Defining the Coach–Athlete Relationship at Casaval Personal Training
Why Define the Relationship?
Individual Coaching from Casaval Personal Training is much more than a training plan and workouts—it’s a partnership. When expectations are clear, athletes get better results and the coaching experience is stronger on both sides. I value your time, wellness, and success so I want you to know exactly what to expect when you work with me.
Who I Coach
I train and coach mountaineers, backcountry skiers and riders, mountain runners, and hikers—athletes at all stages and abilities. Some are chasing goals like summiting Shasta or tackling multi-day ski traverses. Others are all-season adventurers who want to move faster, stronger, and safer in the outdoors. No matter your background, the common thread is a desire to build the strength and capacity to go further and faster in the mountains.
What Makes a Successful Casaval Athlete
A successful Casaval athlete comes in with an open mind and a willingness to trust the process. Odds are, this isn’t your first attempt at structured training—you’ve probably tried programs, read advice, or followed your own intuition for a while. But sometimes, those habits and biases can quietly hold you back.
When you come in ready to learn, to trust my guidance, and to let go of old assumptions, that’s when things start to click. The athletes who see the most progress are the ones who:
Commit: Show up consistently, even when time is tight. Consistency beats perfection every time.
Communicate: Share how workouts feel, what’s going on in life, and where things might be off. The more I know, the better I can help.
Implement the non-training work: Training is only a few hours of your week. The real gains happen when you also nail the habits—nutrition, sleep, recovery, and stress management.
Adapt: Stay flexible when life gets stressful. We adjust, not abandon.
Play the long game: The mountains reward patience. True performance is built season after season—not in a crash program or one-time push.
What I Bring as a Coach
My coaching draws from 20 years of mountain guiding experience and a strong foundation as a certified personal trainer. I hold multiple certifications in nutrition, running, and strength & conditioning—but those credentials are just part of the story. What truly sets me apart is my attention to detail, my passion for helping people get genuinely mountain-fit, and my obsession with the process of steady, sustainable progress.
When you work with me, you don’t have to worry about whether you’re doing the right workouts or if you’ll show up ready for your next big objective. I handle the planning, progression, and analysis so you can focus on showing up and doing the work.
The Alpine Adaptation Method: A structured, periodized approach that blends aerobic development and strength training through the Base → Build → Specific phases. This method ensures steady, measurable progress and preparation for real-world mountain demands.
Whole-athlete approach: Training is only one part of the system. Nutrition, recovery, and mindset are equally critical, and every Casaval athlete gets practical tools and guidance to improve in these areas from day one.
Risk management: Smart training beats hard training. Every workout is designed with progression, recovery, and long-term consistency in mind. My job is to keep you improving while minimizing the risk of injury, burnout, or overtraining.
High-touch support: You’re not training alone. I monitor workouts in TrainingPeaks, provide detailed feedback, and check in personally each week. We connect regularly through email, Zoom calls, and milestone reviews—ensuring your training stays aligned, effective, and motivating.
What’s Expected of the Athlete
Long-term success and big goals require real effort. The best athletes go beyond just completing the workouts—they stay engaged, reflective, and consistent. A little extra time spent checking in, reviewing data, and caring for the basics makes all the difference.
You can make meaningful progress in just three months if you’re intentional and consistent. Here’s what that looks like:
Track & reflect: Log every workout in TrainingPeaks. Spend two extra minutes correcting bad data, adding notes, and sharing how you felt. Your insights make the numbers meaningful.
Be open to change: Training should evolve. If you’ve stalled, feel flat, or keep getting hurt, we’ll shift the plan. Progress depends on being adaptable.
Prioritize recovery: Gains happen when you rest and refuel—not just when you train. Dialing in sleep, nutrition, and stress management lets your fitness actually stick.
Stay in touch: Communication is the backbone of good coaching. Ask questions, share wins, and flag issues early. I check in weekly with every athlete, and my door’s always open.
How Coaching Works at Casaval Personal Training
Sign-Up & Consult: Start by filling out the short form at casavalpt.com/athlete-sign-up. Once submitted, I’ll follow up within 24 hours. If you’d like to connect before committing, you can schedule a free consultation call. If it looks like we’re a strong fit, I’ll send an invitation to set up monthly payments and lock in your coaching spot.
Onboarding & Setup: Once you’re on board, I’ll send your Welcome Package, which includes an intake form, waiver, and the Casaval Athlete Training Guide. The intake form covers your health, training history, and goals—it only takes 10–15 minutes to complete. From there, I build your custom plan in TrainingPeaks. Your program will be live within 24 hours of receiving your completed form.
Programming, Monitoring, & Tracking: As you move through your workouts, TrainingPeaks automatically records and charts your progress. I review both your data and your notes to guide training adjustments week by week, progressing through Base, Build, or Specific phases.
Weekly Check-In: Every Monday, I send a short check-in email with a quick self-evaluation and a link to schedule a coaching call. A brief reply is always helpful, but you don’t have to respond unless there’s something notable to discuss.
Feedback & Communication Loop: You reflect and record in TrainingPeaks, email me updates or questions, and schedule calls as needed. I respond to all athlete emails within 48 hours—usually much sooner. This format lets me provide thoughtful, focused feedback that respects your effort and my attention to detail.
Your training plan stays fresh, evolving with your progress, feedback, and life schedule to keep you moving forward with clarity.
Final Word: A Partnership
At Casaval Personal Training, coaching is a collaboration. You bring the drive, I bring the system. Together, we’ll build the strength, resilience, and confidence to take on bigger mountain goals and enjoy stronger days in the alpine.