Episode 28: The Landscape of Endurance Sports Training with Guest Jeff Pierce, CEO of CTS

Jeff Pierce is a former professional cyclist and the current CEO of Carmichael Training Systems (CTS). In Jeff’s distinguished cycling career, he rode for team 7-11, the first American to ride the Tour De France and in 1987, Jeff became just the third American to win a stage of the Tour De France on the final stage on the Champs-Elysees. 
 
 In his current role as CEO of CTS, Jeff is responsible for the overall operations and direction of CTS. In this episode, host Rick Prince chats with Jeff about the coaching landscape and how it has evolved over the years – as well as where it is heading. 

Questions covered in this episode include:

1.       Please tell our listeners about your sport background as well as your career post being a pro cyclist

2.       What was the coaching landscape like while you were racing professionally?

3.       How has training technology changed the coaching profession over the years?

4.       What are some of the main reasons that athletes hire coaches at CTS?

5.       What do you think the increase in demand of qualified coaches is due to?

6.       Are there any significant trends that you see in the coaching landscape at CTS?

7.       To be a successful coach, what are some of key qualities that athletes are looking for, as well as you as the head of CTS?

8.       What are some current challenges that the coaching profession faces?

9.       Where to you see the coaching profession in 5-10 years with respect to its evolution?

Lastly, as CTS is largely one of the first to legitimize the profession of endurance sports coaching, what do you attribute its longevity to?