Rhys Desmond

Training Theory & Coaching

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  • The untold story of my hiatus from football

    You might be wondering why I’ve written one article for the entirety of January so far on TheMastermindSite.com. You might not have even noticed, or you might be here for the first time wondering why you should stay. Well, first, I’ll take you back to my childhood.

  • The #1 way to excel as a coach/leader

    As part of the attendance to every class I teach, I like to ask a thought-provoking question that students reflect upon. Reflection is one of the most valuable assets a coach can possess, as it allows them to continuously refine and rethink their practices for the better. One of my favourite questions to ask when…

  • Hidden Gem #1: The impasse

  • The impasse

    I started cooking for my family at the age of 18. I’d just completed first year at the University of Waterloo, and under the guidance of the expansive menus in residence, I became inspired. As soon as I left residence, finally had a kitchen again, and returned home to my parents, I became obsessed. I…

  • How to stay conscious when you drown

    I have often found that the end of one year is often the best time to reflect on what you’d like to see change for the following year. At the end of 2022, I found myself in a wintery blue rut, feeling a lack of purpose, and more gravely, a true sense of self. I…

  • The toughest Strava segments in Ontario

    Trail running in Ontario is severely underrated. We have so much to offer when it comes to technical terrain, punchy climbs up and down, and stunning views across the province. While we might not have the mountainous mountains of BC, Quebec or Alberta, Ontario certainly has much to offer in providing a fun home for…

  • Essential traits of successful coaches and leaders

    Truth be told, there are millions of checklist items that help to form a successful coach, mentor, or leader. But at the bare bones of it all, successful leadership ultimately comes down to a focus on social relationships.

  • Why The Bad Thing is the most difficult 50K in Ontario

    The Bad Thing 50K is one of the most difficult trail races in Ontario. No runner on the men’s side has ever run under 4 hours, and none in the women’s field have run under 5 hours. Here are a few reasons why the day makes for such a difficult trip.

  • The best trail running & ultra races in Ontario

    Here are the best trail & ultra races for runners in Ontario!

  • The Bad Thing 50K – Race Recap – Racing Smarter, Not Harder

    I almost quit running altogether. From 2009 to 2018, I did well in school. But I struggled to be smart when it came to running. After hitting the final straw with a torn hamstring in 2018, I took four years to fall back in love with the sport. Normally love like this would be doomed…