Coaches

Level 3

Coaches who have shown excellence in coaching clients through a high commitment level to the coaching profession as well as extensive involvement within the Playtri organization.

Jeanne

Coaching Qualifications
- Four (4) years coaching experience
- USA Triathlon Certified, Level 1
- Playtri Certified
- USA Cycling Certified, Level 3
- Team in Training Coach 2005, 2006
- Coopers Certified Personal Trainer
- CPR Certified


Racing Experience
- Competed in over 25 triathlons—crossed the finish with a smile every time!
- Ironman Arizona 2009 Finisher
- 70.3 World Championship, Clearwater, FL 2007
-Buffalo Springs 70.3, Lubbock, TX 2007 (qualified for Worlds)
-DeGray Half-Iron, Arkadelphia, AR 2007
-Playtri Festival Half-Iron, Irving, TX 2007
-Hawaii 70.3, Kona, HI 2006
-St. Croix 70.3, St. Croix, U.S.V.I. 2005
-Several Olympic and Sprint distance
-Boston Marathon 2003
-Seven (7) marathons total


Jeanne believes that a healthy lifestyle and exercise provide the key elements for success and fulfillment. Setting goals, pushing boundaries and achieving things you may have never thought possible are at the foundation of why she loves her job. Jeanne has a solid, knowledge base, experience and a caring approach to working with each of her clients to give the individualized training needed to help them achieve their goals. Jeanne works with athletes at all levels.

David

Coaching Qualifications
- USA Triathlon Certified Coach, Level II
- Playtri Certified Coach
- Master's Degree, Health & Human Performance
- USA Cycling Coach Level 3
- Triathlon Instructor at SMU
- Certified Personal Trainer

Racing Experience
- Ironman Arizona 2008 Finisher
- Ranked 12th in Age Group for SMW region
- Multiple 1st place Age Group finishes
- Top 10 Age Group finish, Iron Star Half Ironman in 2006
- Finished and had FUN in more than 50 races!


Client Testimonials:

"In serving as my triathlon coach, David puts together a customized weekly workout schedule which utilizes periodization with the goal of preparing me for my “A“ race of the year. My goal for 2009 is to finish Ironman Florida, my first Iron-distance race. Despite the obstacles I have faced and those challenges that are yet to come; with David as my coach, I am confident I will cross the finish line. While serving as my coach, David has consistently been available for my questions and always seeks to explain the “why“ behind his answer. David's knowledge of the sport, emphasis on a healthy lifestyle, candid feedback, energy, and invaluable advice has made working with him one of my favorite parts of triathlon."
-Philip Graves

"I could not be more happy with the experience I've had with David Bertrand and Playtri... As a former college athlete, I have been around many great coaches my entire life and must say that David Bertrand is as good as any I have seen. David has a unique energy level and a commanding presence when speaking about this sport he obviously loves so much. Ultimately, David is a great motivator and any triathlete would benefit from the knowledge base he has accumulated over the years. I guess all that is a long way of saying that I highly recommend David!"
-Matthew Lopez

Level 2

Coaches who are ccomplished endurance athletes who have been successfully coaching Playtri clients for at least two years.

Aaron

Coaching Qualifications
- Playtri Certified Coach
- USAT Certified Coach, Level 1
- USA Cycling Level 3 Certified Coach
- USA Track & Field Level 1 Certified Coach


Experience
- 6 time Ironman finisher
- 70.3 World Championship Qualifier
- Personal best of 10:48 in 2007 (IM Louisville)
- 1st overall at Longhorn Aquabike in 2007
- 1st overall at Prairieman Aquabike in 2008
- SMW Region Duathlon Elite, 2007 (19th overall)
- 9-time marathon finisher
- 2-time age group winner at SunMart 50K ultra-marathon
- Finished and had FUN in more than 70 triathlons!


