Meet Our Team

Meet Kristen Thomas

“It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal.” ― Helen Keller

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.

Over the years, I have taken time off for injuries, I have been humbled by sport and life challenges, but I am still on the path to be better each day even though it looks different year after year. I still embrace racing and pushing myself to new limits.  I enjoy when others challenge me to do new things.  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 lies in connecting with the authentic individual—understanding who they truly are—and helping them unlock their highest potential.

This process starts with building a relationship rooted in trust. When athletes trust me, they allow me to challenge them when it’s time to push—and to rein them in when it’s time to pull back. I believe great coaching is about more than just physical training; it’s about reading the whole person and knowing what they need in that moment to grow.

I emphasize balance: between seriousness and joy, between focused training and recovery, between striving hard and simply enjoying the process. That balance is what keeps people in sport for the long haul—whether they’re just starting at age 9 or picking it up for the first time at 60.

Longevity in sport requires taking care of both the brain and the body. Sustainable progress doesn’t come from mindlessly piling on volume, but from intentional, high-quality work tailored to each individual’s goals and life context. Whether someone is chasing a podium or simply trying to stay active and healthy, my coaching centers on specific, purposeful training—not just logging yards or miles.

I work with junior swimmers to refine their technique, sharpen their mental edge, and develop race strategies that help them succeed—again and again. I guide adults through the journey of completing their first triathlon and, for some, even crossing the finish line of an Ironman. I’ve taught individuals who once feared putting a toe in the water how to swim laps with confidence—and eventually embrace the open water with joy.

I thrive when working with clients who are committed, curious, and willing to put in the effort. Whether they’re facing physical hurdles or mental blocks, I welcome the challenge of helping them move forward.

One of my core strengths is meeting athletes exactly where they are—honestly assessing their current level and then providing the coaching and structure needed to get them where they want to go. I teach that reaching big goals takes more than physical training; it takes the alignment of both physiology and psychology. When athletes develop both their bodies and their minds, they open the door to extraordinary outcomes.

Achieving success requires knowledge, planning, and dedication. My role is to educate, guide, hold them accountable, and fuel their motivation—every step of the way.

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” -Abraham Lincoln

Meet Tommy Johnson

Triathlon and endurance sports are all about the journey to your goal race. The journey is the destination.

Enjoying the journey…

I’ve always been a cyclist. I can’t remember ever not riding a bike. As a teenager, I rode to the swim club for fun and swim team workouts. In high school I rode to stay in shape during the summer for the upcoming football season. In college my bike was my transportation. After college I was able to afford my first ‘really nice bike’ – a Trek 2200. Club rides and races followed. Cycling continued to be my sport for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Fast forward to 2004. I had just completed an MBA degree and was looking for a new challenge. I’m very goal oriented and having something to work towards brings me great satisfaction. “Get back into bike club rides and races,” I thought. I was surfing bike race websites and came across websites for triathlon races. “I already have the cycling background. I swam some in high school. All I have to do is add the running,” was my thinking. After my first race in Las Cruces, NM, I was hooked. Triathlon is now my “lifestyle”.

My Coaching Philosophy

My coaching philosophy is based on effective athlete/coach communication and athlete education. I believe effective coaching requires the athlete and coach to communicate on a very regular basis. I encourage my coached athletes to communicate via text, email, phone, video conference or face-to-face whenever needed. As your coach, it’s my job to know the science of training and use it appropriately to help you reach your goals. Effective athlete/coach communication adds context to the training plan and workout data. We aren’t pro athletes with unlimited time to train. We all have other commitments – families, children, work, school, etc. Together we’ll design a plan that takes into account your real life situation and that accomplishes your goals. Along the journey you will have an enjoyable and exhilarating experience training and racing.

Coaching since 2008

Meet Becky Kaye

“Be Strong in Your Resolve, Deal Only with What IS and avoid Wondering What If!” – Unknown

I have had an active, energetic mind my whole life. At the same time, I’ve struggled always wondering if, or when, my body would match! From a young age, I was overweight, and I carried this with me for years. I made critical life decisions based on it — deciding to follow a career path of graphic design rather than a more active job of teaching and coaching. I played sports, coached sports, both adult and youth, all while still maintaining an unhealthy weight.

In 1995, tired of making choices in my life based on fear or limitations, I decided to change my lifestyle, ultimately my whole life. Over the next 4 years, I lost 108 pounds. As my overall physical, as well as my self-confidence, dramatically improved, I realized my current career and lifestyle were not making me happy. Because I wanted to instruct, coach, help others reach healthy goals as well as be more active personally, I chose a new career and a new lifestyle.

I went back to school to become a Physical Therapist and signed up for my first endurance cycling event, a 350-mile ride over four days. I was hooked! Then in 2002 after participating in my first Americas Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe with Team in Training (TNT), I began a path to becoming a Coach. Through the TNT program, I completed my beginner and advanced cycling certifications and went on to coach several teams in subsequent years. Being a coach for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society TNT program has been one of the most gratifying experiences in my life. I met amazing people of all athletic abilities and felt honored to help them achieve their fitness and cycling goals. In 2013, with the help of an amazing triathlon coach and friend (who just happens to be Coach Kristen) I began participating in triathlons, completing my first one, River Cities Triathlon, at the age of 50! Little did I know that my real journey had just begun.

