ABOUT James

JAMES BECKINSALE M.Sc (Sports Sci), BTF L3

Current

Like most coaches I started off by ‘doing’, I then found a love of teaching and now very much enjoy the combination of both.

I believe as a younger coach I ‘over-coached’, I always wanted to be giving instruction (ex-military PTI). But how do we instruct key elements like relaxation or confidence? I realise now sport is 80% mental, therefore empowering the athlete to own their training is the next level of coaching.

For example, when we are trying to improve swimming, we naturally tend to overthink it or try too hard. This is when our muscles tighten up, leading to a lack of fluidity in our stroke and we don’t ‘feel’ the water. Being coached to ‘relax’ just makes matters worse, leading to more frustration and tightness.

The mPEAK practices I teach allow pathways through this type of psychological complexity and many more situations endurance athletes face. The combination of physical and mental training is the key to unlocking athletic potential.

History

My love of sport began at a very young age, spending my youth (11-23 years) boxing, where I picked up several representative honors & titles.

Formative years

My ambition was always to join the armed forces where I had a number of operational tours, but importantly this is where I found my love of teaching physical training.  Between 1991 and 1995 I embarked on courses to become a physical training instructor (PTI L3 & L2).

I left the armed forces in 1995 to further my education and self-development. Shortly after I discovered a sport that required a similar level of psychological strength to boxing ... with some new skills thrown in! I started triathlon as a pure novice (could not swim!) in 1995 with Thames Turbo. Two years later I moved to Australia to learn more about the new sport I had fallen in love with. On my return to the UK I was selected to represent GB at the World Triathlon Championships (AG) in Canada in 1999 (I think my bike was last or at least second to last in transition out of the swim!).

Optima Racing Team

In 2000, I founded Optima Racing Team; my aim was to coach a group of like-minded individuals within a team environment. This vision has been realised by having coached age group, elite, and junior elite triathletes to medal at World, European, and Ironman competitions.

Olympic Games

In 2012 I coached Gillian Sanders to her first Olympic Games in only 18 months, from her career as a full-time lawyer in the city of London. I have gone on to help Gillian to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014, a number of top 5s in WTS racing, her 2nd Olympic Games in Rio 2016, and Commonwealth Games in Australia 2018… The journey continues!

Ironman

I have helped Tim Bishop go sub 9hrs (45 - 49) and both he and Paul Burton have enjoyed numerous trips to Kona.  I have also helped a number of female athletes, Stephanie MacLean, Edwina Sutton, and Karen Axelsdottir (sub 9.30) also compete at the Ironman World Championships.

I was fortunate enough to personally share a trip and race in Kona with Paul in 2016 after qualifying in South Africa. One of the key things to remember about Ironman racing, it’s not about the brand, it’s about the journey.

Our most recent trip to the big island (2022) was with Ollie Hewitt on his first visit to Kona and came home in a fantastic time 9.40. I will also have three fully coached and two swim-coached athletes going to 70.3 worlds in 2022.

Juniors

Since starting the junior section of the team I have helped a number of juniors either just get the best out of themselves or as in the case of Sophia Saller, Ellie Walton, Luke Penney & Anthony Haynes race at the highest level in Europe. Luke managed a junior European medal and Sophia went on to win the U23 World Championships. 

In 2018, three Optima Racing Team junior girls were selected for the English talent program; Freya Thomson (A squad), Alice Patterson & Izzy Atkins (B squad).  Both Freya & Izzy then went on to be selected for a Youth Olympic Games qualification race in Banyoles Spain.

London Regional Academy (Head coach)

In 2008 I helped British Triathlon set up the London Regional Academy and am still currently the head coach and enjoying helping youngsters across London develop their triathlon skills, engine, and mindset.

I have been coaching triathlon now since 1998 and have made coaching my vocation.  Find out more about my coaching philosophy here. 

My main long-term goal is...

‘To be 80+ years old with grey hair, coaching happy athletes!’

Author: The Triathlon Training Book

Education/ Experience

What do I bring to triathlon coaching?

Education/ courses:

• 2019 mPEAK UC San Diego (School of Medicine)

• M.Sc in Sports Science

• British Triathlon coaching courses (1 - 2 - 3)

• Physical Training Instructor (military L2 & 3)

• Dip Sports Psychology

• Dip Sports Therapy

• Dip Fitness Training

• 2018/ 19 UK-Coaching - coach development programme (1 year)

• 2001 Supertraining Prof Mel Siff (Denver Colorado)

Experience:

• Coaching triathlon to all abilities since 1998

• Coaching to the Olympic Games in 18 months

• Coaching to a Commonwealth Games medal

• Coaching juniors from beginners to World Class level

• Coaching age group athlete to go sub 9 hrs Ironman (40 - 44)

• 2016 personally Qualifying for Kona to race in the IM World Championships (not roll-down!)

• Competing at European and World level in triathlon (AG)

• 10 x Ironman races (including going sub 10hrs)

• Boxing & Boxing coaches (form 11 - 24 years old, civilian & military)

• Endurance, discipline and drive to keep going under adversity gained whilst serving in the military

• Being a complete novice at swim and bike when I started triathlon in 1996 and mastering each discipline (this gives me a true understanding of what it takes)

• Ongoing CPD with BTF courses/ reading & working with other coaches