Let me tell you a bit about Coach Michelle Wiens, owner of Performance High. However, a recent question from a long-time client about my triathlon racing background caught me by surprise. “Three years in and you never mentioned it?” she asked. It was a fair point. In fact, after all this time building relationships with clients, I realized I hadn’t shared much about my own journey to becoming a coach. So, to fill you in, here’s a bit about my path!
The Early Years
I was born in Zambia (yes, Africa!) & lived in Zambia & Botswana until I was 6 yrs old. At that point, we moved to Shafter, CA where my folks planted almonds. I spent my childhood on the farm riding horses, tending to cows & chickens & working summers in the almond orchard. I started playing piano at age 8, took up flute in Jr High, was a Jr Varsity cheerleader, 3rd Runner-Up in the Shafter High Jr Miss Pageant & swam 4 yrs of long distance freestyle (because I didn’t know any of the other strokes!) in high school.
Shafter was a tiny town (we had maybe 100 in my graduating class) & I desperately wanted to “get out”. For a major life change I went to Occidental College in Los Angeles. There, I spent my college years studying like I’d never studied before, heavy metal club-hopping, driving endless miles on LA freeways, swimming competitively & learning the basics of weight training by watching the “plate-heads” on Venice Muscle Beach.
Figuring Out A Career
1st Career – Newspapers
In 1990, after graduating with an English Major, I followed my college sweetheart & moved to Seattle, WA. My career goal was journalism. Naively, I took an administrative job in Advertising at a small newspaper called The Everett Herald thinking that, at some point, I could transition over to the newsroom. Little did I realize that a wall existed between the Ad Dept & the Newsroom – I was stuck in Advertising!
2nd Career – “DJ Robin Banks”
Frustrated that I couldn’t become a newspaper reporter I decided on a career change. I enrolled in “Radio DJ” night classes, picked out my radio name (Robin Banks…get it??!!) & got to work on my radio persona. This led to the 1st of 3 amazing internships I’ve had in my life. I became “Young Michelle”, assistant to Beau Roberts, one of Seattle’s most popular nighttime DJ’s on Seattle’s highest-rated Rock radio station, KXRX. This experience not only expanded my music knowledge, but also provided incredible opportunities like taking a limo to an AC/DC concert & going backstage to meet Angus Young & band! Pretty darn cool!
Wait…Back to Newspaper
However, despite the excitement, Robin Banks was not to be. I soon learned that in order to make it as a DJ I’d have to move to a very small market & put in my time. Not my priority. So, I decided to make the best of advertising sales & took an entry level job at The Seattle Times. Eventually, I found myself in… (you’ll never guess!)…(I still can’t believe I did this)…fast food sales! Frankly, I was terrible at it. My heart wasn’t in it, I disliked the industry & I truly believe(d) that no one ought to eat MORE fast food!
My Passions
Through all of these career twists & turns, there were three important things I did on the side:
- Instructing aerobics at a local gym.
- Volunteering as a weight room trainer at a small YMCA.
- Training myself for the relatively new sport of triathlon.
Little did I know, these experiences would eventually come together to form a new career path!
Triathlon
Triathlon quickly became my passion. I read everything available on how to design my training program. However, back then, the sport was young, and our knowledge limited. In our enthusiasm, we trained ridiculous hours…like single-sport athletes in all 3 sports! As a Tri Fed (the precursor to USA Triathlon [USAT]) member I raced 5 yrs in Olympic & Half distance races all the while looking to Ironman. Unfortunately, that dream was not to be. One day on a long bike ride my right knee began to hurt. It hurt badly enough that I couldn’t kick in the pool, couldn’t ride, couldn’t run. Many months, doctors, osteopaths & physical therapists later I came to accept that my triathlon racing days were over. It was once again time for a change.
This forced change, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. Coincidentally, my stint in fast food sales was also nearing its end. My lackluster performance prompted my boss to suggest a “more suitable position.” Taking this as a sign, I tendered my resignation. I took the next 6 months to regroup all the while working as a part-time aide at a physical therapy clinic. It was during this time that the door to my true calling opened – exploring the connection between training & performance!
