Lesley Paterson

Lesley Paterson, is a 3-time world champion in off-road triathlon, an Ironman triathlon champion, a professional mountain biker, endurance coach and foul-mouthed Scotts lassie. Growing up in Scotland, Lesley was the only girl who played rugby in a club of 250 boys. When boobs appeared she was banned from playing with boys so she started competing in running and triathlon. Lesley went on to become a small-boobed national champion in cross country and an international triathlete. Throughout her 25 year endurance sport career, she’s been coached by some of the world’s best endurance minds in swimming, cycling, and running. Unfortunately, many endurance coaches she encountered were not coaches at all, they were training-prescription experts – usually exercise physiologists with no formal training in psychology or pedagogy, let alone the ‘bedside manner’ needed to understand and manage the psychological and emotional world of their athletes. Being continually told that she was not talented enough, that she was too small, too slow, too fat, too emotional, too disorganized, or just too mouthy to be competing at the top ranks of triathlon only cemented her resolve. Lesley’s athletic journey is one of passion, grit, toughness, and an unwavering ‘Braveheart’ spirit in facing fears, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people. Lesley uses her Bachelor’s degree in Drama and her Master’s degree in Acting to better understand the emotional journey of the athlete and the importance of creating the athlete character you wish to become.