Undeterred, Henderson set about resurrecting the lab, which was stuffed with equipment, including a treadmill. “I remember the first time I ran it up to 18 kilometers an hour,” he says. “It was like, ‘Whoa, I’m sprinting!’”
As part of his studies, Henderson began coaching with the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, where he still coaches today. Among his early successes was working with a young man named Greg Bennett, who went on to become an ITU World Champion and multiple Olympic Games competitor.
“Greg was one of the first high-level athletes I worked with,” Henderson recalls. “And it was like, We’re doing some cool things here. We’re learning more about the sport.”
His passion for research remains strong, and he believes the future of triathlon will be shaped by data and technology. “Going forward, we will know more about how to individualize training based on what we know about the athlete,” he says.
Coaching Chelsea Sodaro and Ben Kanute
His latest coaching hires, Chelsea Sodaro and Ben Kanute, are part of this philosophy. Both Sodaro and Kanute have had successful careers, but Henderson believes there is still untapped potential waiting to be unlocked.
“It’s really exciting to work with athletes who are motivated, who are talented, and who have shown they can achieve at a high level,” he says. “But there’s still more there. There’s still more that they can do.”
For Sodaro, Henderson sees a future in Ironman racing, where her strong bike and run can make a big impact. And for Kanute, the focus is on developing his swim and run to match his already impressive bike skills.
“There’s always something you can work on,” Henderson says. “And that’s the exciting part of coaching.”
The endurance culture in Boulder
Reflecting on his long career in Boulder, Henderson is grateful for the endurance culture that has supported his coaching journey.
“Boulder has been a great place for me,” he says. “There’s always someone willing to try something new, push the boundaries, and see what’s possible. It’s a place where you can really test yourself and see what you’re capable of.”
And for Henderson, that spirit of testing limits and pushing boundaries is what keeps him motivated as a coach.
“Every day, I wake up excited to see what we can achieve,” he says. “There’s always something more to learn, something more to try. And that’s what makes coaching so rewarding.”
With athletes like Sodaro and Kanute under his wing, it’s clear that Neal Henderson’s coaching journey is far from over. And as the endurance sport world continues to evolve, there’s no doubt he’ll be at the forefront, leading the way.
“It’s about understanding the athlete’s strengths and weaknesses and building a plan around that,” he continues. “It’s about creating a program that allows them to be the best they can be, both physically and mentally. And it’s about pushing them to reach new heights, even when they may doubt themselves.”
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for the sport, Henderson has cultivated a reputation as one of the top coaches in triathlon. His ability to develop talent and maximize performance has led to numerous successes for his athletes, both on the national and international stage.
As he continues to push the boundaries of coaching and explore new opportunities in the sport, one thing remains constant: his unwavering dedication to helping athletes achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. And with each new challenge and each new triumph, Henderson solidifies his legacy as a true pioneer in the world of triathlon coaching.
I want to help her find that next level.”
As for Kanute, Henderson sees potential for improvement in different areas. “Ben has a great skill set but hasn’t yet gotten the results he’s capable of,” he says. “I think there’s more in there, both in terms of performance and consistency. It’s about putting the pieces together in the right way.”
With his experience and expertise, Neal Henderson is poised to take on the challenge of coaching these elite triathletes to even greater heights. And with his philosophy of maximizing strengths, building confidence, and prioritizing recovery, there’s no doubt that Sodaro and Kanute are in good hands.
Sé más de Ben por ser un competidor con [Henderson-entrenado] Cam Dye en distancia olímpica sin drafting, y sé que es un gran competidor que se presenta el día de la carrera listo para dar lo mejor de sí”. Ambos atletas tienen familias jóvenes, donde Henderson, padre de dos hijos, puede empatizar: “Esa es su mayor prioridad, y yo soy lo suficientemente mayor como para haber aprendido que también es una alta prioridad para mí. Si son buenos atletas pero no buenas personas, no me interesa”. Vuelve a una cita del inspirador John Wooden, transmitida por el propio entrenador universitario de Wooden, Piggy Lambert: “La gente le preguntaba sobre el éxito de su equipo, y él respondía: ‘Pregúntame en 20 años y veremos qué tan exitosos son estos chicos. Entonces podré decirte si tuve éxito como entrenador’”.