Tim Van Berkel: Ten Years With Grant
Beyond the physical training, Grant had an enormous impact on how I understood the professional side of the sport.
Tim Van Berkel won Ironman Western Australia in 2008, came seventh at the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2014, then went on to win Ironman Cairns in 2016 and Ironman Australia in 2022. Grant coached him from his first years as a professional through to 2015.
In his words
I worked with Grant for ten years, and I can honestly say he played a huge role in shaping the athlete I became. He came on board when I had just turned professional and guided me as I developed into a world-class athlete, culminating in my first top-10 finish at the Ironman World Championship.
Beyond the physical training, Grant had an enormous impact on how I understood the professional side of the sport. He helped me develop the mindset to compete at the highest level, to manage the pressure of professional racing and to get the best out of myself when it mattered most.
His knowledge, his experience and his feel for what makes an athlete tick are exceptional. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for our ten years together and for the impact he had, not only on my career but on me as an athlete and as a person.
I’d highly recommend Grant to any athlete looking to take their performance and career to the next level.
Grant Giles coaches a small number of athletes one-to-one, writes this newsletter from Brunswick Heads, and hosts The Roaring Heads. If this piece resonated, a letter in the post every couple of weeks is the best way to keep in touch.