ABOUT James
Racing/ testing yourself has to be fun!
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.
Being selected to represent the Army Boxing Team in 1991/ 2 was a very proud moment in my boxing career. Being around some very talented athletes really upped my game.
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).
Joining the 1st Bat Queens Regiment in 1989 and then amalgamating to the 2nd Bat Princess of Wales Royal Regiment... some of the best times of my life, where you really find out about endurance!
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!).
Joining Thames Turbo in 1996 was a great triathlon learning curve. Training alongside some of the finest athletes in the world (I was in the bottom lane, while they where in the top!). With Tim Don going on to become World Champion and Stuart Hayes helping the Brownlees at the 2012 Olympics
Triathlon journey…
Optima Racing Team
In 2000, I founded Optima Racing Team; We were just a small group of friends who trained and raced together, 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.
In 25 years Optima Racing Team has raced around the globe many times and had lots of amazing people through the doors. We have had World-class performances from both the elites & age groupers, but more importantly, many long-term friendships were built.
Join Optima Racing Team
A group of like-minded individuals within a team environment.
Olympic Games
In 2012 I coached Gillian Sanders to her first Olympic Games in 2012. I have gone on to help Gillian to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2014, a number of top 5’s in WTS racing, her 2nd Olympic Games in Rio 2016, and Commonwealth Games in Australia 2018. She finished her amazing elite racing career at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and is now dedicating herself to being the best mum she can be!
You learn so much about yourself when you coach at the highest level in sport, you push the athlete to optimal performance, but the athlete also pushes to coach to be their best. Most importantly, Gillian and I will remain close friends for the rest of our lives
Gillian went from a full-time lawyer to the start line of the London 2012 Olympics in just 18 months (19th)
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.
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. Recently (2024), I have helped Betsy Griffiths gain GB representative honors, also with selection onto ENG. This leaves me as the only coach in London to have coached juniors to represent GB since 2008.
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 since 1999, I’m still learning and loving coaching & racing in this sport.
Find out more about my coaching philosophy here.
My main long-term goal...
‘To be 80+ years old with grey hair, coaching happy athletes!’
Author: The Triathlon Training Book
The Triathlon Training book, is designed to be a functional training aid, it also has some great features on;
Training for all triathlon distance
Common triathlon type injuries
Pre-hab sessions (using a foam roller etc)
Tapering
Race preparation
How to fuel for performance
Warming up & cooling down (FLUSHING) & why
Common complaints & how to deal with them
Goal setting & other psychological tools
Enjoy the read!