Aaron's Story:
I first discovered the Ironman when I was 6 or 7.  I was on summer vacation and watched the NBC rebroadcast of the previous year's World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.  I was in awe of what those athletes could do... over unfathomable distances and through the most inhospitable terrain.  How was that possible?  And why would anyone ever want to do that?  The allure of  the Big Island had gotten it's hooks in me and it wasn't letting go.  I knew I was going to do that race.

Unfortunately I took a slight detour in high school when I decided I liked cheeseburgers more than exercise.  By my junior year I had topped out at 280 pounds.  What turned it all around was a dare to run with the cross country team.  I didn't have to be good, I just had to survive.  I finished in the back of the pack in just about every meet we had that year, but by the end of it I started to enjoy running.

I ran casually through college, 30 minutes on the treadmill a few times a week.  Then I met a friend who had just run his first marathon.  That seemed crazy, but he managed to talk me into running a half with him.  The race was almost entirely downhill and at the end I was so exhausted I said, "I could never EVER run a full."  A year later I was back at the same start line but with a full marathon bib number.

A few weeks later I learned just how little I knew about training and recovery.  I ended up with a stress fracture in my right foot.  I bought a bike in order to keep up my cardio fitness while letting my foot heal.  After a few weeks of riding to school I heard about a local duathlon (run-bike-run) and decided to give it a try.  Putting multiple sports together was a fun change of pace, so I found a sprint tri a few weeks later and signed up.

That first triathlon was a disaster.  It was a 300 yard pool swim and I walked at least half of it.  I only swam if my feet couldn't touch the bottom.  The bike was longer than anything I had ever done before (14 miles) and I was lucky I could run a signle step of the 5K.  But I've never had more fun.  That afternoon I turned on my TV, with cheeseburger in hand (old habits are hard to break), and NBC was airing the previous year's Ironman World Championship!  It was a sign.  I got on my computer and found the only Ironman race open to general entry at the time: Ironman Arizona which was just 50 weeks away.

I ended up doing 15 triathlons my first year.  3 Ironmans my 2nd year (not my best idea).  A podium finish at Ironman Louisville the 3rd year.  I've done 6 Ironmans and more than 70 triathlons.  I've hired a coach and become one as well.  I'm still focused on getting myself to the starting line in Kona, but now I get to help other people reach their goals as well.  How can I help you?

Roberto

Coaching Qualifications
- Playtri Certified Coach
- USAT Certified Coach, Level 1
- USA Cycling Level 3 Certified Coach


Racing Experience
- 2-time Ironman finisher
- Best Ironman time of 10:07 IM Florida 2008
- 5 Time Marathon Finisher
- Boston Marathon Qualifier 2007
- Finished and had fun in more than 30 triathlons


Strengthen the body… Empower the mind …and ALWAYS race with Heart. Roberto believes that committing to this ideology, success in triathlon is yours for the taking.

Triathlon is more than an endurance sport...it is a lifestyle and an investment in your overall health. The journey can be challenging however the exhilaration of reaching the pinnacle of your endeavors while experiencing fun along the way, is extremely rewarding.

Roberto believes that in order for an athlete to achieve optimal results, the athlete must have the right training plan and coach in order to navigate through the many facets in triathlon training, each requiring equal and uncompromised attention, as well as the necessary tools and tactics to physically challenge the body while strengthening and empowering the mind to train smart and race smart.

Whether you are a beginner embarking on a new journey or a well-seasoned, highly competitive athlete looking to fine tune your training to get to that next level in your athletic career, Roberto believes that with the right training customized to suit your individual needs, any goal is attainable. Communication is paramount in Roberto's relationship with his clients in order to facilitate the athlete in reaching their goals and maximize results

Level 1

Coaches who have a proven track record as an endurance athlete and were chosen to be a Playtri coach through a highly selective and competitive application process.

Michael

Always in competitive sports, Mike’s past athletic experience ranges from playing West Texas football, to collegiate rugby at Texas A&M, onto playing international professional rugby in South Africa . His first experience with triathlon was lying on his couch watching the Kona coverage. He knew immediately that one day… he would be an Ironman.

