"Health before Performance"

1) What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to working with Sean? The biggest challenge was increasing pace times / distance but still maintaining energy. Prior to Sean, I could never get over the threshold of qualifying for Boston

2) How did that challenge make you feel? My prior challenges gave me a lower sense of self esteem regarding my fitness and endurance. I just didn’t think it was possible to cross that Boston Qualifying threshold. 

3) What other approaches had you tried to achieve your goals? Prior to Sean, I tried various online training programs and books but always hit a wall during my races particularly with over training and burnout. I would end up blowing up during the previous races.

4) What reservations did you have before working with Sean? I never allowed myself to invest money in my training and had a hard time justifying spending money on myself. 

5) What changed after working with Sean? I saw there was a significant gain both in fitness / endurance but also balanced with rest. That was the biggest surprise was the over training I did before Sean leading to burn out.

6) What specific results can you share? I had two goals, to run a 50 mile ultra and qualify for Boston and achieved both!

7) What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with Sean? It is so worth the investment because it gives more focus, balance, and also you will see significant improvements based your specific goals. 

8) Anything else you would like to add? Sean will get you dialed in to the best fitness while not sacrificing health, wellbeing, and rest.

James, Tenessee

1. What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to working with Sean?

My biggest challenge was knowing what to do to get strong and healthy. I was recovering from my first serious injury and really didn’t know how to get my body back to being able to support the sports I love. Before my injury I had never been a gym person and was pretty self taught in my activities of choice so I felt lost trying to maneuver post-injury.

2. How did that challenge make you feel?

The above challenge made me feel intimidated to join a gym, even though it was obvious I needed some strength training to get me back outside and active. It was also depressing to think that I would never be able to participate in outdoor sports at the same level I was used to. 

3. What other approaches had you tried to achieve your goals?

I had tried to do my normal routine of running, biking and basic sit up/push ups at home before finding Sean, but nothing felt good to do and I would end up hurting more after trying. 

4. What reservations did you have before working with Sean?

Before working with Sean I was concerned the gym would be intimidating and I wouldn’t enjoy the company of the other members. I was also a bit leery of the price. 

5. What changed after working with Sean?

After working with Sean, my life changed, however cliche that may sound. He and I made a plan that revolved around getting me back to the sports I love, not just lifting heavy weight at a gym. I had more energy, I fell in love with how I felt and toning up definitely boosted my confidence too. We talked a lot about lifestyle, diet, sleep, etc and I am always amazed to learn something new when we have our monthly consults.

6. What specific results can you share?

Specifically, my body toned up and I gained strength. I don’t really follow the body scan results, but I know that I was able to load and rig my raft without help, I pulled myself back into the raft after swimming without help and I skinned a mountain this winter in record time. My ability to row and maneuver in whitewater has improved tremendously and I feel more confident doing these sports knowing I have the muscle to back up my knowledge. 

7. What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with Sean?

To anyone on the fence about working with Sean I would say just do it. We all spend so much time and energy on things and people who don’t give back. The commitment to health and fitness gives back everyday. Sean met me where I was, always makes me feel important, always answers all my questions and has become a super important person in my life. 

8. Anything else you would like to add? 

Sean’s the best!

Kat, Colorado

1. What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to working with Sean?  

I had so many!  I think the biggest challenge was that I didn’t understand or appreciate the wholistic, Inter-connectedness of workout with diet, sleep, hydration, etc...  I also had no long term plan for my workouts and I seriously lacked consistency.

2. How did that challenge make you feel?

Frustrated.  I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t showing improvement.  I was expecting unrealistic results based on my inputs.

3. What other approaches had you tried to achieve your goals?

Prior to Sean I just went to the gym and lifted weights.  Very little cardio, very little stretching.  I certainly never really put any real effort into diet.

4. What reservations did you have before working with Sean?

No reservations.  I knew I needed to try something new.  I was in a rut.

5. What changed after working with Sean?

It took time but he slowly began to teach me and convince me of the bigger, interconnected nature of working out.  He helped me prioritize and set goals.  Slowly my approach and belief began to shift.  I began to see real results and my body began to feel much better.

6. What specific results can you share?

When I started with Sean I weighed 240 lbs. and had zero aerobic base.  Over a two year period I’ve lost 40 lbs., I have completed numerous 1/2 marathons and I am currently training for my first marathon.  I’ve significantly increased my overall health, fitness, and strength.  I have greatly improved sleep quality, diet, and hydration.  I am a new person thanks to Sean.

