TESTIMONIALS

When I first started working with John 18 months ago, I had the dream of completing a full distance Ironman. Looking back now, I honestly do not think I would have achieved it without him.

For the first six months, while I was living in Perth, we worked together face to face. He gave me 1:1 swim coaching, was present for my entire first FTP test and helped me with my substandard running technique! When I moved back to the UK, we moved to remote coaching, but despite being on opposite sides of the world, I never once felt unsupported.

My Ironman journey was anything but smooth. I was injured throughout much of the preparation, and there were plenty of moments when I doubted whether I would even make it to the start line. Every time I had a new setback, he adapted my training programme without fuss and with complete confidence. More importantly, when my belief in myself wavered, his belief never did. He always found a way to keep me moving forwards.

As a doctor working shifts, life is unpredictable and challenging. Somehow, John always found a way to make the programme work around my life rather than expecting my life to revolve around training. No problem ever felt too big, and no question ever felt like an inconvenience. Whether it was a training concern, an injury setback, or a bike emergency, he was always there at the end of the phone.

What started as a coach-athlete relationship became so much more. He knew exactly when to encourage me, when to challenge, and when to tell me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear. He is knowledgeable, adaptable, honest and incredibly supportive, but above all he genuinely cares about the people he coaches.

Crossing that Ironman finish line was one of the greatest moments of my life. It was the culmination of years of dreaming and 18 months of hard work, sacrifice and perseverance. While I was the one who crossed the line, I never felt as though I achieved it alone. He was part of every swim session, every bike ride, every run, every setback and every long training day.

I owe him more than I can properly put into words. He did not just help me complete an Ironman; he helped me achieve a lifelong dream. He shared the journey with me from start to finish and helped me discover that I was capable of more than I ever thought possible.

I can truly say at the end of this journey he had become a friend. I hope our paths cross again one day because people like him are rare. If I ever decide to take on another challenge like this, there is absolutely no question who I would want beside me. He would be my first call.

Thank you for helping me achieve one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. It is something I will never forget.

Luke F. – IM hamburg 07/06/2026

I have known John Hallis for approximately 4 years. Initially, it was through my involvement with Fremantle Triathlon Club and John coaching some of their swim sessions. I also attended John’s Race Simulation weekends in Busselton in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

At the beginning of 2025, I began my journey towards Ironman in December of that year, and signed up with John as my coach. It proved to be one of the most fulfilling years of my life. I once said to John “If you get me through this Ironman, you’re a genius” and get me through, he did!

John gives 110 percent to his athletes and coaching commitments. His plans are structured around an athlete’s goals and capabilities,taking into account life outside of training. I am a shift worker so this wasn’t always easy, but John made it work. He promotes strong communication and always listens to his athletes’ concerns, fears, addressing injuries, as well as a huge focus on mental health and promoting strength in this area. John would regularly send out podcasts to listen to which I always enjoyed and found very useful.

Before training plans were sent out, John would check in on how an athlete was feeling, both physically and mentally and adjust the training plan accordingly. His plans are very personalised.

I found John to be an open, honest, caring and extremely supportive person, always striving to get the very best out of his athletes.

I loved having the structure to my training week and the relief of knowing John was always there to answer my questions, no matter how silly they seemed. He conducted several bike fits throughout the year and even came to my house to set up my indoor trainer. He goes above and beyond.

Regular face-to-face meetings were also a feature of John’s coaching plan and I would be shown a lot of data and graphs indicating my improvement in speed and endurance. All I ever had to do was follow the plan, knowing John was taking care of the rest.

I highly recommend John as a coach and mentor and am pleased to say that I am also continuing with John in 2026, as I look to improve on my performance in the Busselton Ironman in December.

John helped me train for my first Ironman 70.3 for 8 months. When I first met John I could barely swim 100m in the pool without panicking and being out of breath. With a lot of coaching and drills he helped me to be able to swim over 3.5km in the pool and eventually completing the sea swim in the ironman event! Throughout the process he gave me great advice on what training equipment would be best to use and the correct ways to use them along with progressively building my endurance on the road bike - which I hadn’t used before either. He’s more than happy to train alongside you too and help you through certain workouts. Would highly recommend anyone wanting to work with John as he is very helpful and certainly knows his stuff whether its equipment, training or nutrition on race day. Thanks John for all the help! 