A year and a half later and 70 lbs lighter, Mike reached his goal running across the finish line at Ironman Coeur d'Alene. After fully grasping what ironman gave back to his life and the effect that it had on those surrounding the sport, his new focus in life is to help others reach their goals as he did his.

Not only in the water, on the bike, or on the ground, but by promoting a balanced, healthy, and happy lifestyle that dares one to push past their boundaries and achieve their own level of greatness.

When Mike is not training, racing or coaching, he spends his time with his wife, son and two dogs in Colleyville , TX

Craig

Coaching Qualifications
- Playtri Certified Coach


Racing Experience
- 2007 Ironman Florida Finisher
- 2008 Ironman Coeur d'Alene Finisher
- Five time 70.3 distance finisher, including:
2009 70.3 St. Croix
2009 70.3 Longhorn (Austin, Tx)
- More than thirty other triathlons and duathlons

Lisa

Coaching Qualifications
Playtri Certified Coach
Licensed Physical Therapist for over 20 years
Pursuing Masters Degree in Exercise and Sports Nutrition
ACSM Certified Health and Fitness Specialist
Certified Yoga Instructor
Certified Pilates Instructor
Strength and Conditioning Certified Instructor

Racing Experience:
IM 70.3 World Championship qualifier and finisher Clearwater, Florida 08
Multiple Age Group Podium Finishes at Sprint and Olympic Distances
IM 70.3 Kansas 09
IM 70.3 Florida 09
IM 70.3 Cancun 08 (World Championship Qualifier)
IM 70.3 Kansas 08
Texas Man Half IM 07 (First Place, Female Masters)
IM 703. Eagleman 07
Finished and had fun in innumerable duathlon, triathlon and running races

"You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it." --Dr. Wayne Dyer

Lisa believes that endurance exercise is a lifestyle choice that develops a stronger body and mind, a benefit for a person in all aspects of their life. Whether to improve one’s skills, be more fit, or accomplish something once thought unattainable, the fun is in the journey.

Lisa feels that personalized coaching can maximize an individual’s athletic potential while still allowing for a balanced lifestyle. With years of formal education in exercise science, she has the unique ability to design comprehensive and safe training programs for her clients, no matter their fitness level or previous athletic history. Yet as a graduate student with 3 busy kids, a husband, and a job, Lisa understands the delicate balance of life and training. Let her help you to achieve your goals!

Morgan

Email Morgan

"Because life is an adventure."

Morgan grew up on the coast and began swimming at the age of 4 for her local swim team. She started running in middle school, and continued to compete in 5 and 10K's throughout middle school and high school. While she did not compete in any sports during college, she maintained an active lifestyle. She began doing triathlons in 2008, and quickly became competitive. In 2009 she and another local coach founded a youth triathlon team, and began volunteering as coaches for the University of North Texas. Throughout this period she trained with Playtri, and realized that their coaching methods and philosophies aligned with her own, so she took the next step in her career and applied to be a Playtri coach.

She believes that life, ultimately, is meant to be an adventure, and what is triathlon other than a true adventure? She has coached athletes ranging from beginners to elites, and while she enjoys helping athletes to reach their goals, her main motivation is still to ensure that all of her athletes are healthy - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Morgan has completed dozens of triathlons and running races, as well as two Half Ironmans and two USAT National Championships. She still owns and coaches her youth team and volunteers at the University of North Texas as a coach, and works as a bike mechanic at a local sporting goods store.

Morgan is a USAT Level 1 Certified Coach.

Staci

Coaching Qualifications
- Playtri Certified Coach since 2004
- Team in Training Half Ironman Coach 2003, 2004


Racing Experience
- 3rd place age group finish at St. Croix Half Ironman
- 1st place overall finish at Paris Triathlon 2005
- 1st place overall finish at Great Escape Triathlon 2005
- 5th place age group finish at Honu Half Ironman
- Ranked 76th in the nation
- Ranked 4th in age group in SMW region