testimonials
insights from the tribe
“We are truly grateful to our athletes for sharing their experiences with us. Their individual feedback highlights the impact of our coaching and the strength of the Laidlow Tribe community.
These personal testimonials highlight the variety of athletes we coach and diversity of people we have had the pleasure to work with. Each individual has different needs and constraints, from overcoming challenges to achieving personal bests, their words hopefully reflect the real-world results of our coaching philosophy.
Read on to see how our personalised approach has helped them on their triathlon journey”
Michelle
Arthur Horseau - France
IM Lanzarote Record Holder, Embrunman Record holder, 6th IM World Champs 2023.
“Fortunately, being good friends with Sam led me to become a member of the Laidlow tribe. My initial encounter with them was at a training camp in 2021, where I was deeply impressed by Rich’s commitment to enhancing others’ performance.
Before long, I attended a more formal training camp with them, and it immediately felt like a second home. Michelle graciously provided nourishing meals, while Richard consistently joined us for every training session. Since then, Richard has been my coach and mentor.
Today, I consider myself fortunate to belong to their community and am immensely grateful for their unwavering belief in my abilities from the outset!”
Aoife and Joe LYNCH - IRELAND
” My husband and I have been part of the Laidlow Tribe for the last 16 years, from starting out as decent age-groupers, becoming National Champions and now as mature athletes mixing triathlon around a busy lifestyle with our 2 young girls.
What sets the Laidlows style of coaching apart from others is their human centered approach or in other words they really care about their community and tribe! They get ‘life happens’ around being an athlete and support athletes through the good, the bad and the ugly. While Rich is very busy now coaching Sam and Arthur, he gets the balance right with his age -groupers and ensures they are challenged in their training programmes. “
Edwin DATSON - UK
” Rich has coached me for over a decade. It’s worth reflecting what’s stayed the same and what’s changed:
The constant has been high responsiveness, and a truly personal focus on creating training that fits with the reality of your own situation. Even though I’m not competing much these days and there is no possibility of my performances making an impact, there’s exactly the same effort put into the programme and on checking feedback. In the context of the changes at team Laidlow, this is remarkable and a testament to his character.
What’s changed has been the type of training and ideas tried. It’s usual for coaches to, understandably, stick to a programme that seems to work. Rich is constantly questioning his ideas, testing new theories, and pushing his thinking forward. His curiosity not only produces great work, it also makes the process itself far more interesting and rewarding in itself. “
Zack COOPER - UK
” Since joining the Laidlow Tribe back in 2021, I have seen continuous progression year on year. But more than that, the community led by Richard is tremendously supportive.
Commitment, communication and collaboration is what defines this group and I’m so grateful to be part of the Laidlow Tribe. “
Christian ANASTASI - MALTA
” I am 39 years old and I Joined Team Laidlow last September 2023.
I started Triathlon 4 years ago, my previous team being TriSutto. Since I joined Team Laidlow I saw a big improvement in my performance…my training changed regarding intensity and volume.
Richard Laidlow is very present and active with us, he gives us a lot of feedback and every time I need him he is always there to help me. That’s something that I found very helpful because It keeps me on the right track.
His training methods work and they really suit me. Thanks to this I have seen a lot of improvement.
Last but not least I need to mention how nice the Team Laidlow athletes are… I really enjoy training with them, for me now, they are my second family and they make every training session feel more fun! “
Emma COOKE - UK
“I started my triathlon coaching journey with the Laidlow’s just before Covid hit. Having a structured and progressive training program with a supportive community really helped in that difficult time. I’ve made some really big improvements over the past few years. Qualifying and racing the world championships in Kona was a goal I wasn’t sure I would achieve but with Richard’s guidance it was made possible.
Richard is a dedicated coach, serious about his work but also able to have a laugh. I have found the training a good balance between challenging and enjoyable…except maybe for the odd killer session here and there! It is great to see how the Laidlow tribe has developed and grown, even with recent successes it feels like their values have not changed and they are still passionate about building a community and helping people achieve their goals.”
Neil FALZON - MALTA
“I hopped into the Laidlow tribe two years back after my second knee surgery. Back then, I couldn’t walk and just stuck to swimming. Richard was there, building me up bit by bit, being super understanding and structured about how we progressed. Even when I was too eager, he slowed things down, making sure I got stronger in a steady way.
Easy to talk to, realistic plans for training. He’s always just a message away, and his support is top-notch. Excited to hit my goal this year!”
