September 22-30, 2018 is National Coaches Week, a time to celebrate the tremendous positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This week is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play by simply saying #ThanksCoach. You can follow all of the National Coaches Week social media action on Facebook and Twitter using hashtags #CoachesWeek and #ThanksCoach.
Cycling BC would like to say #ThanksCoach to all the coaches out there for playing a crucial role in building a healthy and active community.
We will be posting a series of coach profiles on our website throughout National Coaches Week, September 22-30, and have asked athletes to take this opportunity to say “thanks” to their coaches.
Our #ThanksCoach spotlight today is on Barry Lyster contributed by none other than Maggie Coles-Lyster of the Macogep-Argon18-Girondins p/b Mazda Cycling Team.
#ThanksCoach Profile: Barry Lyster
What does your coach do that makes him/her a great coach?
My coach, Barry Lyster, is amazing because he listens to me as an athlete. We check in every day to talk about the session and see how I’m feeling. I have a set training plan but he’s open to editing it based on my needs and what would be most beneficial to reaching my goals. Training under his program never gets boring! He finds fun/hard/unique ways to mix up training sessions – such as sometimes training without power, just by feel, or that one time I did starts on my cross bike towing a trailer full of wood!
What lesson(s) has your coach instilled in you?
My coach has taught me that no goal is too big. If you don’t believe that you can win a race (even if it’s so unlikely and everyone thinks you’re crazy!) then you have absolutely no chance of winning it. I’m in this sport because I love riding my bike but I adore racing and winning. Believing in myself, speaking up about what I need, and trusting the process are all lessons that my coach has drilled into me and I truly believe those are 3 very important lessons that have gone towards making me successful – along with the lesson that as soon as you choose to not finish a race, it becomes easier to do this. I’m not allowed to not finish a race unless physically incapable to do so, end of story. 😉
What is something that reminds you of your coach?
Birds. Whenever I see a bird, I’m reminded of him. More specifically, the workout he gives me, with the instruction to sprint every time I see a bird and where I live, there are many flocks of birds…so in other words, one of the most painful workouts of my life.
If you had to pick a karaoke song to describe your coach what would it be? Why?
Any song out there! Fun fact: when he was in his 20s, my coach was the lead singer in a few rock bands that played in bars around the lower mainland! He knows every word to every song and is never ever off key. Just put on a song with him around sometime; you’ll see what I mean. 😀
Why do you want to say “thanks, coach”?
As you probably know or have come to realize, my coach is actually my dad! I want to say the biggest thank you ever for doing such an amazing job balancing both roles. Being able to switch roles so seamlessly as well as working with me and with whatever I decide to do, whatever goals I set my heart on and for being my biggest supporter and believer. Thanks for making me believe in myself!
#ThanksCoach
With events held across the country to celebrate coaching, National Coaches Week provides coaches with the recognition they deserve for the time they devote to ensuring Canadians live an active, healthy lifestyle.
Stay up to date with everything happening leading up to National Coaches Week by visiting www.coach.ca/nationalcoachesweek and by following along on Facebook and Twitter using #CoachesWeek and #ThanksCoach.
For more information on coaching and how to become a cycling coach, please go to our Coaching Resources or check out the events calendar for upcoming coaching courses in your area.
Cycling BC will be holding an NCCP Let’s Ride! Community Initiation coaching course on Saturday, October 20, 2018 for everything you need to start coaching. Register now to reserve your spot.
