Testimonials
Jeremy Topin
After 2 years of triathlons I made the plunge and signed up for IM WI. Training up to that point had been self directed and somewhat random. Given my busy schedule as a physician, husband and father of 2 young children, I decided on working with a coach to help maximize what little time I had to train.
Starting from the initial phone interview, Brett listened to my thoughts and goals as well as my perceived limiters. He did not make any promises about finishing or goal times but was up front about the time commitment to be prepared for the big day.
The following eleven months, Brett proved to be more than a very “knowledgeable” coach able to provide weekly workouts. The coaching I received was individualized and tailored specifically for me and evolved literarily on an almost daily basis. Besides devising a training plan, Brett provided for me the following:
1. A comprehensive rehabilitative plan for a piriformis injury including; finding an ART therapist., direct instruction for a stretching and strengthening plan , gait analysis and developing a walk/run strategy for building back up my running that had NO real setbacks.
2. Multiple bike fits as I worked through different bike setups to minimize further injury.
3. Weekly, sometime daily, and even hourly modifications to my training schedule based upon a crazy work and family schedule.
Over the course of eleven months, despite several injuries, and far less available time for training than originally planned, Brett was able to provide me with enough base training to complete my first IM, walk/running the whole marathon in a little over 13 hrs; despite never riding more than 85 miles on the bike or running more than a 15 mile long run. I attribute this completely to Brett, being able to adapt and tailor my training plan based upon my specific and constantly changing needs.
As a physician, I am biased towards using scientific evidence to guide my practice. Brett constantly is backing up his training approach and methods with scientific literature as opposed to anecdotal stories and advice.
In my opinion, the combination of individualized, scientifically based training program Brett designs for his athletes truly separates him from other coaching “packages” offered by other coaches or programs. Jeremy Topin
Jessica Niekrasz
Nearly a year after having a child, I still found myself with saddled with pregnancy weight. I met Brett in April 2005 with the goal of training for a half marathon. That was the first of 3 half marathons I ran that summer. During the off season, Brett kept working on my strength, balance and form. The following spring, I ran (and finished) my first marathon!
Since then, Brett has introduced me to triathlon and helped develop my swimming and biking skills. I have gone from someone who is capable of getting across a pool without drowning to someone who is efficient and strong in the water. My average speed on the bike has increased by over 2 mph in less than a year. After two seasons, I have 6 tri’s under my belt and am ready to tackle more next year. I even took 1st in my age group at one race!!!
I logged numerous personal records this season including 5K and 10K distances, sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and am angling for one at the half marathon distance in December. It is with Brett’s incredible knowledge, clear communication and patience that I achieved these goals.
Brett’s style is direct, concise and enthusiastic. He is flexible and easy to work with. And he is tough. The challenges I undertake with his guidance actually provide additional confidence from the get go because I am certain that with his coaching, I can’t fail. Jessica Niekrasz
Tom Schaper
In 18 months under Brett's coaching, I lost 40 lbs, can run a 10K in under 40 minutes, and have qualified for the USA Triathlon National Championship. Thanks Brett!!! Tom Schaper
Steve Janowiak
After racing triathlons for 7 years I didn't expect to realize substantial performance gains from working with a triathlon coach. However, within the first 9 months of working with Brett I was able to realize substantial improvements in my performance. My half Ironman triathlon distance personal best time was improved by over 70 minutes (PR of 5:10) and my marathon personal best time was improved by over 40 minutes (PR of 3:35). The following year (2005), I decided to continue into the off season and subsequent triathlon
season under Brett's guidance and coaching.
I set my goal race in 2005 as Ironman Wisconsin and during the 9 months leading up to
the Ironman, Brett formulated a comprehensive, weekly tailored training program
complete with blood lactate threshold tests and a V02 max test in order to fine
tune my training heart rate zones as well as gauge my aerobic fitness progress.
The result was getting through 9 months of arduous training INJURY FREE and
successfully completing the most grueling Ironman race seen by the race
organizers as evidenced by the almost 20% DNF (Did Not Finish) rate as well as
the slowest winning Ironman time (over 9 hours) in more than 20 years. Not only
did I complete this race and not DNF (only 45 minutes slower than I projected)
but I completed it feeling so incredibly strong and full of energy that I
honestly felt that the Ironman race was actually anticlimactic. The two stand
alone marathons I completed were definitely much more difficult than the Ironman
Wisconsin race. I honestly believe that this can only be attributed to 2 things;
Brett's well regulated, individualized, progressive training program that
prepared me incredibly well for the Ironman distance as well as his very
accurate determination of what an appropriate pacing strategy should be for me
for the race. All other first time Ironman athletes I've spoken to over the
years have never had such an easy, flawlessly executed Ironman race.
After working with Brett for 2 years there are two main things that I have found
to be unique when compared to other triathlon coaches. The first and most
important thing is that Brett has an incredible academic background in
physiology and pharmacology which translates into a solid, broad, functional,
and accurate understanding of how the human body works. In addition, Brett's
coaching is much more scientific and research oriented that is based on both
sound academic grounding as well as on real world execution and refinement with
his athletes.
Brett's ability to use his knowledge and experience with his innate ability to
accurately refine his personalized training programs to meet his clients' goals
translates into his athletes' unsurpassed athletic achievements. Steve
Janowiak
When I started working with Brett, I was completely out of shape and not at all confident that I would be able to complete a triathlon, ever. I could not swim from one side of the pool to the other and I had regular back, shoulder, and knee pain. After one pool session with Brett, I knew that he would be able to get me where I wanted to go. He has that very rare combination of being excellent at something and also being excellent at teaching that skill to others.
I have recently completed my sixth triathlon (4 Sprint distance, 2 Olympic distance), including the Chicago Accenture race. In the 18 months that Brett and I have been working together, I have not missed a single workout or race due to injury. Brett constructs my monthly workout plans based on my travel and work schedule and I know that if I complete the workouts, I will achieve the goals that he and I have laid out together.
Brett’s coaching has been absolutely invaluable to me. Triathlon and physical fitness have become a part of my life and I have never felt better, physically or mentally. When I consider the small monthly fee that I pay to Brett for his coaching, it is certainly the best money I have ever spent. I can’t say enough about Brett’s coaching abilities and about the effect he has had on my life. Charlie Megan
