10: The Impact of Scientific Knowledge on Coaching
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Release Date: 02/14/2016
The Top 20 Rules for Faster Triathlon Swimming
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Joel Filliol revisits the purpose of the Real Coaching Podcast and the Substack long-form series with accompanying episodes focused on simplifying endurance training into “world class basics.” In this episode he expands on his 2012 article “Top 20 Swim Rules for Faster Triathlon Swimming,” arguing that conditioning and frequency drive improvement more than traditional drills, and that athletes should build swim-specific fitness to hold technique, complete longer main sets, and handle higher stroke rates for open-water conditions. He discusses when to include quality, why not to...
info_outline
Risk and Reward
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
The Mental Edge in Triathlon: Risk, Confidence, and Leaving One Rep in the Bank Joel Filliol introduces the Real Coaching Podcast, his background coaching elite triathletes, and the origin of “Real Coaching”. Inspired by Jan Frodeno’s Going Mental interview with Alistair Brownlee, Filliol reflects on the mental side of performance, distinguishing competition confidence and assertiveness from training decision-making. He recalls Brownlee’s dominant 2010 Madrid win after a stress fracture and his London collapse and heat stroke, highlighting both strengths and risks of pushing limits....
info_outline
Zone 1 is where the magic happens
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Slowing Down to Go Faster: In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol, an international triathlon coach, delves into the significance of Zone 1 training. Contrasting the popular high-intensity training methods, Joel argues that consistent, low-intensity work over time is crucial for long-term athletic performance and talent development. He discusses the common training errors, particularly the tendency to perform low-intensity work too fast, and emphasizes the importance of managing intensity to allow for a greater accumulation of volume. Joel also explores the misconceptions...
info_outline
Progression: A powerful training heuristic
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Progression: A powerful training heuristic In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol, an international coach based in the UK and Spain, dives into the concept of progression as a training heuristic. Reflecting on the lessons from his substack article 'Don't Be a January Champion,' he discusses the importance of timing and avoiding the common pitfall of too much intensity too soon. Joel emphasizes building a robust database of experiences to create valuable knowledge that can be applied across various contexts. He also explains the benefits of progressive training sessions that...
info_outline
Don't be a January Champion
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Avoiding the January Champion Trap: Insights on Season Planning and Performance Longevity In this episode of the 'Real Coaching Podcast,' Joe Filliol, an experienced international coach, delves into the concept of effective periodization and the pitfalls of peaking too early in the season. Drawing on his extensive coaching background across multiple countries and elite athletes, Joe discusses the importance of finding the right training load at the right time to ensure peak performance when it truly matters. He reflects on the dangers of early high-intensity training and how it can compromise...
info_outline
Championship Reflections in Triathlon
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
Championship Reflections in Triathlon: Common Errors and Key Insights In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, high-performance coach Joel Filliol reflects on common errors and key insights from championship performances in triathlon throughout 2025. Joel discusses the importance of managing training loads, avoiding early peaks, and respecting environmental conditions and travel. He also dives into the dynamics of race preparation, travel impacts, psychological and physiological considerations, and tapering strategies. Joel highlights specific races such as Wollongong and Kona, and...
info_outline
Optimising Bike Fitting and Aerodynamics with Matt Bottrill
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol welcomes Matt Bottrill from Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching. The discussion delves into Bottrill's extensive expertise in bike fitting, aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing, and optimising performance for world-class triathletes and cyclists. Topics include the process of refining bike positions, myths and trends in bike fitting, the importance of shoe design, short cranks, saddles, and helmets. Bottrill also shares his experience working with high-profile athletes like Vincent Luis and provides insights into practical drills for...
info_outline
Coaching Cassandre Beaugrand to Olympic Gold: Insights from Gavin Smith
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
In this episode of The Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol speaks with Gavin Smith, Head Coach of the Loughborough University Triathlon Program, about his experience coaching Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand to a gold medal at the Paris Games. They delve into the preparation, challenges, and strategies that led to her historic victory. The discussion also explores the dynamics of building trust, managing a high-performance environment, and fostering lasting legacies in triathlon programs. Additionally, they touch on the role of support staff, training partners, and the evolving nature of...
info_outline
Coaching Paris medallist Leo Bergere: Inside Fabio Rastelli's process
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol speaks with Italian coach Fabio Rastelli about his coaching experiences with his Turbo Tribe Squad, including French Olympians in Paris 2024, Leo Bergere, the Bronze medallist, and Leonie Periault. Fabio discusses the origins and success of his squad, the balance between individual and group training, and the nuances of managing athletes for both short and middle-distance events. He reflects on the challenges faced during the Paris Olympics, the importance of maintaining stability in a training system, and the dynamics of the...
info_outline
Katie Zaferes: From World Champion to Coach - Building the AUXO Collective
Real Coaching with Joel Filliol
In this episode of the Real Coaching Podcast, Joel Filliol is joined by Katie Zaferes, former World Triathlon Champion and double Olympic medallist turned coach. The discussion delves into Katie's transition from being a world-class athlete to embarking on a coaching career. They explore Katie's reflection on her experiences, the inception of her new project ‘AUXO Collective' based in North Carolina, and her vision of creating a supportive and growth-oriented training environment for athletes. Katie shares her coaching philosophy emphasizing simplicity, sustainability, and fostering...
info_outlineJoel and Paulo debate discuss how scientific knowledge directly impacts on current training methods with our athletes, including what are scientific certainties, practical implications of research, and specific methods including strength training, plyometrics, massage & physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories, fasted training and HRV monitoring.