Coach: Lewis Robling
Introduction & Bio
A little bit about me then.. my background was professional rugby. I played for 10 years at the highest level and had some incredible experiences playing on some of the most prestigious stages, on television and against some of the best players in the world.
I've gained and learned so much about resilience, discipline, teamwork, managing pressure, perspective all from that environment.
It's most probably why I've been able to adapt to this new world of ultra endurance sport as I have due to the physical and mental stressors I've been exposed to already.
I've always been someone that has got a 'kick', purpose and meaning from helping others. It served me on the rugby field, and it serves me now more than ever.
What I have gained from running though, is a sense of self awareness I never had the space to develop in that environment.
Running and endurance sport has completely transformed my life for the better.
Having the opportunity and privilege to be a coach, means I can help others develop their own unique sense of selves, where they write the rule book. They define success based on what is truly meaningful to them. It's challenging and rewarding all at once, and I really do love it.
Coaching Philosophy & Approach
My 'coaching philosophy' is centrered around a human approach to coaching.
I try to see the person as a whole, understand the bigger picture and work with them to not only perform as well as they can, but to use training and the space it creates to grow in all areas of life - be it physically, psychologically, emotionally or spiritually.
I know this is corny, but it's better understanding 'why' we are choosing to do what we do in the hope to better understand ourselves and who we really want to become.
That's where the magic is.
Specialities & Services
Over the few years in my coaching career I have completed numerous single stage and multistage ultramarathons all over the world, from the jungles of Sri Lanka, the Alps to the Wadi Rum desert.
I have also completed two 70.3 distance Ironman triathlons as one full distance Ironman.
I have worked successfully with athletes that have not only completed this kind of races but also first time ultras and marathons to boot.
My experience as a professional athlete means a high level of exposure to all kinds of training methodologies and strength and conditioning coaches too.
Coaching Focus Areas:
- Trail Running
- Ultra Marathon
- Multi Stage Ultramarathon
- Triathlon
- Strength Training
Testimonials & Success Story
'Mentally I think Lew's helped me get into and/or out of my head, initially dealing with coming back from injury and time off, then coming back training in such an unknown space for me was hard and having lost quite a bit of trust/belief in myself.
Lew made it easier to "trust the process" - he's super responsive, eager to see how each session has gone, meaning all of it feels like a team effort.
I also think Lew has well timed energy and positivity reminders of the positives or improvements really helped keep pushing forward.
What I wasn't expecting and have really enjoyed is all the reflection time, not only on training sessions and overall week, but also the exploring mindset, thoughts and behaviours.
I love how Lew challenges thinking and encourages vulnerability, Lew and this experience has led me into a more open space both internally and externally - which can only benefit me in life and with running!'
- Kelly Harrison
(Completed WhyWeRun 250km multistage ultramarathon, 2024)
Why I Coach?
The endurance space has taught me more about myself than I thought possible, and in such a short space of time too.
I struggled in lockdown after retiring from professional sport, it was all I knew and my identity was tied to it.
Running, and specifically ultrarunning, gave me this space to explore myself.
Only in the depths of this challenge however, after realising I was capable of so much more than I thought, did I learn that I couldn't keep running away from my mental health, no matter how hard I tried.
What followed was the real challenge in therapy, and in facing myself.
I reframed how I was to use running and sport to my advantage because I loved it, and it could be a tool rather than something to escape to.
I upskilled, learned, gained new experiences and my life changed as a result of the running and the therapy.
I owe what I do now to this space and I am committed to giving back to people in the way ultra and the people in this space gave to me.
