Meet Kristen Thomas
“Strength does not come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you could not do.” – Unknown
We all need help to succeed…
It seems it always takes someone else to help us get set and excel on the path to health and success. My athletic life began by my wonderful parents putting me on a swim team when I was just two years old. Luckily, I had coaches that were willing to work with me at such a young age. I was excited to learn and participate in the sport (and I still hold a swimming record in my hometown). Fast forward through many, many training sessions with guidance from several coaches…as I began college at Purdue University, it took friends to teach me about lifting weights and introduce me to the school’s water polo team. Playing water polo for a Big Ten team was something I never thought I could do. I was happier and healthier, mentally and physically, when I was challenged, active, and engaged with others. I fell off the exercise train when I took a corporate job and moved away from anyone I knew. I was unhappy, angry, and depressed without activity in my life. One day I was tired of being tired. I just started running one block at a time. I looked up a famous running coach from my hometown (Hal Higdon) because I had his wife as my 6th-grade teacher. Utilizing his plan, I trained for a half marathon and at that race discovered the wonderful group: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. With their help, I prepared for my first triathlon and then, through TNT, was provided the opportunity to mentor others that wanted to get into the sport. Once I started coaching with them, I knew I had found my passion for helping others achieve their goals. Triple Threat Tough and Sport Speed Lab were created out of that passion which still intensifies to this day. My life, especially professionally, is blessed because others have invested in me. I want to do the same and devote my time and energy in others. As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17).
My Coaching Philosophy
My passion as a coach resides in helping people achieve things they never thought possible. I take junior swimmers and refine their technique and strategy to help them win championships. I guide adults to help them succeed at crossing their first triathlon, and then Ironman, finish line. I teach people who were once afraid even to put their toe in a pool, how to swim laps and go on to enjoy open water swimming. I excel at assessing where clients are currently at and then coaching them on what they need to do to get to where they want to go. I teach my athletes that it takes two things to accomplish their goals: physiology and psychology. If they properly evolve both the body and the brain, they can attain anything they set out to do. It takes knowledge, planning, and commitment. It is my job to educate, guide, and motivate them through every step of the way.
“Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.”
— Ella Wheeler Wilcox