DAVID KOPPEL

David is an endurance sport enthusiast, triathlete, coach, and married father of 3 wonderful kids. He’s a consultant in his day job and spends the rest of his time training, coaching, and doing things with his family. He is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is passionate about coaching people and supporting them. Training has become a part of his DNA and his daily workouts help him to balance the stresses and requirements of work and family life. Racing fuels his training, but he loves both for the chance it brings to catch up with friends, test himself, and learn.

When it comes to triathlon and endurance sports, David has found a way to approach the training as a science, observing and learning how fast athletes are succeeding, and also by looking at an athlete’s overall body of work from a practical, big-picture standpoint. David believe’s that his patient mindset allows him to be successful as a coach, as he understands that most gains are made with consistent work, and that reaps lasting benefits. That said, reaching one’s full potential is a long game. Consistency over years will lead most athletes to injury-free success and noticeable, continued growth as an athlete.

David’s coaching philosophy is summarized well by this quote: “The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the indispensable prerequisite for success.”

View my blog to read race recaps, or click here to see my racing results/resume, and learn more about me as an athlete.

About Julie

Julie Pagano

Julie became a triathlon coach to give back to others and help them achieve their goals. She finds nothing more rewarding than seeing an athlete cross a finish line they once thought was impossible, knowing she played a role in their journey.

Her own triathlon journey started small—a 5k, then a sprint triathlon—and grew over the years to include full-distance Ironman events. Julie genuinely loves the process of training and believes that each session is an opportunity to grow, improve, and discover what’s possible. This philosophy is captured in her motto: “Unlocking Potential, One Session at a Time.”

As a busy mom of two teenagers and a full-time IT professional, Julie understands the challenges of fitting training into an already packed schedule. She emphasizes balance and makes training both effective and fun, ensuring it aligns with her athletes’ lives.

Julie also has extensive experience working through injuries, something many athletes face during their journey. She continuously explores new training methodologies to create customized plans that meet the unique needs of each individual. Her coaching philosophy goes beyond the physical aspects of training, focusing on the mental strength needed to push through challenges and achieve success.

With her background as a mom and a project manager, Julie is skilled at helping athletes navigate their busy lives to develop sustainable plans for reaching their goals. Whether it’s completing a first race or chasing a personal best, she is committed to guiding and supporting her athletes every step of the way.

Brad Radkoski

Brad was David’s first coached athlete, and he’s been coached by David for almost 5 years. Brad has spent the last 15 years fully immersed in the world of triathlon and endurance sports, enthralled by what the human mind and body are capable of. Through this, he has developed a deep understanding of what drives performance and, more importantly, what sustains passion. His own journey includes qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, being a multiple-time qualifier for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships, qualifying for the Boston Marathon, and earning the famous big belt buckle at the Leadville 100 Ultra Run.

Brad’s coaching philosophy centers on empowering athletes to achieve their personal bests, no matter their experience level. His approach integrates smart training plans that are tailored to each individual’s unique needs, balancing life commitments with the demands of the sport, while minimizing injury risk. Brad prioritizes consistent effort, strategic recovery, and ensuring athletes not only succeed but also enjoy the hell out of the journey to the finish line.

Brad lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two active children, and he’s always scheming for the next big adventure. Other hobbies Brad enjoys while training for triathlons are skiing, backpacking with his family, fly fishing, and deer hunting.