Coaching

Holli's Background

ATHLETICS
I've been an athlete from the start and my drive for competition started around the same time I began walking.  I grew up in the youth soccer world, eventually playing with the Michigan Hawks in the Midwest Regional League and for the Michigan Olympic Development Program team.  My teen years were filled with hard work, travel and dedication to see my goal of playing Div. I college soccer become a reality.  It was my 4 years while at Georgia  Southern that I began to develop a passion for fitness, nutrition and physical well-being.

I had no clue that Georgia Southern University would also be the birthplace of my triathlon career.  Spring of my senior year came around and the inaugural GSU Sprint Tri was going to take place in February.  I borrowed a bike, went to the pool every morning and Googled whatever I could about triathlon.  Despite having horrible swim technique and not once completing a brick workout I finished as 2nd place female and became hooked on the sport.

I slowly worked my way through the triathlon distances racing sprint, olympic, 70.3, and 140.6 during the 3 years that followed.  I was self-coached throughout my first 4 years of triathlon.  I was able to land many age group podiums and a couple over-all podiums during this time.  In 2013 I took a step back after having completed my first Ironman in 2012 to refocus and figure out what I wanted out of the sport of triathlon.  It was during this year, still as a self-coached athlete, that I began to see potential of what I could do with more guidance and structure.

In 2014 I was selected to the DC Tri/Snapple Elite Team and also began working with a coach.  I PR'd every distance I raced in 2014 and learned more than I ever thought possible about racing, training, recovery, nutrition etc.  Adding a coach to my already determined, dedicated, and passionate personality has been exponentially beneficial.  In 2014 I finished 6th in my AG at IMLP and topped off the season with an AG Championship at Augusta 70.3.  I've continued working with my coach through 6 seasons with highlights including 2 KQs, multiple podiums, and a pro qualification. We'll tackle 2020 together as my first pro season. 

ACADEMICS
While at GSU I majored in Exercise Science and Kinesiology - graduating with honors and as my classes Outstanding Exercise Science major of the year.  I also minored in psychology focusing on the psychology of coaching and psychology of sport.  As a college athlete I was grateful for the opportunity to work with an awesome sport psychologist during my career and know just how valuable training the brain can be.

Upon graduating from GSU I started working towards my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at The George Washington University.  I graduated as a DPT in 2012 and have been working in outpatient sports medicine clinics in Washington, DC ever since.  It is this education that gives me a special ability to return athletes to sport after injury safely; complete swim stroke analysis, run gait analysis and bike analysis with my patients helping them race pain free and more efficiently.  I thoroughly enjoy connecting with my patients and working with them to assess impairments and deficits to improve performance.

Combining my passion for triathlon, competition and academic background as an exercise kinesiologist and Doctor of Physical Therapy I'm excited to now offer coaching services for all distances and all levels of triathletes.

COACHING
My triathlon coaching venture started at the beginning of 2015.  I had the opportunity to help 3 athletes accomplish some big goals, from first time Ironman finishers to breaking down time barriers.  As my knowledge and experience have grown I now have room to take on more athletes.  Please contact me at holli.finneren@gmail.com with 'Coaching' in the subject line to learn more about my services and see if we can meet your needs and exceed your goals!

I am in the process of starting an official coaching business, Vertex Performance, to better reach and serve endurance athletes of all ability levels.  If you struggle to maintain consistency due to injury, feel you'd benefit from structure or are just looking for guidance and direction coaching may be the right choice for you.  Please don't hesitate to reach out so we can discuss the benefits and details of coaching services.  I coach all athletes of all levels - beginner to elite and all distances - sprint to olympics including single sport athletes.

Please reach out to holli.finneren@gmail.com for coaching.