combination of phone calls and emails, you can create a constant dialog that permits you to spend more time with your coach than you would in person.

Success stories are numerous and varied at Myicoach.com. For many runners, the goal is to run a race faster than they have previously. From five minute personal bests in a 5K to shaving over an hour off a previous marathon, most people who use an online coach see results – often dramatic. However, success is not always measured in minutes or hours, but sometimes in making it to the finish line. There are dozens of people who have never run more than a few miles but were able to train and complete a marathon in their first event thanks to the guidance, motivation, and general support of an online coach. Finally, there are many people who have experimented with an online coach with the goal of personal weight loss. Helping people drop weight and decrease body fat has been widely successful for online coaches. The best stories are when someone manages to accomplish multiple successes at the same time thanks to their personal online coach.

One of the great aspects of online coaching is that it breaks down geographic boundaries, as well as time boundaries. Many people do not live near an area where a running club meets for workouts. Other people work jobs or have personal lives that do not permit them to meet with a club or a coach in person. Still others could meet with a running club (or even if they already do) but realize that they want more personalized attention. If any of these applies to you, and you want to get the most out of your running, then it is worth your while to give Myicoach.com a try.

Mission

"Our mission is to be the leader and innovator of virtual coaching while creating the total customer experience."

About the Company

Myicoach.com is a provider of online, interactive coaching/training for athletes of all ages and abilities. Myicoach.com coaches create customized training plans for athletes and guide them via our web based training system, telephone calls, and emails. Myicoach.com works with athletes in the United States and several foreign countries. In addition to runners, coaches work with multi-sport athletes and those interested in general fitness. Our coaches have training and experience in strength training, injury treatment and prevention, stretching, and motivation. All coaches are certified by USA Track and Field, the governing body of running in the United States.

Athletes can choose from a variety of interaction levels. They can choose to have daily, weekly, or monthly communication with their coach. Myicoach.com is designed to fit within the life of the busiest individual.

The Myicoach.com web site benefits non-members, as well as members. A great deal of information is available to visitors, such as health information, a searchable calendar of running events, running and fitness related product reviews, and more.

Keys to Success

• Commitment to our customers.
• Continually upgrading and revolutionizing our website to increase interactivity while maintaining its user-friendly qualities.
• Partnering with companies and organizations that complement our services and increase our visibility.
• Continue to create and strengthen a brand name by establishing ourselves in the running and fitness industry.

How the company began:

Myicoach.com, Inc. was incorporated in the State of New York on April 3, 2001. The company was founded by two former collegiate Track and Cross Country athletes. Ted Kohnen and Lowell Ladd combined their coaching and Internet development skills to form Myicoach.com. Since the beginning, Myicoach.com has received consultation and financial support from several independent parties.

Ted J. Kohnen
Founder and CEO (2001 - 2003)

Ted Kohnen founded Myicoach.com, Inc after a position with a technology consulting company. His passion and focus is on website architecture, internet security, usability and marketing. Ted has a strong knowledge of the health and fitness industry, especially running. In addition to being US Track & Field certified, he is a marathon runner himself. Ted holds a BA in International Business and Management from Dickinson College.

Lowell Ladd
President (2003 - Present) and Director of Coaching (2001 - Present)

Lowell Ladd co-founded Myicoach.com, Inc. after working as an Assistant Track & Cross Country Coach at the collegiate level for several years. He is a commited to providing quality personalized coaching to all of his athletes and making sure that the online coaching service provided meets and exceeds the expectations of clients. Lowell is a USATF Level I and Level II - endurance certified coach. He is an avid runner himself, having been competitive since 1990 at the Cross Country, Track, Road Racing, and Marathon levels.