RPG Coach Feature - Man Of The People and Triathlon Fan Favourtie, Tim Van Berkel
A man who needs little introduction, we are absolutely stoked to have Tim Van Berkel join the RPG crew. Bringing a wealth of elite-level experience as a 5-time Ironman Champion, Tim is known for his approachable nature and commitment to his athletes. He’s a valuable mentor both on and off the course, guiding athletes not just to great results but to a genuine love for the sport.
Winning Sunny Coast 70.3
How did you get into coaching?
When I was coming to the pointy end of my pro career, I had some interest from a couple of athletes to help them out with Ironman programs, and I always had an interest in coaching which stemmed from being coached by some of the world’s best coaches over the years. It is great to be able to give back some of the knowledge and insights I have picked up over my 20 years to others. It’s amazing to watch people reach their personal goals - definitely the best part of the job.
What’s the best piece of coaching advice you have ever been given?
Consistency is King. And I truly believe this trumps everything.
Why RPG and what is it like being part of the team and working with a former race rival Reedy?
I grew up both training and racing with Reedy and I’ve always had huge respect for him and his dedication and talent. It’s been a privilege to work alongside him, see how he operates behind the scenes and as a coach learn from his coaching IQ. I have watched him build RPG from the ground up and we have chatted about joining forces on and off for years but it all now aligned and I’m stoked to be on the RPG team and be part of the community he has built.
How would you describe your coaching style?
I think I like to focus on building longer term resilience and performance by building programs that are well balanced and really focussed on individual needs, lifestyles and goals. I am approachable and easy going and like to ensure that the volume is there whilst including key sessions and recovery.
What do you believe makes certain athletes successful?
Drive and dedication to consistent training but this can sometimes come at the compromise of other life factors. A bit of natural talent helps, and looking at the whole picture like a puzzle so for example not just focussing on the training hours but also recovery, nutrition, injury prevention, equipment, sleep etc.
1:1 coaching is as much for the working amateur athlete with highly restricted training hours as it is for an elite athlete. Optimise what time you have with a coach building a plan around your schedule, recovery and training / racing goals.
If you’re interested in learning more about 1:1 coaching with Tim or any of the RPG Coaching team, contact us at info@rpgcoaching.com, we’d love to hear from you.
