Coaches

WannaTri is the collective coaching effort of husband and wife, Seth Nickerson & Sarah Simons. We’ve each completed multiple Ironman races, and have enjoyed competing at shorter distances as well.

As busy professionals we understand the time-crunching demands most adult athletes face.  We’ve found success balancing jobs, family, training and racing, and look forward to helping you do the same. Coaching and triathlon are our passions.

Both Sarah and Seth are USA Triathlon Level I certified coaches.

Seth Nickerson

When I am not training or racing, I work as a consultant for iCrossing, a global search marketing firm owned by Hearst Communications.

I grew up in Idaho with a love for the outdoors. I lived to mountain bike, snowboard, and play soccer. My first exposure to triathlon was watching those first epic Ironman races on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

While I’ve been pedaling bicycles for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t until a senior at Washington State University, that I discovered running.  I remember my first few runs as being incredibly tough, but I always looked forward to the next one.

Shortly after I graduated, I moved to Portland, Oregon. It was here I bought my first bike and rode whenever I had the time, no matter the weather. At this time I also began competing regularly in running and road cycling events.

My multisport career began in 2006 when I moved from Oregon to Scottsdale. The first event I ever competed in was the Fountain Mountain Olympic triathlon (last one held), and I was hooked!

I have found triathlon to be an incredibly rewarding addition to my life, and now I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the athletes I have the privilege to work with.

Sarah Simons

Growing up in Colorado, I spent a lot of time hiking.  In junior high, I began cross country running.  Although not particularly fast, I was the team metronome and took to heart my coach’s advice that when I got older I should look at doing longer distances including a marathon as I might be better suited for long course.

After completing several marathons, I started to look for something a bit longer.  My choices were ultra distance marathons or a half ironman.  Hence my introduction into multisports.  Since 2005, I’ve focused on the long course triathlon distances.

I don’t remember I time when I couldn’t swim, including getting my scuba certification at 14, though I never swam competitively as a child.  Coming into competitive open water swimming as an adult has given me perspective on how to teach first time triathletes how to achieve a solid swim time even with a late start.

Whether it’s helping someone complete their first 5K, their first open water swim, or shave time off another Ironman, I have found coaching and helping others embrace a healthier lifestyle to be an incredibly rewarding experience.