Coach Profile: Mateo Mercur
Mateo Mercur has been a professional triathlon coach for nearly 15 years. From 2006 through 2016 he was the Head Coach of the University of California Santa Barbara Triathlon Team. Mateo has trained three Age Group World Champions, an Age Group WC Silver Medalist, and the Ironman Maryland Women's Champion. Based in Boulder, Colorado Mateo speaks English and Spanish.
Description of Mateo Mercur
I began my coaching career as a swim coach in 1997. I’ve been coaching triathlon since 2003. In the spring of 2016 I completed my tenth year as Head Coach of the University of California Santa Barbara Triathlon Team. For nearly two decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a full range of athletes across the disciplines and distances. I’ve coached three Age Group World Champions, one at each distance; Olympic, 70.3, and Ironman, as well as the 2014 Ironman Maryland Champion. I use heart rate and pace along with power and feel to optimize performance in training and racing. My approach places a strong emphasis on technique, mental focus, and specificity of purpose in order to maximize each training session, week, block, and phase. In 2014 I earned a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, and I’m currently developing my thesis, Attachment Based Coaching: Neuroscience and the Integration of Heart and Soul in Sport, into a book for coaches and athletes. Building a strong coach-athlete relationship is an essential part of my approach to coaching. Whether an athlete is in my daily squad, at a training camp, or coached from distance, building quality communication and trust are key to that athlete’s success. I look forward to helping you achieve your triathlon and fitness goals.
What have you achieved in your coaching career?
I was Head Coach of the University of Santa Barbara Triathlon Team from 2006 through 2016. I've trained three Age Group World Champions, and Age Group WC Silver Medalist, and the Ironman Maryland Women's Champion.
Why do you work with Trisutto?
I’ve been involved in the sport of triathlon for my entire life, starting as a junior, racing as an elite professional, and now full-time coaching. I tailor training for both newcomers and experienced veterans. Under my guidance, the University of California Santa Barbara Triathlon Team has consistently placed in the top ten at USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships. I first met Coach Sutton at a training camp in Cozumel while preparing my own athlete for the Ironman there. I felt an immediate affinity for Brett’s coaching style and the Trisutto.com training methodology. I aim to be the best coach I can be and look forward to developing my High Performance and Age Group program in partnership with the world’s strongest triathlon coaching team.
