MY COACHING
APPROACH
A Personal Path to Better Running — and Better Wellbeing
I first started running at 16, mainly to help with my mental health. At the time, I had no goals, no watch, and no expectations — just the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other along the Hastings seafront.
That simple habit became a passion. I joined Hastings Athletics Club at 18, ran my first half marathon shortly after (1:36:39), and haven’t stopped since. My personal bests now include 1:09:43 for the half marathon and 2:25:32 for the full — but that’s just part of the story.
With a BSc and MSc in Sport and Exercise Science, and experience as both a teacher and a coach, I’ve spent years combining academic knowledge with real-world application.
I’ve taught PE and Psychology, gained personal training qualifications, and now coach part-time while continuing to teach Psychology and volunteer at Hastings AC.
The biggest lesson I’ve learnt? It’s not just about the training. It’s about building a routine that supports the mind as much as the body — especially for those who don’t always feel like they ‘fit’ the traditional mould.
My Coaching Style
I work with runners of all levels — from total beginners to experienced club athletes — and I approach coaching with a few simple values:
No egos, no judgement
Just supportive, practical advice tailored to you.
Structure, not pressure
A plan that fits your life, not the other way round.
Progress that’s personal
Physical improvements, but just as importantly, mental ones too.
Whether your goal is to finish your first 5K or hit a marathon PB, I’ll be in your corner.
How It Works
We’ll start with a short questionnaire to get a feel for your background, goals, and lifestyle.
From there, I’ll create a personalised 2-week trial plan so you can get a sense of the structure and flow. I’ll also be in touch regularly via WhatsApp to check in, provide feedback, and make adjustments where needed.
If it’s a good fit, we’ll continue with a monthly plan tailored around your progress, commitments, and preferred style of training. You’ll get structure, support, and someone in your corner — without the pressure.
CLIENT REVIEWS
“Thank you Rhys! I ran the Edinburgh Marathon in 4h 46m 56s and I smashed my target of a sub 5 hour marathon. I took 20 minutes off my Brighton marathon time!! Now you may think that is not so amazing BUT, I had never been able to run distance even as a child and only began aiming for 5k 11 years ago! Also, I am 61 in a few days!! Conditions were not ideal: it was a super wet start to the race , dry in the middle and a torrential finish, a lot of runners were walking and it was hard to get round them. Rhys developed a personal training plan for my Edinburgh Marathon, to fit in with my busy schedule and the other workouts I like to do. Rhys gave me lots of great tips for fuelling and nutrition, as a result I did not lose energy in the race nor get cramp. I am absolutely delighted with my result .”
“Started working with Rhys shortly after having my first child. I had lost the enjoyment in my running and was really struggling for consistency. Rhys was brilliant from start to finish. Rhys really listens and adapts the plan to your needs as well as bringing the wealth of experience he has from being such a great runner himself. I managed to get my 2.41 marathon pb hitting about 80k mileage a week at its max, which is a prime example of how Rhys really built the plan around my life (my friends doing similar times were doing far higher miles but Rhys really focuses on quality, not just quantity). The best feedback that I could give is I am about to start my second plan and am loving running again! Would recommend Rhys to anyone who wants to improve their running and well being.”
“I can’t recommend Coach Rhys highly enough. His coaching style strikes the perfect balance between encouragement and challenge, helping me push beyond what I thought I was capable of.Rhys took the time to understand my goals and build a plan around them – and the results speak for themselves. With his guidance, I achieved a 14-minute marathon PB, his structured training, smart pacing advice, and unwavering support made all the difference, especially on race day.
Since working with Rhys, I’ve seen a big improvement in both my performance and mindset. He’s not just helped me become a better runner – he’s helped me enjoy the process more, too. TOP TOP Coach!!”
“I would definitely recommend Rhys as a running coach. Thanks to his personalised training plan, I ran a marathon in 2:49, and also set new PB in both the 10k and park run. The plan was well structured, progressive and accommodated my individual needs and goals. He was able to adapt my plan at short notice if I couldn’t make a running session due to work/life commitments. Pricing is very reasonable for the quality of coaching and results delivered. If you’re looking for someone with extensive knowledge, then give him a message.”
Affordable, Supportive Coaching for All
This isn’t about elite-only coaching or expensive subscriptions. My aim is to make coaching accessible, honest, and genuinely helpful — especially for those who might not have thought of themselves as “runners”.
If you’re ready to start, restart, or just shake things up, I’d love to hear from you.
