Coach Ryan

Why do you coach?

I coach because I genuinely love the community surrounding this sport.
Triathlon can feel intimidating from the outside, but it’s one of the most welcoming communities you’ll ever find. There’s so much untapped potential in people, and helping them unlock it gives me real joy – whether that’s getting comfortable on open roads, building structured workouts that replace “just going for a long ride,” or crossing a finish line they neverthought possible.

What is your primary philosophy of coaching?

Triathlon should fit into your life – not the other way around. I’ve beeni n this sport 16 years through many life stages, from wide-open weekends to balancing full Ironman training as a working dad with two kids. I know your approach has to evolve, and my goal is helping you build a sustainable, long-term relationship with the sport that works for your life right now.

I’m a big believer in intentional preparation. Success on race day comes from understanding how workouts connect and building confidence step-by-step. My engineering background means I lean into the data – tracking trends, analyzing performance, and using that feedback loop to make smarter training decisions rather than just guessing. And if you ever have questions on training, gear, or bike fit, we’ll figure it out together.

What do you look for in a client?

Athletes who communicate. The more you share about how workouts feel – what’s working, what’s not, how your body and schedule are responding – the better I can tailor your plan. I love athletes who ask questions. There are no silly ones, and I’m happy to repeat things as many times as needed. You
don’t need natural talent or expensive gear – just willingness to show up,stay in touch, and challenge yourself.

Why are you different than other coaches?

I played Division I soccer at La Salle before five knee surgeries forced me
to pivot. When I entered triathlon, I had zero swimming or cycling
background – I had to learn how to go from holding onto the pool wall to
finishing full Ironmans. Having walked in those shoes, I can break down the sport for beginners and non-swimmers in a way that takes the intimidation away. As an active youth soccer coach, I also bring a team-first, supportive approach to an individual sport.

Beyond athletics, I come from a software engineering background. I’m wired to look at data, spot patterns, and iterate – which translates directly
into analyzing training metrics, identifying what’s actually driving
improvement, and leveraging technology to make smarter decisions for each athlete. When I’m in on something, I’m all in – I obsess over the details, dig into the research, and give it my full attention. That’s how I approach my own training, and it’s how I approach coaching yours.

What’s your history in sport?

My wife convinced me to try my first sprint triathlon in Philadelphia in 2010. Coming from a HS distance track background, I was completely new to the swim and bike. I caught the bug immediately – going from local sprints to my first 70.3 in Syracuse that same year. Since then I’ve completed 70+ races across every distance: ~22 sprints, ~13 Olympics, 16 half-Ironmans, 4 full Ironmans (Lake Placid & Maryland), plus half marathons, marathons, and the 2024 USAT Sprint & Olympic National Championships. 
 
Community has been a big part of my journey. I got involved with T3 Philly early on, eventually leading the group and starting track workouts there. That experience led me to create the Upper Dublin Triathlon Club – a local community for people who want to race and train together. Building that team environment around what can be a solo sport is something I carry directly into coaching.

What are your credentials?

  • USAT Level I, 
  • Former NCAA Division I Athlete (La Salle University), 
  • Youth Soccer Coach

Coach Ryan is available to coach athletes looking for the following:

  • First-time triathletes and adults learning to swim / open water
  • Short course (Sprint / Olympic) and long course (70.3 / 140.6)
  • Busy parents and time-crunched professionals
  • Athletes looking to build consistency and get faster

Where you can find me:

Ryan is available for One-on-One coaching starting at $225/month and single sport coaching starting at $200/month

Want to inquire about working with Coach Ryan? Fill out the form below:

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