Eoin BARRY - SWITZERLAND
“It has been incredible to be part of the Laidlow Tribe these past 2 years. From distance and in camp, the ever-present support and encouragement has been an inspiration. I wouldn’t have accomplished the same without it.”
Nigel CAMILLERI - MALTA
“Team Laidlow – A holistic training approach.
This is my second year of training with coach Richard, but I’ve been in athletics for over 30 years. I can truly say that this is probably the first time that the training given by a coach is scientific and tailored towards my capacity as an individual. Richard sets up the sessions on a week by week basis and takes into account my physical and well as my psychological wellbeing based, based on the daily feedback which i would have given him.
Apart from the physical training, i’ve also had the unique opportunity to attend a training camp at the Laidlow’s family home. This was an opportunity to witness first hand the hospitality of this family, the lovely food and conversations with Michelle, who is ‘the fulcrum’ of the household. Also to train, listen and observe the life of a family working with and around a professional triathlete – Sam.
Another great experience was to listen and chat with Jake, as young aspiring athlete, who’s seems like someone who will certainly chase his dreams and one day be seen on the press for his sports achievements.
Richard’s coaching has been a catalyst for my positive experience in this sport, which serves to enrich both my overall physical and mental wellbeing.This intern helps me, use my energy to work with and help the people around me.”
Daragh CROWLEY - IRELAND
“My story started with the Laidlow Tribe three years ago – which was 7 years into my triathlon journey. I hadn’t accomplished anything of any real significance in those 7 years but since joining team Laidlow, I’ve achieved my ambition to run a sub 3 marathon in 2023, made the podium at an Ironman and qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona in 2024!
Thanks Richard :)”
Jon TOWNSEND - USA
“My swim and swim confidence have improved so much since working with Richard.
I used to hide behind a pull buoy or wetsuit and only looked at colder water races where I could wear the suit, now I swim so much better i have no fear to take on any race even without a wetsuit ! “
Roberto BRIFFA - MALTA
“I am a Maltese triathlete who has come into the sport three and a half years ago, relatively later on in life at 25 years. A few months after I came in contact with the sport, a friend of mine, knowing how seriously I take sports, suggested that I start with a professional triathlon coach. Richard Laidlow came very highly recommend from the triathlon world, especially as there was a group of Maltese triathletes training with him already. After an initial meeting he took me under his wing and I have not looked back since. With his patience, buckets of it and support, my triathlon experience changed into a lifestyle and the addiction is only getting stronger. Under his guidance I have gone to the World Championships in Abu Dhabi and a number of other international triathlon events.
With such a strong supportive team from the Laidlow TRIBE, one is able to enjoy triathlon at all levels, I know I will ;)”
Rouba FOSSAT - FRANCE
“I was looking for a serious coach to get qualified for the world championship in Taupo.
My triathlete friend from New Zealand, gave me 3 names, I contacted them all, Richard was the first to answer and accepted a call. I decided to give him a try for 3 months (they were the hardest 3 months in my life! ) but the training was so professional, I felt I was improving right away and was very motivated.
I felt that it was a team challenge, he was also very much involved ! he was always there when when I needed to understand, to adjust, really tailored training sessions.
I learned a lot about myself, and my limits ( sorry the limit is the sky !). We then renewed for another 3 months. I raced in Oman on the 17th feb, a month before I got sick, but didn’t listen to his advice and didn’t recover well ( I am older than him but he is wiser than me !) Finally I made it and got qualified, I followed his plan, I was so happy ! I am honoured to have him as a coach ! 2 sentences that reminds me of Richard :
“You will be fine” and “Good effort” 😉
Thank you Richard for being a great coach, I have already learned a lot from you ! “
Sean COLLIER - IRELAND
“In my life, I have met 4 different people at different times that made a junction and put me in a direction that was really positive.
We (me and Nichola, my wife) met the Laidlows 18 yrs ago, on our honeymoon. For both of us the meeting has been instrumental in providing a most positive chunk to our lives.
They are truly fantastic people.”
Lindsay BARLOW - UK
“I have been with Richard for a few years and have felt myself go from strength to strength. I was a novice Age Grouper when I joined him and under his fabulous coaching I managed to podium with a Bronze at the European Standard Triathlon and came 5th at the World’s last year. I’m in the 60-64 age group so he clearly caters for all ages! Really appreciate the fact that as a family man he fully understands when family/ work/ life gets in the way of training and he is fully supportive when you can’t get things done.”