VANTAGE POINT ENDURANCE - Key Persons
The thought, "Well, this is it, my triathlon days are over." has crossed my mind more than once in my 20 years of being a triathlete. The first time was when I went to West Point, knowing that I would now be devoted to the rigorous schedule of balancing academics, military duties, and a member of the cross country and track team. Yet when I graduated and took my commission as an Engineer Officer and posted to Fort Hood, somehow I found myself on a bike again, riding through training sites, passing tanks at lunch time. Then the deployment orders came down: it was time to go to war in Baghdad and suddenly swim, bike, run didn't seem all that important.
The irony is this monumental milestone in my life brought me even closer to triathlon. Post deployment I found comfort and peace returning back into training, giving my mind a break from all that a deployment to a combat zone for 14 months entails. However, having twins just 2 years after I returned presented the biggest challenge to my triathlon days. A difficult pregnancy, 6 weeks of bedrest, emergency c-section, and then 2 premature babies that required round the clock feeding to try to fatten up a bit. Yet there I was, a few months later, on my trainer while they napped knowing that deep down I believed I could do it. Sure I was 30 pounds over race weight, exhausted out of my mind, and knee deep in poopy diapers. I wasn't ready to give up on myself just quite yet.
3 professional Ironman 70.3 victories later, multiple Ironman and 70.3 podiums, a guide for the Paralympics in Rio for triathlon-10 years after having Rowan and Gwyn I can say my proudest accomplishment is refusing to believe it can't be done while raising kids that I'm so incredibly proud of.
While I have my share of podiums in the world of triathlon and sports, I don't believe that raw talent alone will take you to Kona. This is why at its core, my coaching style is based on the foundation of building resilient athletes. Anyone who masters resilience can achieve their dreams. Because lets face it, if you don't know how to pick yourself up during the hard times, you'll never really taste the true satisfaction of success.
Samantha began running at the age of 13 and from there it has evolved into so much more. It was a sport which didn't come easy like it does for many elite runners but through the years her hard work and dedication paid off. Samantha followed her passion to college at Western Michigan University where she was originally recruited for the 800/1500 meters but eventually found her niche in the 5,000/10,000 meter distance.
After college, Samantha knew her running days weren't close to being over and found a local Houston running group in 2012. From there, she decided to move up in distance to the half marathon. That is when the dream of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (2:45 or faster) became that much closer. "Once I noticed that my half marathon time was so close to qualifying for the B standard of the Trials, I knew that qualifying is what I was determined to do."
As she began training for the marathon, she realized just how important sticking to the plan was. From nutrition, hydration, sleep, hard miles, easy miles, long runs, short runs, strength training, and listening to her body, all played a vital role in getting from the start to the finish.
After realizing this, Samantha knew that all things running and training were something else she was passionate about and helping people reach their own goals on the roads and in the gym. Starting out as a private personal trainer, Samantha then decided to join forces with Vantage Point Endurance in 2017 where coaches of the same mindset and skills had the same goal, to provide clients with the absolute best service and a premier coaching experience to all skill levels.
Since then, Samantha has had two children, lived internationally the past 4 year and returned back to The Woodlands ready to help others reach their full potential. With all this experience, Sam knows the trials of fitting training in between being a mother, wife and making sure she puts her health as a priority.
She hopes to once again qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials (a 2:37 of faster is needed) and help others reaches their full potential.
"I feel that having been through what feels like everything, injury set backs, juggling family, friends and my own personal needs, I am able to give a unique perspective and understanding that not every day is going to be a perfect training day. Getting to a goal takes time, patience, flexibility and determination. Running, training and people are something that changes frequently so I make sure I am constantly learning. Not everyone benefits from training the same way so it's important to me that I find what best helps each individual."
Coach Zach Miller has competed in endurance sports for over 15 years, competing at distances from the 800m to Ironman to Ultra Marathons. Zach started triathlon as a senior in college, while progressing from "just surviving" the swim with back stroke to now a consistent podium finisher, he is now looking to help others find fun and excitement in the sport that has changed his life.
Zach's racing resume as a triathlete includes USA Triathlon All American, ITU Long Course Triathlon Age Group World Champion, Multiple Time Ironman Podium Finisher, IM 70.3 Worlds Qualifier, Multiple time BFC finisher.
Zach also ran cross country & track both in high school and at Florida Institute of Technology, NCAA Division 2. Zach is always looking for the next big endurance challenge to take himself to the next level, he is a World's Toughest Mudder Finisher(24 hour endurance race).
Zach's has coached athletes of all abilities; first time triathlon finishers and first time Ironman finishers, podium finishers at all distances from sprints to Ironman's, and Ironman World Championship Qualifier. Zach has the ability to coach all type of athletes and treats each athlete with an individual approach. No 2 athletes are coached the same way.
Zach is a USAT Certified Official. Zach coaches runners and triathletes of all abilities and ages. Zach takes into consideration family, work and other hobbies to create a customized training plan to fit your every need. As a engineer by day, Zach is always looking into the newest technology and practices to help his clients with success. If your just starting out or looking to set a new PR, Zach has the experience and knowledge to help you reach your goals!