More than 215 participants from across the military community came together May 18–21 for the Soldiers to Sidelines (STS) Endurance Performance Virtual Coaching Certification Seminar, a four-night experience designed to develop stronger coaches, athletes, and leaders. Powered by Vehicles for Veterans and presented in partnership with Spartan, the seminar brought together industry experts, elite athletes, coaches, and thought leaders to explore the physical, mental, and human elements of endurance performance.
The week began with STS Founder and CEO Harrison Bernstein welcoming attendees and introducing the organization’s coaching philosophy through the Inverted Pyramid of Coaching Success. Harrison emphasized that great coaching starts with inspiration, creating a foundation that motivates athletes to pursue excellence long after a practice or competition ends. Throughout the seminar, participants were encouraged to think beyond training plans and performance metrics and instead focus on the relationships, trust, and purpose that drive long-term success.
A recurring theme throughout the week was that endurance is about far more than physical capacity. Endurance Director Nate Palin challenged participants to think about endurance through the lenses of time, space, and capacity, while speakers explored how resilience, adaptability, and mindset influence performance. Dr. Allison Brager shared insights from her work as a neuroscientist and athlete, encouraging attendees to train their minds as intentionally as they train their bodies and reminding them that enjoyment and passion are often the key ingredients for sustainable performance. Kat Oswald expanded on this concept by discussing how motivation, attention, and intention shape athletic success and how coaches can create environments that improve cognitive performance and decision making under pressure.
Participants also gained practical tools they could immediately apply with athletes. Noel Brand reflected on his journey from aspiring endurance athlete to Ironman finisher, highlighting the importance of preparation, coachability, and support systems. Giovani Urrutia delivered an in-depth look at strength training for endurance athletes, emphasizing movement quality, injury prevention, and performance optimization. Registered dietitian Heidi Brackebusch provided actionable nutrition strategies for fueling performance,
recovery, and long-term health, while Tex challenged coaches to rethink conditioning by focusing on athlete motivation, gamification, and creating meaningful training experiences that build both physical and mental toughness.
The seminar also explored the deeper human side of endurance. Benjamin Sims spoke about the power of storytelling, social connection, and resilience, encouraging coaches to help athletes understand and embrace their own journeys. Christian Bisato shared his inspiring story of transformation through Spartan racing and discussed how adversity can become a catalyst for growth when approached with the right mindset. Together, these conversations reinforced that endurance is not simply about enduring hardship, but about developing the habits, relationships, and perspective needed to thrive through challenges.
By the end of the week, attendees had engaged with experts from a wide range of disciplines while connecting with fellow participants who share a passion for leadership and coaching. More importantly, they left with a stronger understanding that effective coaching extends far beyond physical training. It requires empathy, communication, lifelong learning, and a commitment to helping others discover what drives them forward.
As STS continues its mission of helping service members, veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star families transition into coaching, the Endurance Performance Virtual Coaching Certification Seminar served as another powerful reminder that the lessons learned through endurance, leadership, and service have the ability to impact athletes, teams, and communities for years to come.
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