Fueled by this newfound passion, I enrolled in night classes to brush up on the fundamentals – anatomy, human physiology, and even math (a subject I hadn’t thought about since college freshman year!). Following a family friend’s recommendation, I applied & was accepted into BSU’s Exercise Physiology Master’s program.
Moving to Boise
Moving to Boise in 1998, we initially planned to stay only for the 3 yrs it’d take to complete my Master’s. But life, as they say, has a way of derailing even the best-laid plans. During those three years, Microsoft’s meteoric rise in Seattle caused a domino effect, driving up prices and traffic. With my then-husband’s teaching salary, returning to Seattle simply wasn’t an option.
While pursuing my Master’s at Boise State, I found work as a personal trainer at the Downtown YMCA. There I designed & taught sports-specific conditioning classes for triathlon, distance running, mountain biking, and downhill skiing. This period also brought my second incredible internship – at the Olympic Training Center (OTC) in San Diego. For 4-1/2 mo’s in 2002, I worked alongside the Strength & Conditioning Coach creating & implementing conditioning programs for triathletes, marathoners (including Deena Kastor & Meb Keflezighi), sprint cyclists, kayakers, rowers, archers & track & field athletes. This was a dream-come-true! I mean, who doesn’t want to work with Olympians??!!
Olympic Training Center Internship
The OTC experience was pivotal in shaping my coaching philosophy. It instilled in me the most crucial principle: rest and recovery are the cornerstones of performance. NO amount of training can make you a better athlete if you haven’t dialed in your rest and recovery.
Witnessing this principle in action every day at the training center was a powerful lesson. The athletes followed a meticulous routine: morning workouts followed by a personalized breakfast, massage/cold bath/heat bath/physical therapy treatments, mental training sessions, lunch, afternoon workouts, weight training/plyometrics sessions at the gym, specially prepared dinners, and then straight to bed. Their days revolved around focused training followed by dedicated rest and recovery. That’s the formula for achieving peak performance!
Becoming “Coach Michelle Wiens”, the First Triathlon Coach in Boise
Returning to Boise after the OTC internship, I obtained my Level 1 USA Triathlon coaching license and decided to embark on a new venture – becoming “Coach Michelle Wiens”. In 2002, I launched Performance High, with the proud distinction of being the first triathlon coach in Boise! Since then, I’ve had the privilege of coaching a wide range of endurance athletes:
- Two professional mountain bikers (a 24-hour racer & a downhill racer)
- A nationally ranked XTERRA triathlon racer
- A competitive junior road cyclist
- Dozens of ultra-endurance runners, marathoners & IRONMAN athletes
- Too-many-to-count first-time runners & triathletes
- Adults with significant fear/anxiety in water
Since 2002, my journey hasn’t stopped. I’ve not only earned my Level 2 (Elite) USAT coaching license, but I also had the incredible opportunity to participate in my third amazing internship. This one took me all the way to Tiszaujvaros, Hungary, where I served as the USAT Assistant Coach for a World Cup event.
This particular triathlon race held immense significance. It was the last chance for US athletes to qualify for the prestigious 2008 Summer Olympics. The pressure was palpable, and the athletes were at their most focused and intense. Witnessing this level of competition firsthand – elite athletes at their peak, racing for a coveted Olympic team spot – was awe-inspiring, to say the least. The raw power and determination were truly electrifying! There’s nothing quite like feeling the wind whipped up by the cycling pack as they whizz by you in their swimsuits at top speed.
Coach Michelle Wiens
Looking back, it’s safe to say that we are all shaped by our experiences. My coaching style has been directly influenced by a combination of factors: the injury that ended my racing career, the invaluable time I spent working with elite athletes, and the countless hours I’ve dedicated to helping age-group athletes from all walks of life – all shapes, sizes, and personalities – achieve their personal goals.
I am truly blessed to work with each and every one of you! YOU are what makes my day, my week, my month, my year special. We are in this together, you and I. Thank YOU for trusting me with your fears, hopes, goals, and dreams!
Cheers,
Coach Michelle Wiens