ABOUT

Since 2021, I have been working with both professional and semi-pro athletes and coaches across the sports industry. I’ve done consultation work for professional soccer clubs, coaches and agents, in addition to high-performance coaching and analysis for professional players.

Currently, I coach six trail and mountain runners toward their goals — including some of the top 50K and 50-mile athletes in Quebec and Ontario.

I hold an academic background in Sport Management & Leadership, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and Psychology. I’ve taught Coaching & Leadership at Western University across four semesters, and bring over a decade of experience leading recreation programs for children and youth.

I understand how to make meaningful, lasting impacts in the lives of others — and I’d love to be a part of your development path.

Reach out at rhysdesmond.com or send me an email via rhys@themastermindsite.com.

Trail Running & Marathon Coaching

$95 CAD per month!

I work with runners of all abilities, helping you take your potential to the next level, while enjoying your time on the trails (or roads!) in the process.

I work with athletes who podium the biggest races in Canada, to athletes finishing among the best in their age group, to athletes looking to complete their first 50K, marathon or trail race.

Meanwhile, I’m a top 1% worldwide athlete in the sport myself, working toward my own high-performance goals.

I want to help you to reach your goals, for an affordable price.

_{This includes…}

✅ An adaptive training plan based on the realities of your life and your specific needs.

✅ Feedback and open dialogue on every single training run and race. Responsive communication via text or email whenever you need.

✅ North American specific knowledge ~ Helping you prepare for races across Canada and the United States.

✅ Proven success as an athlete & coach, providing expert insights into mentality, nutrition, recovery, and racing.

Why Rhys?

I come from a decade of coaching experience, and two decades of running experience at the high-end of the sport.

MENTAL SKILLS

Specializing in…

-> Positive psychology
-> Perfectionism
-> Confidence
-> Life outside of running

SPORTS PERFORMANCE

-> Speed development
-> Trail-specific development
-> Optimal training and optimal recovery strategies for your circumstances in life

Testimonials

Rhys has been such an awesome coach to work with! He’s super flexible and always quick to respond whenever I have questions or need to make changes. You can tell he genuinely cares about helping you succeed. I’m really grateful for all his help in reaching my goals for this season!

— Laurence L.

I am 56 years old, living in very flat Ontario. I only started running regularly in the summer of 2025. Prior to working with Rhys I had competed in just two 5K races. After 16 weeks of training, I ran the Mourne Skytrail and came third in my age group, beating my original goal by a full hour. Through a constant feedback loop in which I was able to give nuanced and accurate assessments of my running, Rhys was able to build an evolving plan that targeted my specific needs.

— Ivan L.

WEEKLY TRAINING PLAN, DAILY FEEDBACK

$95 CAD / MONTH

Not just a training plan, but one that adapts to your schedule, with daily feedback and communication. My aim is to help you grow closer to your true potential as a runner, while enjoying the process along the way, and connecting you with all the resources you need to succeed.

I WORK WITH…

✅ Professional and elite trail runners competing for podium finishes and national team places.

✅ Busy working professionals + parents with demanding schedules that still want to show up strong and reinforce their love of running.

✅ Post-collegiate athletes making the transition into road running or trail running.

✅ Athletes working toward their first 50K, marathon, or trail race.

Reach out to Rhys!

Think I can help? Reach out for a free ‘get started’ call.

You can also follow me and my work on social media:

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Thank you for your response. ✨

Current Location: North Vancouver, BC
Brand: XACT Nutrition
Distances: Short-Trail / 50K / Sub-Ultra

Strava: Rhys Desmond | Profile
UltraSignup: Results
ITRA: Results

2026

🥉(AG 25-29) Royal Victoria Marathon
4️⃣ Whistler Half Marathon
5️⃣ Run Ridge Run 25K
9️⃣ Squamish 23K

2025

4️⃣ Javelina Jackass 31K
4️⃣ Trail Coureur des Bois de Duchesnay 34K
6️⃣ Ultra-Trail Harricana 28K
6️⃣ Historic Half Marathon 21K
🔟 Gorge Waterfalls 30K

2024

🥇 Sulphur Springs 20K
🥈 Ultra-Trail Harricana 42K Classique
7️⃣ Quebec Mega Trail 50K
9️⃣ Gorge Waterfalls 50K
⏸️ Squamish 50K – National Championships

2023

🥇 The Bad Thing 50K
🥈 Falling Water Trail Marathon 42K
🥉 Sulphur Springs 50K

UTMB: UTMB Index

Race-Day Mantra:

✅ Be smart.
✅ Work hard.
✅ Have fun.

MY STORY

At the most basic level, I strive to center my life around fun and fulfillment, and endeavour to create experiences for others that meet that same criteria.

I know the power that sports or recreation programs can have in the lives of other people, and I strive to make a positive difference for those that I work with, helping them develop both as people and within the bounds of the sport/program.

I’ve witnessed both the good and the bad of coaches and leaders in all kinds of settings, and I know that the number one way to achieve success is to have the people that you work with want to continuously come back, whether that be the next day, week or year. If those that I’m working with continuously want to return, and are feeling like it’s both fun and fulfilling to them from a personal growth standpoint, I know that I’m doing my job.

As a result, I focus on the power of connections on an individual level, even within team environments, as I understand that each individual has a unique make-up centered around many different facets, and that I can attend to each individual’s needs to better their development. I find that in everything that I do, I like to keep it overarchingly positive, and always centered around growth whenever there is something that can improve. Ultimately, leadership is all about leading people toward where they want to go, not necessarily where you want them to go.

Within my written work on this website, I create pieces centered around how to be your best and how to help others do the same. Many of my articles center around personal development, coaching and leadership or trail running.

In my professional life through the work that I previously did on my first website (TheMastermindSite.com), I have coached and consulted for professional athletes, coaches, clubs, and a variety of sports professionals in various capacities, in addition to children, youth and adults of every age. I have continued to work with athletes and coaches in high-performance settings and/or trail running through this site, while training in the sport of trail running alongside the support of XACT Nutrition, currently boasting a top 0.4% athlete ranking worldwide based on my performances.

If you are interested in hearing more about how I can be part of your story, feel free to reach out.