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Coaches

Founder and Head Coach Martha Szufnarowski (Age Group: 45-49!)

 I am a formerly deconditioned athlete (code: I was overweight and out-of-shape!).  I was convinced to do a triathlon by a crazy friend when I moved to Orange County, California 11 years ago. My first race was a mini triathlon on spin bikes and in a pool!! Since then, triathlon and multi-sports training has enriched my life tremendously. I know that focused, balanced training with a supportive team of women can enhance life beyond measure. I have done all distances of triathlon including Ironman and enjoy running races, swim meets, bike competitions and duathlons.  In addition to being an professional USAT triathlon coach and lifeguard, I am the founder and head coach of an adult swim program called Swim Velocity, group fitness instructor for indoor cycling and lift.  Most importantly, I am the CEO of my family which includes my husband and two daughters ages 14 and 16!  Contact Coach Martha at martha@trilavie.com 
 
Linda Kessman, Orange County CA, Triathlon & Run Coach

Linda Kessman is a life-long multi-sport enthusiast.  On her way to becoming a 3x Ironman finisher, she has competed in hundreds of races including marathons, ultra-marathons, trail race series and all distances of triathlons.  Linda often places in the top 10 of her races, and has countless podium finishes to her credit! She is an active member of the Orange County Triathlon Club and was honored with the Member of the Year Award along the way.  She has mentored numerous friends and others to the starting line of their first triathlon, ½ Ironman, Ironman, marathon, trail race and mud runs! She has also mentored many to the big blue ocean for the first time knowing first-hand the fear that can arise for taking this plunge. Linda enjoys the consistency, time management, enthusiasm, pride, great friends and training partners that triathlon training brings.  The variety of scenic places she has trained and raced have all greatly contributed to the personal success that has come to her since she has been an athlete. She will continue to take these attributes and experiences and share them with others as they aspire to take on the sport of triathlon. Linda@TLVcoach.com

Nadine Echeverry, Long Beach CA, Triathlon Coach

Nadine Echeverry found the elation of finishing her first marathon in 2004…and immediately was convinced that her lifestyle would forevermore be fitness and wellness.  Having a burning desire to qualify for the Boston Marathon, she signed up for her first reverse-triathlon to force herself to crosstrain with swim and bike…and after she registered remembered she didn’t know how to swim!  She quickly took private lessons and clinics, and became a regular at a swim club.  The crosstraining worked and she did qualify and run the Boston Marathon in 2011.  Along the way she also completed 15 marathons (including NY and Catalina), is a Legacy Runner for Disneyland Half, completed an Ultra 50k, a 24-hour relay, several triathlons, a 70.3 and most recently an Ironman 140.6.  She was voted Most Inspirational Runner and Runner of the Year in 2009 by the club she serves on the Board of AREC. Nadine’s love of multi-sport keeps her healthy and happy to multi-task with her family of 5 children and husband.  She believes it’s a priority to make time for training, and that the benefits overflow to all areas of her life making her more productive and fulfilled.  She is passionate about getting others to feel empowered, and believes anyone can achieve their goals, you just need to claim them! Nadine@TLVcoach.com

Diane Burgin, Long Beach CA, Run Coach

Diane Burgin has been involved in some sort of running/fitness for most of her life.  Running cross- country and track in high school and college led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education.  She worked in the Health Club industry for over 8 years post graduation and also taught special needs and coached Special Olympics.  At the age of 39 she ran her first marathon.  Since then she has completed over 45 marathons, including her favorite Boston five times, an Ultra, multiple half marathons and many 5 and 10 K races.  This year Diane completed an Ironman Triathlon.  Her passion for running has led her to become a Certified Running Coach with RRCA.  She has been a mentor for many of her peers and truly loves helping and encouraging others to set and meet their goals. Dianne@TLVcoach.com

Cherie Gruenfeld, Ironman Coach, All Locations

Planning an Ironman race in 2012? TriLaVie Ironman Coach Cherie Gruenfeld is one of the sports top coaches providing exceptional personal coaching. Cherie will craft a comprehensive training plan, provide unlimited follow-up via e-mail and phone, and keep you on target through life's little challenges. From Cherie, "Twenty-four Ironman races (17 at the World Championships in Kona) give me enough experience to understand the Critical Success Factors to doing a great IM. Fourteen IM wins (10 in Kona) give me the experience of knowing how to train to meet personal goals and, most importantly, how to take what you've got and do the very best with it."
cherie@cheriegruenfeld.com
Phone: (951) 314-4119 

Cherie is a distinguished triathlon coach and athlete.  Some of her accomplishments include:
Ten-time age group winner, Ironman World Championships, Kona, Hawaii
Fifteen Ironman Age Group Wins Worldwide
Author, “Become an Ironman”
Eight-time World #1-ranked Amateur Ironman Triathlete
2001, 2007 USA Triathlon Female Grandmaster of the Year
Multiple-time USAT All-American Team (#1 Rank)
Founder, Exceeding Expectation Foundation, bringing life success to youth through triathlon and sports. "Everyday Champion" featured on Wheaties Energy Crunch cereal box
Find the full list of Cherie’s accomplishments at www.cheriegruenfeld.com 

 
David Light, Orange County and Long Beach CA, Triathlon & Swim Coach 


David Light has competed in triathlons for over 20 years at the elite level. His coaching specialties for TriLaVie include pool swimming and open water swim clinics.  David works with athletes in the OC and Long Beach programs. He hails from Bristol, England as a former nationally ranked swimmer. David has been coaching for more than 10 years, specializing in triathlon training and personal coaching for men and women.  David can be contacted at David@TLVcoach.com  (949) 633-6114 or www.DavidLightFitness.com.



Courtney Alexander, Orange County CA, Swim Coach

Courtney Alexander coaches the adult swim programs at Swim Velocity and TriLaVie.  She provides lifeguard support and supervision at the open water swim clinics. Currently attending Cal State University Long Beach, Courtney is studying Kinesiology-Exercise Science, with a goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. She has worked as a Physical Therapy Aide at Prosport Physical Therapy for 7 years.

For the past 10 years Courtney has also been a Lifeguard Supervisor at Lake Mission Viejo and heading the Junior Lifeguard Program. Courtney has an impressive set of safety qualifications,  is  EMT certified, advanced CPR certified, CPR instructor certified, First Aid certified, USLA certified, Open Water certified, and Scuba certified.

Courtney's athletic experience includes: Junior Lifeguards for 8 years, College athlete apart of swim team for 2 years, High School/Club soccer player for 15 years, Cross Country and Track and Field athlete throughout High School. Courtney continues to be an active runner, has run 27 Marathons, thus far. Other activities and hobbies Courtney enjoys are Open Water Swims, Surfing, Traveling, Working on her '68 VW bug, Extreme Sports, Hiking, the Beach, Camping, and volunteering. Courtney@TLVcoach.com


Peter Riggs, Orange County CA, Swim & Run Coach

Peter is an experienced minimalist runner and swimmer who teaches good technique to encourage efficiency and injury prevention. Peter swam competitively in high school and in college. While earning his B.S. from Indiana University, Peter began coaching swimming for a masters swim team in 2006.

He is a certified Personal Trainer and swim coach at the Renaissance ClubSport in Aliso Viejo. Peter enjoys rock-climbing, camping, and dragon-boat paddling in the "off-season" while he's not training and racing triathlons. Pete@TLVcoach.com

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