FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Choosing coaching can bring up a lot of questions.
Here you’ll find answers about how Ascend works, the difference between our coaching options, and what to expect if you decide to get started.
1. How do I get started?
Everything starts with a discovery call.
This gives us a chance to understand your current training, your goals, and what you feel is missing. We’ll also explain how our coaching works and help you decide which level of support, if any, feels right.
2.Is there any obligation after the discovery call?
No. The call is imply a conversation.
It’s an opportunity to explore whether coaching would be helpful for you, without any expectation to commit.
3. Do I need to be an experienced athlete to work with Ascend?
Not at all.
Most athletes we work with are already training consistently, but feel they would benefit from clearer structure and direction. Whether you’re preparing for your first event or looking to perform at a higher level, we tailor support around where you are now.
4. What’s the difference between your coaching options?
We offer two levels of support.
Performance Coaching is our more complete coaching option, with ongoing refinement, regular coach input, and integrated support around training, strength, recovery, and nutrition.
Structured Coaching is designed for athletes who want a personalised plan and expert guidance at key points, but who are happy training more independently between reviews.
Both are built around the same coaching philosophy: helping you train with clarity and progress consistently.
5. How do I know which coaching option is right for me?
That depends on the level of support you’re looking for.
If you want regular communication, ongoing adjustments, and closer guidance as your training evolves, Performance Coaching is likely the better fit.
If you want a clear, personalised structure with support at scheduled points, Structured Coaching may suit you well.
We can help you decide during the discovery call.
6. Can I move between coaching options?
Yes.
Some athletes begin with Structured Coaching and later move to Performance Coaching when they want more support. Others may step the other way depending on what they need at that stage of training.
7. Will my training plan be personalised?
Yes.
Your training is built around your goals, background, current fitness, available time, and life outside sport. We want your plan to fit your life realistically, not just look good on paper.
8. What sports do you support?
We work with endurance athletes across running, triathlon, cycling, and other endurance-based goals.
Whether you’re preparing for a specific event or simply want more structure in your training, coaching is shaped around your individual aims.
9. Do you include strength training and injury support?
Yes.
Strength work is included where appropriate, and our coaching approach is supported by physiotherapy input. That means we can help you build resilience, support performance, and adapt training sensibly if niggles or injuries arise.
10. Do you provide nutrition support?
Yes.
Nutrition is part of our wider coaching approach, and we can help you think more clearly about fuelling, recovery, and performance. Where needed, more individual nutrition support is also available through our team.
11. What happens if life gets in the way of training?
That’s part of the process.
Training should work around your life, not compete with it. We take your work, family commitments, recovery, and general life load into account so training remains realistic and sustainable.
For athletes on Performance Coaching, plans can be adjusted more proactively as things change. Structured Coaching gives you a clear framework and review points to help manage that bigger picture.
12. How often will I hear from my coach?
This depends on the coaching option you choose.
Performance Coaching includes ongoing support, regular check-ins, and continued refinement of your training.
Structured Coaching includes scheduled review calls and a personalised plan with clear progression, but not the same level of ongoing day-to-day contact.
13. How is training delivered?
Training is delivered through TrainingPeaks, where you can view your sessions and track your progress.
We’ll guide you through setup so everything is clear from the start.
14. Do I need special equipment?
No specialist equipment is required.
We build your training around what you have access to, whether that’s a gym, turbo trainer, or simply the roads, trails, and time available to you.
For strength work, we may recommend some basic equipment depending on your situation, but we keep this practical.
15. Is there a minimum commitment?
That depends on the coaching option and your goals.
In general, meaningful progress comes from consistent training over time, so we encourage athletes to think beyond quick fixes. We can talk through what makes sense for you during the discovery call.
16. What makes Ascend different?
We focus on coaching the whole athlete.
That means looking beyond sessions alone and considering recovery, strength, nutrition, injury management, and the wider demands of life. Our aim is to give athletes more clarity, more confidence, and more consistent progress.
Coaching starts with a conversation, not a commitment.