About
I've been both a competitive runner and swimmer since I was about 10. Currently, I am 19 and I run cross country for my college. I am no longer a competitive swimmer, I am an LA city lifeguard going on my third summer.
Running accomplishments
1.) Finished 9th at cross country nationals in 2008
2.) Captain of high school team two school years in a row (2014-2016)
3.) Led team to cross country state championship meet two seasons in a row(2014 & 2015)
4.) My first and second year of college cross country the team made it to nationals and I am on the varsity squad.
My favorite thing about teaching swimming and running is when my students finally have a breakthrough in the understanding of form or speed, and as a result, I can see the excitement in their face and their body language. It is that excitement that I love to watch.
Highlights
Reviews
Mary K.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The process for all new students is the same 4 step process regardless of level.
1.) Introductions - In the first step we exchange names, age, and history of involvement with the sport.
2.) Important questions- How in shape are you? (times for different events) What is your self-perceived form performance? (How is your form)
3.) Check answers- In this step, I check to see how accurate the answers given in the previous step are; by running/swimming various time trials and form drills.
4.) Sit down and devise a progression plan- In this step, I'll tell the student where I believe they are and then together we will devise a realistic training plan to achieve the desired skill level.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been both running and swimming competitively since I was 10. I no longer swim competitively, however, I am an LA City lifeguard going on my third summer. The duties of an LA City lifeguard are lifeguarding, coaching, and teaching lessons. Currently, I run competitively for my university, so I am still very involved in the running world and know many exercises for injury prevention and strength and conditioning.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Customer drives to me- $15 per hour
I drive to customer- $20 per hour
Prices negotiable
How did you get started teaching?
My first introduction to teaching was being a captain of my high school cross country team when my teammates would ask me different questions about form and exercises and I would teach them or give them advice. However, I really started teaching when I got my lifeguard job and started teaching novice swimming lessons, then my second summer as a lifeguard I became a swim and synchronized swim coach.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all kinds of students. As a lifeguard, I teach both child and adult lessons. My first summer as a lifeguard I was the instructor for the adaptive swimming class, which is the class for anyone with a disability. If you are interested in getting adaptive lessons for swimming please let me know beforehand so I can come prepared for that particular disability.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I think the biggest piece of advice I wish I would have gotten would be to talk to multiple coaches before deciding. Nothing is worse than dealing with a coach that does not teach the way that the student learns. Talk to multiple people and whoever feels like they match up with you the best then that's who you chose.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Where am I in terms of skill currently?
Where do I want to be in terms of skill by the end of these lessons?
Were you already where you want to be or are you striving for new heights? (Are you trying to get better or get back?)