John is a brilliant, calm and very knowledgeable coach. I contacted him for swim coaching when an injury paused my trail running, and he listened completely to my goals and was very supportive while sorting out (initially hopeless!) technique. I wasn’t a swimmer AT ALL when I met John, but can now comfortably go out and swim lengths of the bay with friends in the ocean, which had just been a dream when I moved to Australia. He can clearly coach at the highest level but even when the goal is not an epic race he is also soo helpful and patient. Would highly recommend.

John has been an incredible help to prepare for my first Half Ironman 70.3 distance last October 2020. Before this event I have never done any kind of triathlon and John went above and beyond to ensure I am mentally and physically in top shape for the event. With his one on one coaching and his "we can do this" attitude I felt 110% supported and prepared. Not only did we go to the race course together twice (!!!) beforehand but he even made the effort to call my parents (from AUSTRIA) when I crossed the finish line to ensure I have all the support I need even though they couldn't be there physically due to COVID. I cannot imagine a better coach!!!

John is one of the best coaches that I have dealt with!! Extremely knowledgeable, friendly and with great connections within the triathlon game John has personalized his coaching for me personally. I had done endurance mountain bike events, road cycling and Crossfit but never felt capable of completing a Half Ironman especially because of the swim, John provides the support and resources to get you to the finish line. I have Crossfit still worked into my weekly plan so that I can stay in contact with my Crossfit community, whilst John has provided group training wherever possible so I am meeting/training with heaps of great triathletes who are all on the journey with me.
Awesome work John. Legend :)

I met John in October 2020 after meeting in the gym and not long after signed on to complete my first triathlon, the Busselton 70.3 IRONMAN in May 2021.

I found John’s coaching methods very effective and enjoyable. At the beginning of training I completed a blood lactate test, Bike Fit, Inscyd (Threshold power) Bike Test, and running technique assessment; which helped John personalise the training exactly to my needs using a range of different programs and softwares. We had fortnightly coffee catch ups that were invaluable in making sure I was on track for my goal and he was always available for a quick call if I ever needed the plan adjusted or explained.

Since starting with John, it has always been apparent how truly committed he is to his coaching and athletes; you can tell he genuinely wants you to achieve your goals and is willing to go the extra mile to help you get there. This came in the form of a proper race day simulation where the team traveled to Busselton to train on the real course, a ‘transition practice’ for everyone to learn the best transition techniques for race day, extra meetings to create a ‘Race Day Plan’ and much more. For anyone looking for triathlon (or run/bike/swim training individually) coaching I would highly recommend John, he is attentive, committed and will help you achieve your goals while enjoying the process along the way.

Overall Rating 5/5 Communication 10/10 Patience 10/10 Creativity 10/10

I'm a weak swimmer. I did not grow up near the ocean or swim in the pool much. I'm not great at running or cycling but I get by. I contacted John 8 weeks before my first ever triathlon, the Ironman 70.3 in Busselton. I explained that I could not even manage 200m continuous swimming in the pool without being breathless and my heart racing uncontrollably.

John met on the same day we touched based, looked at my technique in the pool and was honest with me. He told me I got a lot of work to do but if we plan it right I would be ready by race day. He coach me weekly in the pool and in the open water. He tailored my training plan focusing on swimming but not neglecting the run and the cycle.

There were days that I doubted myself but John kept motivating and reminding me that I can. 8 weeks went by and I was still the slowest swimmer in the swim squad that John recommended I joined. We planned for me to complete the swim on race day by 60mins giving myself a 10min grace. However, on race day, I was out of the water at 48m 37s. I was ecstatic. The rest of the race was challenging but John kept motivating me every time I pass by him. I completed my very first triathlon ever in my life and that would have not been possible without the help of this great man.

Thank you coach for your guidance! If you guys are looking for a coach, look no further. To the start line. John will get you there!