My Coaching Philosophy

“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.” — Arthur Ashe

Too often, we become so consumed with the finish line that we overlook the richness of the process that brings us there. I’ve learned, both as an athlete and a coach, that the journey itself is not just a means to an end but the source of real growth and lasting fulfillment. Every challenge, each little victory, and all the stumbles along the way are part of what shapes us—not just as athletes, but as people.

Throughout my years of coaching, I’ve had the privilege of guiding athletes of every background, many of whom never thought of themselves as “athletes” at all when they started. Watching them discover their potential, and celebrating each milestone—no matter how small—reminds me why I do this work. My experience as a physical therapist since 1997 and as a coach since 2006 has given me a toolkit not only of technical know-how, but of empathy, patience, and encouragement.

My coaching philosophy centers around being present, both for myself and for those I work with. I strive to listen actively, observe carefully, and support every step my athletes take. The obstacles that arise are not setbacks—they’re opportunities, each one offering a chance for growth and a reason to celebrate the ongoing adventure. My commitment is to help you pursue your goals, but even more, to find joy and pride in the journey that gets you there. After all, it’s not just about crossing the finish line—it’s about who you become on the way.

Meet Coach Bryce

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” -Ryan Holiday

Finding Your Own Path

We often view fitness as a linear path, when in reality that path has many twists and turns along the way. It involves a process of finding out what works and what doesn’t for each individual. What you enjoy and what you absolutely hate. What makes you feel good and what feels more like a chore.

My personal fitness journey and my path within the fitness industry is no different. I struggled with my weight and body dysmorphia for the better part of 25+ years. Growing up, I was always the “funny fat kid” who hid my insecurities through humor. I did get lucky in being a generally natural athlete who didn’t have to try too hard to pick up new sports. But this ultimately left me with a false narrative that I didn’t need to put in the hard work when it came to my fitness. Oh boy, I was wrong.

I am now a certified personal trainer, Certified USA TRI coach and someone who completed his first Tri (on a rented bike), ran in various Spartan races, tackled 100-mile bike rides, and even competed in the Hyrox world championships. I’m always looking for a new race and a new challenge to tackle. My health and fitness journey has taken some unexpected twists and turns along the way, but I am excited to see where this path leads and hopeful that many more will come along for the ride.

My Coaching Philosophy

I firmly believe that we are a product of where we invest our time, energy, and effort. My coaching style involves assessing where my athletes currently are and where they ultimately want to be. We then develop a plan to make small, attainable adjustments within their lives to ensure that their habits are supporting the lifestyle they want to live. This is my philosophy for all my athletes, from brand new athletes to endurance athletes hoping to podium in their next race – we focus on the small adjustments that lead to big results over time. Through positive encouragement, support, and sometimes tough love, I teach my athletes to trust in the process and enjoy the journey.

Coaching since 2018

Meet Bobby Manning

“The moment you feel like quitting is the moment you need to keep going.” — Unknown

I grew up in Garland, Texas, where swimming became part of my life from the moment I took lessons at four years old. I joined the local swim team soon after and found my stride in butterfly—my first lesson in how persistence can shape performance.

After high school, I discovered my passion for coaching while teaching lessons and assisting with the swim team at Lifetime Fitness. Although I loved the work, it wasn’t sustainable long term, and I eventually spent a decade in the A/V industry. The demanding travel and lifestyle took a toll on my health, motivating me to rebuild myself through training. That journey led me into endurance events, where I completed all three Spartan Race distances and earned the Spartan Trifecta—a turning point that reignited my drive for fitness.

During the pandemic, I earned my personal training certification and took a chance on a new path at Cooper Fitness Center. That leap allowed me to return to coaching full-time, grow within the profession, and launch Cooper’s first youth swim team, The Cooper Cyclones.

Now, I’m expanding deeper into the triathlon world and bringing my passion for swim coaching, fitness, and endurance training to a new chapter at Sport Speed Lab. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and to helping athletes of all levels push their limits, build confidence, and reach their next breakthrough.

My Coaching Philosophy

My coaching philosophy begins with comfort. If an athlete isn’t comfortable in the training process, they’ll never be fully ready for the end goal. In swimming, I often see athletes who want to improve but can’t understand why they’re not progressing. The common factor is almost always comfort in the water. My approach focuses on reducing anxiety, building confidence, and creating an environment where athletes feel safe, supported, and capable. Once that comfort is established, technique and efficiency develop quickly and naturally.

Patience is the second foundation of my coaching. Meaningful goals aren’t achieved overnight, they come from time, dedication, and consistent effort. I work to provide training plans that fit each athlete’s lifestyle while still keeping fitness and health a priority. Life happens, schedules shift, and things aren’t always perfect. Progress comes from navigating those obstacles and continually returning to the path of improvement. My role as a coach is to guide, support, and challenge athletes while helping them build habits that last far beyond a single season or goal.