Today we’d like to introduce you to Meg Stolt.
Hi Meg, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began in grad school, when I started coaching runners in swimming. Many of these wanted to race in triathlon. I was studying Sports Health Science and training for various races. Coaching complimented that. As I pursued work in Sports Medicine related fields, I found myself returning to coaching. Fast forward, I was able to found OtterTriTeam (youth and high school team) and PinkOtters (women’s team) and privately coach for triathlon, swim and run.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think anything I have done has been easy. There could be a clear path around the mountain, and I will choose to take the hardest route possible. It must be how I am wired.
Challenges along the way have included finding my place and embracing it. I fought it every single step. Because at that time, I wanted to explore other opportunities. When I stopped fighting, and learned to enjoy the process, I found it flowed.
One big hurdle is pool space. Houston has too few pools, organizations that aren’t open to rentals or contractors, and the pools that do are over-booked. It can be an unwelcoming scenario.
Another challenge is building relationships with high schools. I have a USA Triathlon sanctioned high school team. Athletic Directors seem to be closed to new opportunities for their athletes, because triathlon is not yet in the conferences as a recognized sport, I am open to working with kids who want to race, while they run and swim for their schools. We are not in competition. We need to learn to build that symbiotic relationship, especially since triathlon is now an NCAA women’s sport.
Other challenges stem from the culture that was adopted, that triathlon is a single race held for kids in the Spring, And while the Houston Kids Triathlon does create an opportunity for kids to try a new sport, triathlon is much bigger than a single race. Kids (and parents) need to be open to exploring the sport, especially if it is enjoyed, There are several teams in the Houston area, and we would love to meet new kids.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Me: triathlon coach, swim instructor, run coach, athletic development coach, adjunct professor, and mom to five cats.
The majority of my work encompasses sports and performance. Guiding others to set and achieve goals. That many of my roles, or the hats I wear, are intertwined. In triathlon, it is the merging of three sports into one. And there are many facets of it, which creates many opportunities throughout the year.
In these roles, I get to help people sort through the information noise and determine their path. Whether I am dissecting fitness nonsense in my weight training class, or helping a new runner determine how to eat before or after the race, I am guiding a light for the path. The information available is incredible, and it can be overwhelming to anyone. Being able to sort through it, is valuable.
I am probably most recognized for my work with kids. My Otters are a unique group. It is fun teaching these kids, and building a team culture. They hold each other accountable and set high standards. And are encouraging to one another. And then we do silly stuff like made up tag where everyone is IT, and everyone can be tagged. All because I wanted everyone to run, without thinking they were running. To see these kids during the week, brings me joy.
I would say one of my proudest moments was seeing the vision of the Youth Team come to fruition.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
For someone starting a new adventure, my advice is to begin. We tend to become paralyzed with all the possibilities and information and can become frozen. No progress is made by not launching. Take a step forward. You can take a step back or a side step as your business evolves. It is OK to take a pause. But you have to move forward.
Find people you can trust: People who may not be within your inner circle who can provide business direction/advice, or those you can bounce ideas off of, who can help you clarify your vision.
The biggest thing I have learned is to enjoy the process. Regardless of how overwhelming or frustrating it can be, sitting between the now and the not yet, enjoy the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: OtterTriTeam.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachbatmeg
