In the realm of sports and fitness, victories are often measured by scores and statistics. But behind every triumphant athlete stands a coach whose influence transcends the scoreboard.
This National Sports & Fitness Month, we at Everfit are honored to spotlight four exceptional coaches who embody this ethos: Rylee Jade, Ifa Simmonds, Gabriel Floricel, and Ian McKay. Each of these individuals brings a unique perspective to coaching, emphasizing personal growth, resilience, and holistic development. Their stories illuminate how coaching, at its core, is about empowering others to realize their full potential, both on and off the field.
Rylee Jade
Rylee is an endurance coach and content creator with a passion for helping athletes push their limits. She specializes in running, triathlon, and strength training.
Rylee’s inspiration to become a sports coach emerged from her personal fitness journey. A woman of many talents, she cycled and played volleyball and soccer in college, all while running to build purpose and mental strength. Eventually, she saw fitness as a lifestyle and decided to share her passion and knowledge so her clients could also achieve their potential.
Her coaching philosophy is about enabling athletes to become the best versions of themselves. For her, the process involves more than “crossing the finish line or setting a new personal best” and instead relates to becoming more resilient and capable in life as a whole.
“The real impact comes from helping people embrace their journey, celebrate their progress, and find strength in overcoming challenges,” she explains.
Because of this, Rylee thinks personal trainers should be patient, empathetic, and adaptable when working with their clients. While no two athletes are the same, she believes consistency and effort always pay off and that understanding individuals’ strengths and weaknesses is essential.
For coaches expanding their training options during National Sports & Fitness Month, she recommends spending more time with clients to understand their goals, struggles, and motivations. She believes that effective coaching involves getting to know clients’ underlying personality behind the exercises and being there with them through successes and setbacks. For Rylee, training is about fostering a supportive environment that goes beyond mere drills.
Rylee loves using Everfit for her coaching practice because it lets her keep track of her clients’ progress with custom metrics. She enjoys how it shows her when they might need additional support or motivation, and when she can take a step back.
Ifa Simmonds
Ifa Simmonds is a performance coach and founder of the Equestrian Fitness Academy, an organization that helps horse riders build stability, suppleness, strength, and stamina both in and out of the saddle.
Ifa’s inspiration comes from his personal experience with the power of fitness and athleticism to transform lives. This process is something he saw in his mentors and himself, and is now an approach to life he wants to spread to people who aren’t necessarily fit, but who have potential.
For equestrian athletes, Ifa views holistic coaching as being as much about confidence and resilience as it is about strength. He believes in getting clients out of the saddle and using novel techniques to get them to trust themselves more.
“The body is only ONE component of the person,” he explains, “so I don’t just train the body. Instead, I coach the entire person.”
Because of this, he advises other trainers to get to know their rider clients as best as they can. The more they understand them, the more likely they will deliver services that offer lasting impact. Coaches can provide training that lets clients do what they want to do instead of learning things that don’t fit their event or personal requirements.
Ifa loves using Everfit’s Habit Coaching feature to enhance his coaching services. It allows him to support his riders beyond physical workouts, following other key parameters like hydration, mobility work, and mental preparation. The tool means he can now build consistency in his trainees that enables them to develop lasting habits and win competitions.
Ifa also enjoys Everfit’s Master Planner feature. This addition lets him check client progress weekly, ensuring nobody on his roster falls behind — something he recommends to other coaches.
Gabriel Floricel
Gabriel, founder of FLR Project, is a fitness and bodybuilding trainer with significant experience and one of the most interesting coach impact stories. He uses his passion to inspire others and change their lives for the better.
Gabriel’s experience in fitness and coaching began in 2010 when he became a coach. Since then, he has built his knowledge and become a source of information for the diverse clients who use his services, allowing him to help as many people as possible.
I always had the native ability to teach others since the first day I walked into the gym as an instructor,” he explains. “I found great satisfaction in that and in the learning process.”
Gabriel’s philosophy is that coaching is about the impact professionals have on others and the ideas they bring to the space. He believes that trainers with the greatest clarity offer the most value, especially given the contradictory information that dominates the industry.
Part of his success comes from his ability to adapt his training to individual clients. Gabriel fits exercises to their needs and style, and doesn’t believe in being rigid. Often, rapid progress is possible without taking a hardcore or regimented approach, if that’s what the client prefers.
Talking to coaches, he recommends they don’t rush things. Many instructors can see their client’s potential and try to force things. However, taking it slowly and allowing results to accumulate over time is a far better approach because it goes at the speed of the client.
Furthermore, he says that coaches should take time to learn. Becoming an expert isn’t something that happens overnight, but takes many weeks and months. Trainers shouldn’t aim to become influencers, he says, but masters of their craft, delaying gratification where possible.
Gabriel has been using Everfit for years and loves the improvements made to the platform over that time. His most important feature is the workout builder. He suggests using the app to build client assignments for them to complete before their next session. He also recommends the easy-to-use interface and using the onboard tools to track and supervise client progress.
Ian McKay
Ian McKay is a strength and performance coach and co-founder of RefleXion Studio with over 15 years of experience and a background in sports science. His goal is to help athletes move better, recover smarter, and perform with purpose.
Ian became a strength and conditioning coach when he saw how he could turn raw potential into results. Clients could transform across coaching sessions, he noticed, going from rank amateurs to people with flexible and robust bodies.
During his career as a trainer, Ian worked with countless individuals, from professional athletes to complete beginners. However, their stories were always the same: they were working hard but didn’t have a support structure in place to make real progress.
Because of this, Ian developed a philosophy of providing structure wherever possible. He sees himself as his clients’ backstop, always there for them when they need emotional support. This view emerged from his experiences.
“I’ve been shaped by incredible mentors — coaches, teachers, doctors, family — and the lessons they gave me are the foundation of how I now lead,” he says.
Of course, Ian understands better than most that coaching isn’t linear in sports or life. Earlier in his career, he believed that success meant having a perfect plan, but over the years, he’s found that it isn’t about control, but adaptability. Coaches who can “figure it out” as they go are more likely to succeed than those who think they know everything. There isn’t a playbook–just the ability to stay present in the process.
Setbacks and struggles as a coach have also taught Ian humility. He’s seen how credentials and experience don’t matter if you don’t listen to clients and understand what they want. His advice to other trainers is to avoid chasing impressiveness and simply focus on being useful. He cautions against professionals believing that they have all the answers, even if they think they know the science.
Everfit has helped Ian with his sports coaching and athlete development over the years. His favorite features are the habit tracking and daily check-ins, because these bring him into direct contact with his clients. He also says that training programs are important, particularly the things that happen between exercise sessions, including sleep routines, stress management, and nutrition at meal times. Everfit allows Ian to stay connected with athletes during National Sports & Fitness Month, enabling him to provide them with his iconic holistic support and guidance.
Wrapping Up
These coaches exemplify the profound impact that dedicated mentorship can have on individuals and communities. Through their commitment, they not only enhance athletic performance but also foster confidence, discipline, and a sense of purpose in those they guide.
At Everfit, we’re inspired by their journeys and the countless others who dedicate themselves to the betterment of others through coaching. As we celebrate National Sports & Fitness Month, let’s acknowledge and honor the coaches who shape lives beyond the game.
Ready to elevate your coaching game? Log in to Everfit today and explore the sports coaching tools that the four featured coaches love. From habit tracking to performance analytics, discover how Everfit can help you make a lasting impact on your athletes’ lives.
