This post is about me, the person behind Imbery Sports Performance Coaching. I will tell you about my sporting background and story of becoming an athlete, my general experience on that journey and much more. Eventually, I will focus more on how I got into performance coaching and will also talk about my mentors and the people who have helped me along the way so far.
When did I start doing endurance sports?
I began competing in road and track cycling in 2012 at the age of fourteen after joining a local cycling club. My passion for the sport grew steadily as I improved my skills and rode with like-minded individuals. I still remember my first ever race on a cold and rainy Sunday near my hometown. Since then, I have competed in numerous cycling races across Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, captivated by the intensity and joy of training rides and racing.
What have been my first bigger races?
A few years later, in 2015, after successfully competing in smaller races in my home state and across Germany, I found myself at the start line of the highest level of cycling competition for junior and U23 cyclists in Germany: the Radbundesliga. Riding for Team Sportforum I gained experience all over the country and competed in various Dutch and Belgian races with riders such as Ide Schelling, Mikkel Bjerg, Brandon McNulty, Florian Stork, Max Kanter and Bjorg Lambrecht (†). I have also raced in several German road and track championships.
What have been my best experiences in cycling?
One of my most rewarding experiences in competitive cycling has been the progress I've made through structured training and continuous work. This has allowed me to push my body to its limits, resulting in my achievement of German vice champion in team pursuit on the track in 2016, as well as reaching many more finals in German championships and achieving top results in international cycling races over the years. In addition, I was fortunate enough to learn how to handle failure, meet a variety of individuals, and visit places I may not have otherwise travelled to.
When did I step over to triathlon?
While recovering from a knee injury in 2019, I had to swim for rehabilitation. During this time, I learned how to swim freestyle because my doctor did not allow me to do breaststroke kicks. The idea of participating in a triathlon came to my mind during these swimming sessions, as I was looking for a new challenge therefore, I joined the Kölner Triathlon Team (KTT01) (to learn how to run 😜), one of the biggest triathlon clubs in Germany. In 2020, I participated in my first ever triathlon after several months of delay due to COVID-19. Since then, I have competed in multiple short and Olympic distance triathlon races, up to the third highest division in Germany and the second highest in the Netherlands.
What did I learn from triathlon?
Doing triathlon, I have learned to use my physical and mental strength effectively by applying them at the appropriate time. Sometimes, pushing too hard for just a few seconds may not be worth it, as it could lead to losing more time later. I have also learned to remain calm and stick to my own routine in hectic situations, such as the transition to cycling or running. Becoming flustered while your competitors are already running from the transition leads to even more stress. These skills are also applicable to my everyday life as a coach and student.
If you are interested into getting to know me better, follow me on my Instagram to stay tuned.