Overall Rating 5/5 Communication 10/10 Patience 10/10 Creativity 10/10

“I am in the midst of training for my first triathlon, the Port Macquarie 70.3. I was introduced to John by a fellow triathlete and he certainly has not disappointed. John coaches me remotely from his home base in Perth all the way to me in sunny Manchester UK! My experience of triathlon is 0, and despite this John has been on hand for all my questions and any help I have needed outside of my training as well as during my training. In reference to training itself John is incredibly understanding of my situation and having a full time job and young children and his attention to detail in getting the most from the little time I have is a godsend. The training is varied and John has kept it interesting throughout, especially seeing as poor weather conditions have left me bound to my turbo trainer! By all accounts if you are looking for a coach who will get you excited to train, getting the most from your sessions, hitting your race day targets and more importantly who goes the extra mile at every given opportunity then look no further. John is your man! To top it all off he is a genuinely nice bloke to boot!”

Overall Rating 5/5 Communication 10/10 Patience 10/10 Creativity 10/10

I have known John for 22 years having worked together at the same company. As a bit of a couch potato, I watched John from the safety of the lounge as he embarked on his fitness regime - initially with his swimming and then triathlon. His journey was one that inspired me over time to do something about my health and fitness. I began my own journey three years ago focusing initially on walking and eating well to lose the weight that I had gained over many years of sedentary desk work.

After losing 12kg, a friend literally dragged me to this thing called a “ParkRun” - something I had never heard of before. My initial response was “I don’t run” which was met with a laugh and plenty of ribbing. I did the run in something like 39 minutes in a sort of shuffle/run/walk style and was exhausted. The funny thing is I went back again the next week, and the next week and so on. I have now completed 44 ParkRuns with a best time of 25.06 and am looking to do more.

About a year ago, the same friend who dragged me to ParkRun suggested we try another challenge - triathlon. As a non-swimmer, I certainly had to question this one, but we leapt in with little to no plan and have now completed several enticed length tri’s - even getting a podium finish in my last one with the help of another coach guiding me.

John and I had been in regular contact during this time and I watched with awe his journey to Ironman - wondering one day if I could do the same. John and I are the same age and I though with the right support and hard work I might one day be able to do a longer distance tri. John offered to mentor me on my journey and we engaged with a more formalised coaching relationship about a year ago.

Unfortunately I suffered a torn rotator cuff early in our relationship which kept me out of the pool for an extended period. John was able to build a program for me that allowed a stronger focus on weight training, running and cycling to keep my fitness and strength improving whilst my shoulder healed. In the last few weeks I have now made a return to the pool and have begun the work to get myself ready for a program of longer triathlons over the next few months, building towards doing regular sprint distance tri’s and being competitive in my age group.

John’s coaching style is one that I respond too well. He is patient and knowledgeable and is in it for the long haul, not just the transaction. John spends time getting to know his athletes not just as clients, but as human beings with other responsibilities such as work and family. He listens to your concerns about how to balance work, life, training and family and build plans with you that make sense and at the same time keep you completely interested and motivated to perform well.

John’s own experience as an athlete has translated extremely well into his coaching and for mature, late age athletes, his style works exceptionally well.

I can only highly recommend John to any athlete - experienced ones, new ones, young ones and mature ones. John is flexible, a great communicator and will definitely help you improve whatever discipline you are looking to improve. Take the opportunity to call John - you won’t regret it.

Overall Rating 5/5 Communication 10/10 Patience 10/10 Creativity 10/10

“When John started coaching me, I had done a couple of Enticer level triathlons. while I completed these I always struggled a little and was not dedicated to any particular training. John was referred to me by a friend. 5 months after beginning with John I completed my first sprint triathlon. I wont say it was easy but I completed the event and felt really good afterwards. John's coaching style, encouragement and patience has helped me to improve out of sight. I have now just entered another Sprint distance, Half Marathon and Olympic distance triathlon. Having John as a coach also makes me feel accountable to someone on those days when I think it is too hard or I am too tired. I think to myself I don't want to let John's efforts go to waste so I get out in the water or on the road and am always happy I did. If anyone is looking for a coach whether you are doing your first entry level event or competing at Kona, I would highly recommend John Hallis.”

Overall Rating 5/5 Communication 10/10 Patience 10/10 Creativity 10/10