MEET OUR COACHES
We are Podium Addict
Our coaching is personalised to you, we understand everyone is different with different goals, ambitions, strengths and weaknesses. Which is why we have a team of coaches with different backgrounds, to best suit you as an athlete.
We do this to ensure your development, objectives and goals are met, and hopefully exceeded!
All of our coaches at Podium Addict have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They each have individual skill sets and areas of expertise to ensure your coach is the best fit for you to enable you to reach your full potential.
Natalie Grainger
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IRONMAN COACH
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IM70.3 WC
S&C Guru
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I am a former helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy now gym and performance cycling studio owner.
I joined Podium Addict initially as an athlete but it was a natural progression to coach.
My dog is my first love but then it is all things swim, bike, run but I also work with clients towards other goals, not just triathlon (recently Kilimanjaro, Ultras and Special Forces selection).
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I like to use a holistic approach to training, looking into all aspects of triathlon and not just how fast you can swim, bike or run. My programmes are developed hand in hand with the athlete to ensure high levels of compliance and a greater chance of smashing their goals.
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My own tri career highlight was qualifying for the IM70.3 WC and then finishing in the top 20%. Pushing for the a huge goal all season long was both exhausting and motivational but it gave me a real insight and appreciation into what my athletes strive for every day of the week. And yes, I was a PA athlete at the time and the coaches were brilliant!
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Sam Thompson
FOUNDER​
IRONMAN COACH
TRIDOT COACH
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Kona 2019, 2022 Finisher
Team GB Age Group Athlete
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I've been coaching people informally for a number of years. Triathlon and helping people are my passions. Over the years I’ve been on the receiving end of both good and very bad coaching, not just in the world of tri, and having used these experiences to better my knowledge and skill set as a coach.
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I'm still pushing my own limits in order to find ways to develop our athletes, I am a firm believer of not asking someone to do a session I wouldn't or couldn't do myself!
I realise that not everyone can dedicate their life to training and my coaching philosophy reflects that, there is after all, more to life than training and triathlon.
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I've ticked a lot of boxes along the way to here. I've qualified and raced at KONA! Represented GB at World and European level, raced over 10 Ironmans (including a sub 10hr and the biggest long course race on the planet), countless 70.3's, joined the Brotherhood of Ventoux, cycled non-stop from Glasgow to Land's End and raced 24hr enduro mountain bike events.
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I am absolutely passionate about helping athletes unlock their full potential and take the approach that no stone is left unturned in order to achieve this.
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Chantel Coetzer
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IRONMAN COACH
BTF COACH
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Multiple Ironman AG wins
Top 10 AG IMWC
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Balancing triathlon training with the demands of a busy career and personal life isn't easy but it's something that I understand. As a coach, my goal is to take the guess work out of training and provide a clear pathway that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
My own triathlon journey has shaped who I am today. It is a sport that has taught me resilience, discipline and the joy of chasing goals. That passion led me to coaching where I get to share in the successes of others - a feeling that is hard to beat.
I believe the key to sustainable progress lies in making training both effective and enjoyable. Every athlete is unique and I thrive on tailoring plans to suit an individual.
What truly sets triathlon apart for me is the incredible sense of camaraderie it fosters. Through this sport and the amazing team at Podium Addict, I've met people who motivate and inspire me every day. I am proud to be part of such a supportive community.
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Quentin Grieu
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BRITISH TRIATHLON COACH
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Top 100 Embrunman
3rd La Transtica Ultra (200km)
Norseman Black T Shirt
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Coming from a tennis background (where I reached a National Level), I fully understand the requirements needed to perform at a competitive level. I have pursued my passion for sports by racing a variety of ultra-trail runs (multi-day events such as crossing Costa Rica from East to West, Wadi Rum in Jordan and the Pyrenees in France).
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I officially started my triathlon career in Dubai where I absolutely fell in love with the sport. Since then, I have gone from being satisfied as a 'finisher' to aiming for Kona qualification.
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I am now actively on the quest for my KQ and realise that triathlon is a demanding sport at whatever level you are at. I fully appreciate the challenge of training, performing at work, maintaining social interactions and looking after loved ones. That is before you consider how and when to fuel yourself or when to clean your bike!
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In addition to bringing myself to a level of fitness I have never reached in my life, triathlon is teaching me so much more. My wish as a coach is to provide you with as much insight as I can from my various experiences and to put you on the path to your own success.
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I have always approached my personal training with a methodical and mathematical approach. It is one that allows me to study the data and apply a quantified response to scenarios rather than guessing or falling into the 'I must train harder' trap. I am also a strong believer in the social aspect of our sport. Training should be fun, and training can make anyones dream come true, anyone!
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