Coaching Team
Meet our Coaches, Activators & Leaders
Lisa Llewellyn
British Triathlon Level 2 Diploma Coach. Level 2 Strength & Conditioning For Sport
Welcome to the MTRC website let me introduce myself. I am Lisa, a mum of 4 and I work part-time as a Veterinary nurse. I am also a strength and and conditioning and multisport coach.
MTRC has a very special place in my heart having been one of the founding members over a decade ago. I have seen the club progress and love seeing the success it is today. I am therefore extremely proud and honoured to be a club coach. I come from a sporting background having run as a teenager and played rugby at international level. I have raced at all distances of triathlon over the last 10 years including 2 ironman events. I still do race but my main focus is now very much on coaching and not competitively racing myself. I have coached various different sports at a variety of levels. My main strengths as a coach are that I am approachable, enthusiastic and motivational. I enjoy coaching athletes of all abilities. I do expect commitment from my athletes but I will always put a high emphasis on enjoyment too ! After all we do this sport for FUN ! I look forward to welcoming you at a club session soon.
Vikki Gibson
British Triathlon Level 2 Diploma Coach. Qualified Ironman Coach. Level 1 and 2 Fitness and Performance in Cycling. Level 1 and 2 Swim Teacher, 1st Class Honours Degree in Sport and Exercise Development and a PGCE with Distinction in Secondary Physical Education.
I am GB age grouper in Duathlon, Middle and Long-distance Triathlon. Alongside my qualifications I have been a fitness instructor for the last 12 years and have qualifications in indoor cycling (Spinning), Boxercise, Bootcamp, Les Mills Body Pump, Aqua fit and strength and conditioning fitness amongst others. As a teenager and into my early 20βs I was a runner, competing for the England team in international cross-country and track events. I was UK 800m Champion as an U20. As I got older, injuries, family and work commitments became an issue & I started cycling. One of my first challenges was riding LEJOG (Lands End to John O Groats. I soon became interested in triathlon but could not swim front crawl so it became a mission to do so in order to start my triathlon journey. Within 6 months I was competing in sprint triathlons and signing up to a full Iron distance, and within another year I had swam the English Channel as part of a 3-person relay. Iβm a big believer that any limiting factors can be overcome or dealt with if the desire is strong enough. Triathlon is a fabulous trio of sports that is very friendly and inclusive and never gets boring!
Vikki Gibson
British Triathlon Level 2 Diploma Coach. Qualified Ironman Coach. Level 1 and 2 Fitness and Performance in Cycling. Level 1 and 2 Swim Teacher, 1st Class Honours Degree in Sport and Exercise Development and a PGCE with Distinction in Secondary Physical Education.
I am GB age grouper in Duathlon, Middle and Long-distance Triathlon. Alongside my qualifications I have been a fitness instructor for the last 12 years and have qualifications in indoor cycling (Spinning), Boxercise, Bootcamp, Les Mills Body Pump, Aqua fit and strength and conditioning fitness amongst others. As a teenager and into my early 20βs I was a runner, competing for the England team in international cross-country and track events. I was UK 800m Champion as an U20. As I got older, injuries, family and work commitments became an issue & I started cycling. One of my first challenges was riding LEJOG (Lands End to John O Groats. I soon became interested in triathlon but could not swim front crawl so it became a mission to do so in order to start my triathlon journey. Within 6 months I was competing in sprint triathlons and signing up to a full Iron distance, and within another year I had swam the English Channel as part of a 3-person relay. Iβm a big believer that any limiting factors can be overcome or dealt with if the desire is strong enough. Triathlon is a fabulous trio of sports that is very friendly and inclusive and never gets boring!
Matt Cox
Level 2 England Athletics CIRF (Coach in Running Fitness)
Since 2019, I have been delivering and leading running sessions with Mendip TRC.
I am passionate about coaching all levels and aspects of running, although especially enjoy speed-work, hills and trail running. My background in running sports sessions to young people ensures thereβs always an element of fun and variety amongst the hard work. I got the βrunning bugβ ten years ago and have enjoyed the challenge of racing different distances and types of events. Some of my favourite personal achievements include winning the London Triathlon in 2017, a sub 10 Ironman and a podium place in the Ben Nevis Mountain Triathlon. I always lead with the fun aspect, I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment, the challenge, the hard-work and aspire to keep learning.
Claire Gray
British Triathlon Level 2 Coach
I did my first triathlon in 1986 and was hooked, it has been part of my life ever since.
Triathlon has taken me all over the world competing for Wales and Great Britain at elite level in World and European Championships as well as training with the national squad.
Highlights are National Sprint Distance Champion, Welsh Champion about 5 times, 2nd in National Middle Distance Championships (70.3). From many years experience in training and competing I have a lot of experience to share. I am keen to encourage anyone in their triathlon ventures whether they are just starting or stepping up. I still enjoy training and competing at a slower pace and enjoy being able to coach and be part of a great club.
Claire Gray
British Triathlon Level 2 Coach
I did my first triathlon in 1986 and was hooked, it has been part of my life ever since.
Triathlon has taken me all over the world competing for Wales and Great Britain at elite level in World and European Championships as well as training with the national squad.
Highlights are National Sprint Distance Champion, Welsh Champion about 5 times, 2nd in National Middle Distance Championships (70.3). From many years experience in training and competing I have a lot of experience to share. I am keen to encourage anyone in their triathlon ventures whether they are just starting or stepping up. I still enjoy training and competing at a slower pace and enjoy being able to coach and be part of a great club.
David Lem
England Athletics LIRF (Leader in Running Fitness)
My sporting background started in 2012 when I took part in the Three Peaks Challenge for charity, to train for this I began running and soon became hooked. I trained hard for my first 10k and then quickly moved on to complete multiple half marathons, marathons & ultra marathons. Triathlon was a natural progression & after completing my first sprint triathlon I signed up to Ironman Wales without being able to swim front crawl at the time, a year later in 2016 I completed it. Having taken to the sport late I love the grassroots aspect & seeing beginners join & push themselves to their limits. Many members who struggled with the basics years ago are now regulars on the marathon & Ironman scene and have never looked back. I am now Chairman of Mendip TRC & I am extremely proud of our inclusive, friendly & welcoming club. I look forward to progressing the club & assisting our great coaching team.
Emily Jacabs
British Triathlon Bike and Run Activator
I started out over weight and unfit using running to avoid the young kids at home & much needed headspace. I became happier & fitter the further I ran so naturally took up ultra marathons ranging in distance between 50 & 100k. That took itβs toll and I became injured so started breast stroke swimming in a local lake as part of a rehab programme. A friend joked I just needed a bike and I could do triathlon. Absolutely not was my response, but 9 months later a cheap bike was purchased, I joined the club and I was hooked & havenβt looked back. My passion is to encourage more beginners and athletes who thought they never could, or think they donβt fit the triathlon athlete mould weather thatβs looks & appearance or fitness level, we all have to start somewhere!
Emily Jacabs
British Triathlon Bike and Run Activator
I started out over weight and unfit using running to avoid the young kids at home & much needed headspace. I became happier & fitter the further I ran so naturally took up ultra marathons ranging in distance between 50 & 100k. That took itβs toll and I became injured so started breast stroke swimming in a local lake as part of a rehab programme. A friend joked I just needed a bike and I could do triathlon. Absolutely not was my response, but 9 months later a cheap bike was purchased, I joined the club and I was hooked & havenβt looked back. My passion is to encourage more beginners and athletes who thought they never could, or think they donβt fit the triathlon athlete mould weather thatβs looks & appearance or fitness level, we all have to start somewhere!