7. What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with Sean?

Don’t hesitate! Do it immediately.  Listen to him.  He knows what he’s talking about!  Sean will set you on the course towards long term, sustainable health and fitness.  There are no shortcuts but he’ll be there every step of the way coaching and supporting you.

8. Anything else you would like to add?  

I couldn’t recommend Sean more.  Sean is an incredible coach. I fought his plan for the first few months because I didn’t believe in it.  As expected I didn’t see the results I was looking for.  Slowly, I began to commit to Sean’s overall plan for designed for me to meet my goals.  Slowly I began to see improvements which began to build beliefs and momentum.  As I began to commit more and more the results began to come more quickly.  If I can see these results, anyone can!

Mark, California

1. What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to working with Sean?

Trusting someone - I can be pretty headstrong and independent to a fault, but there is something about Sean that broke down the wall I usually put up- and to be more specific with "something about Sean," it was the combination of his knowledge base, his ability to apply his knowledge to his own life, and his character.  About his character, Sean is truly a good human.  For example, I once dropped a water bottle on a desert gravel ride and was so focused on being fast that I left it, Sean went back for it.  That was one of the first lesions he taught me. Physically my biggest challenge was long steady, steep climbs on the bike.

2. How did that challenge make you feel?  

Learning to make the better choices by Sean's example was humbling. Building a better core and stronger posterior chain gave me an opportunity to keep up on those long steep climbs, empowering!

3. What other approaches had you tried to achieve your goals?

For the past 25 or so years, I have been afraid of doing strength training form my legs because I ride and run so much, so I stayed away from it. I have used Rosstraining for years for the upper body and core, although they are great, Sean's program is the next level and then some.  I thought I had a good core before I started with Sean, I mean I had an 8 pack stomach, ect - funny what you learn and achieve when you allow  yourself to be helped by a professional!

4. What reservations did you have before working with Sean?

I did not want to waste my time, I thought I was in pretty good shape. I was skeptical of lifting leg weights.

5. What changed after working with Sean?

My legs and core became stronger and my body became more flexible!

6. What specific results can you share?

Well 10 weeks ago I could only hold a side plank for 1:30.  Today I did 3 min. I am better on long steep climbs, I feel stronger and ride easier and faster. I am more fit on trail runs, and really notice it on technical sections both up and down hill. I go back if I or any one with me drops a water bottle on an open road or trail.

7. What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with Sean?

Do it, you will be glad you did!

8. Anything else you would like to add? 

Can't say enough!

Thank you Sean

Ali, DC, Arkansas

1. What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to working with Sean?

Before working with Sean I had problematic knees from years of running. Doctors told me to stop running but I struggled to find a new exercise regime to replace the running. In the absence of running and life's stressors I had gained considerable weight and also had low back pain. 

2. How did that challenge make you feel?

I felt discouraged that I wouldn't be able to lose the weight and feel light on my feet and athletic again. It felt like I was sliding down a slope of age where I would just continue to feel worse and worse in my body.

3. What other approaches had you tried to achieve your goals? 

I had joined Parkpoint (a regular membership gym) and I had also done High Intensity Group Classes. 

4. What reservations did you have before working with Sean?

The program didn't sound convincing. In a world where the message is that you only get results by pushing really hard, I had my reservations about committing to the program that Sean had told me about. As I think is often the case, I was convinced by the testimony of a friend that it could work which convinced me to give it a try. 

5. What changed after working with Sean?

Everything changed.

7. What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with Sean?

In the beginning Sean programmed a lot of gentle movements for me to regain mobility and strength. I was recovering from a complicated pregnancy so this was key. I felt anxious to get to the hard stuff but Sean reminded me frequently to be patient with the process. After about a year of working with Sean, I had lost 35-40 pounds, had no knee or lower back pain. Every once and while the knee or back stuff would flare up and Sean would arrest it quickly with specific movements. My core strength, balance, energy and general athletic ability sky rocketed. I'm in the best shape I've been in since my 20s (now in my 40s). I enjoy a wide variety of sports and feel prepared for all of them from my work with Sean. I enjoy a very active lifestyle without injury thanks to my training. 

8. Anything else you would like to add?

I think the Individualized programming is a great framework. On top of that Sean is a particularly intuitive and intelligent coach. Couldn't recommend it highly enough. 

Phoebe, California