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I primarily worked with Coach Bill to prepare for my first half Ironman. Not only did he have a meticulous training plan to build my fitness, but he also supported me in understanding how to fuel and hydrate properly, and to mentally prepare for the challenge of being isolated during a long race. Going into training, I had virtually no knowledge of how to prepare for a 5+ hour race, to the extent that I had barely touched a gel in my life, and had never paid attention to heart rate. He taught me how to navigate that world, and gave me the resources to learn.

Coach Bill is also a very practical coach, and understands that life comes first. When something came up, he would help me adjust and find the right balance. For a busy person trying to fit in a demanding training block in between work and other obligations, this kind of approach is necessary.

Finally, Coach Bill is someone who builds community and finds joy in bringing people together, which was such a blessing when I was training because I quickly realized an Ironman training block is something you don’t want to do alone. I loved being part of the group rides and swims he would coordinate between his athletes. Despite all having different races and plans, we could still encourage each other on the carpools to our 40+ mile bike rides or when grabbing coffee after the sunrise swims. I consider this part of my experience working with Coach Bill to be especially important to my success of completing my first 70.3.

I signed on with Bill having never run so much as a half marathon, asking if he could get me to a half Ironman by the end of summer. Over two seasons he coached me through two half Ironmans and my first full; Ironman Mont-Tremblant, which I finished in 11 hours and 15 minutes. Along the way I ran a 3:20 marathon in training.

Bill’s real edge is preparation. What sets him apart is how much accumulated knowledge he puts in your hands beyond the daily workout plans: one-on-ones, packing checklists, where to find bikes and wetsuits, where and who to train with, nutrition and race-weekend routines. Nothing is left for you to figure out alone.

But my favorite example is small. Swimming was my weakest discipline, and my swim pace had plateaued all through training. Before the race, Bill told me to find someone slightly faster and keep reaching for their toes. Drafting off them the whole swim. I came out of the water at Mont-Tremblant in 1:11, faster than I ever expected to swim 2.4 miles. That’s Bill: the right advice, at the right moment, that changes your race.

When I first met Coach Bill, I was just getting into endurance sports and training for my first marathon. Somewhere along the way, he planted the idea that I could do an IRONMAN, something I’m not sure I ever would have considered on my own. That conversation ultimately changed the direction of my athletic life.

Bill coached me for over 5 years. During that time, I completed two full IRONMANs and five IRONMAN 70.3 races. He obviously played a major role in preparing me physically for those races, but what made his coaching especially valuable was that it went far beyond workouts, mileage, and training plans.

Bill helped me work through the psychological and emotional challenges that come with taking on something as demanding as an IRONMAN. Early on, one of my biggest hurdles was a genuine fear of open-water swimming. He helped me work through that fear and build the confidence I needed to eventually line up for races knowing I was prepared.

That was one of Bill’s greatest strengths as a coach. His goal wasn’t simply to get me fit enough to finish an IRONMAN. He helped me arrive at the starting line confident physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

Bill is also incredibly organized and process-oriented. He created detailed race-week plans, packing lists, checklists, and preparation tools that removed much of the uncertainty and stress that can come with race week. I still use many of those same checklists today, years after he first gave them to me.

Looking back, the fact that I went from training for my first marathon to completing multiple IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races says a lot about the impact Bill had on me as an athlete. He didn’t just coach me for races; he helped introduce me to a sport that became a major part of my life and helped me accomplish things I once would have never imagined pursuing.

I would recommend Coach Bill to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, organized, and genuinely invested coach who can help them not only train for an IRONMAN, but develop the confidence and preparation needed to become one.

I was introduced to Coach Bill Best through a triathlete friend who had worked with Bill for his first half and full-distance races. After experiencing Bill’s coaching firsthand, I quickly understood why he came so highly recommended.

Bill did an amazing job coaching me through my first full-distance Ironman. He designed a training plan that was perfectly tailored to my goals, while also coaching me on nutrition, swim technique, bike power management, running drills, and all the other details that make such a demanding race achievable.

What impressed me most was Bill’s ability to adapt. My work involves a heavy travel schedule and demanding workload, yet he was always able to adjust the plan around my commitments without losing sight of the bigger goal. And he did all of this while we were literally half a world apart, working across different time zones.

Bill is always friendly and encouraging, but he also knows when to be firm and push you when you need it. He got me to the start line feeling physically prepared, mentally confident, and ready to take on the challenge of becoming an Ironman.

Beyond being an exceptional coach, Bill is a great friend, a compassionate listener, and someone with an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach for my first Ironman. He truly is the BEST!

Coach Bill was instrumental in helping me complete 70.3 and 140.6 distance Ironman triathlons. He built detailed, personalised training plans, balanced hard training with smart injury prevention, and made sure I knew exactly what to expect on race day.

He also gave me mental and moral support when training almost got the best of me. Thanks to him, I finished both races strong and have since been healthier for it.

I worked with Bill while training for multiple IRONMAN 70.3 races, and for IRONMAN Wisconsin. Completing an IRONMAN was a tremendous challenge, and I honestly don’t believe I would have been able to cross that finish line without Bill’s coaching, guidance and support.

What makes Bill such a fantastic coach is that he meets athletes where they are. Whether you are new to triathlon, preparing for your first 70.3, or working toward an IRONMAN, he takes the time to understand your abilities, your goals and your individual needs — and gives you the confidence to push yourself and accomplish things you may not have thought possible.

Bill and I started working together in 2018, and little did I know I was in for a life-changing experience. At the time I had no triathlon background and a good amount of time on my hands, and the improvement we saw was exponential.

When I became deeply involved, Bill emphasised the idea of quality over quantity, and through ups and downs I truly began to understand it. Not only did my fitness improve, I also learned so much more about nutrition and fuelling strategies during a race.

Bill also helped me loads when it came to deciding what equipment I needed to buy, given whatever budget I had at the time. Everything we decided on together was a worthy investment that I used for many years afterward.

After completing ten 70.3s and two Ironman races — and many more local races — I consider myself lucky and thankful to have met this wonderful person, whom I genuinely look up to. We developed a lifelong bond; even though we are continents apart, he really made me feel like part of his family.