Recommended Coaches

At SWVA Running, we believe great coaching isn’t just about mileage and splits, but about movement with meaning.

The coaches we recommend share our philosophy:

that running can be both a physical pursuit and a path to personal growth, resilience, and connection.

These coaches value balance over burnout, sustainability over speed, and the belief that the trails teach us just as much about life as they do about racing. Whether you’re chasing your first 5K, preparing for an ultra, or rediscovering joy after injury, our trusted coaches meet you where you are and help you grow from there.

Meet Our Partners in Progress

Our recommended coaches represent a spectrum of specialties, from first-time trail runners to seasoned ultramarathoners, from strength and mobility specialists to nutrition and recovery experts.

Each coach shares our mission:

to help runners in Southwest Virginia and beyond build strength, confidence, and community — one mindful mile at a time.

Alyx Barnett

Alyx Barnett ND is a fitness and run coach, health consultant, and community health advocate who brings a passion for full family and community wellness.

Alyx is a passionate lifelong learner, who holds special interests in herbalism, foraging, gardening, and sustainable nutritional practices for her family as well as others. In her spare time she is usually gardening, beekeeping, or adventuring in the Appalachian mountains, usually in the form of ultra running or gravel cycling.

Professionally, Alyx has been coaching others for 20 years to revitalize their fitness and nutritional outlooks to match their lifelong and athletic goals. As a runner, Alyx is most curious about FKT and friendship adventure runs. She finds the nuanced, often “overlooked” aspects of running to be those that can potentially redirect long term health and commitment to the sport. As a distance and competitive runner for over 30 years, she is hopeful to continue to be an advocate that everyone is deserving and capable of finding health and peace in the outdoors.

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Jeff Winchester

Jeff Winchester is a UESCA-certified coach in both Running and Ultra Running, as well as a Level 2 TrainingPeaks coach dedicated to helping runners of all backgrounds build strength, confidence, and longevity in the sport. His coaching philosophy centers on sustainable training, long-term health, and cultivating a genuine love for running...no matter your starting point.

Jeff’s running journey began at age 39, sparked by personal health concerns and a simple, brave goal: run one mile. That first mile was challenging and imperfect, but it opened the door to an entirely new life. Since then, Jeff has completed marathons and ultras across multiple distances and discovered firsthand the power of resilience, community, and showing up consistently.

Today, Jeff blends certified expertise with lived experience to guide runners through every stage of their journey, whether you’re lacing up for the first time, preparing for your first trail race, or stepping confidently into the world of ultras. As co-host of the Blueprint to Ultra podcast, he also brings an educational, accessible approach to training that empowers athletes to dream bigger while staying grounded in sustainable practices.

Jeff believes it’s never too late to start, and nothing is out of reach when training aligns with your life, strengths, and goals. From your first 5K to your first 50K, 50-miler, 100-miler, or beyond, Jeff is committed to supporting your long-term journey...one intentional mile at a time.

Learn more about Jeff: jwultrarunning.com

Shannon Mick

Shannon is a mindset and mental wellness coach for endurance runners and ultrarunners.

On the side, she is a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor in PA, running her own private practice. She's also an assistant run coach to Coach Kyle Kranz.

Mindset and mental wellness coaching is a non-clinical service and Shannon can work with anyone in the U.S.

She teams up with people who want to address concerns including anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders.

Shannon loves to help people dig into their mindset, improve race performance, and boost mental well-being, in general.

You can learn more about Shannon and connect with her on her website:

https://finishstrongermindsetcoaching.com/